Hansard Transcripts

Hansard Transcripts

Hansard Transcripts are the official report of what was said in the House of Assembly

Friday, March 7, 2025

Lina Hamid, NDP: RTA: Protections for IPV Survivors – Enhance

Minister Jill Balser’s response in a CBC news article: After spate of intimate partner violence, N.S. announces $24M for transition houses  ” Service Nova Scotia Minister Jill Balser told the legislature during question period that her department would consider the bill.

Later, after speaking with staff in her department, Balser told reporters there are provisions in the Residential Tenancies Act that provide protection for survivors of intimate partner and gender-based violence who want someone’s name removed from a lease.

The matter is covered by a portion of the act that deals with the reassignment of a lease.

“If the victim wants to have their partner removed [from the lease], that’s what a reassignment can do,” said Balser.

“They do have to go to their landlord and that’s what we would want — we would want all landlords to be responsible and empathetic during somebody’s time of need and do exactly that.”

NDP Press Release: New Democrats push for renter protections for survivors of gender-based violence