Fixed $100 Daily Fee and Travel Pay

Summary#

• This bill updates how certain people are paid for their time and travel under Nova Scotia’s Costs and Fees Act.

• It replaces old wording about fees set by regulation with clear amounts: a flat $100 per day for service, plus travel paid at the same rates as provincial employees.

• It also updates a cross‑reference so the same fees apply in a related clause.

• Key changes:

  • Sets a $100 per day payment for people covered by this part of the law when they are asked to attend or provide a service.
  • Matches their travel reimbursement to the rates used for Government of Nova Scotia employees (mileage, meals, lodging, etc., as applicable).
  • Removes older language about fees being set in regulations and replaces it with the new fixed amounts.
  • Aligns a related clause to point to these same fees.

What it means for you#

• General public:
  • No direct change for most people.
• People who qualify for these payments under the Costs and Fees Act (for example, when the court or government asks you to attend and provide a service covered by this section):
  • You would be paid $100 per day for your time.
  • Your travel costs would be reimbursed at the same rates as provincial employees.
  • This makes what you will be paid clearer and more predictable.
• People involved in court cases who may be ordered to pay costs:
  • The amount you might have to cover for these payments could change slightly because the daily rate is now fixed in law.
• Provincial government and courts:
  • Admin is simpler because travel follows the standard employee rates.
  • Budgets may need small adjustments if the new daily rate differs from what was typically paid before.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Brings clarity: a clear $100 daily rate and standard travel rules are easier to understand and apply.
• Fairness and consistency: uses the same travel rates as provincial employees, so people are treated the same across cases.
• Less red tape: reduces reliance on changing regulations and makes administration simpler.
• Predictability: people know in advance what they will be paid.

Opponents' View#

• Amount may be off: a flat $100 per day could be too low to attract some professionals, or higher than before in some cases, raising costs.
• Less flexibility: fixing the daily rate in the law makes it harder to adjust for inflation or special situations without another law change.
• Uneven impact: might increase costs for parties who have to pay these fees in a case.
• Travel alignment helps, but total compensation may still not match market rates for specialized work.