Standing Citizen Assembly for Public Policy

Summary#

This bill would create a standing “community assembly” of everyday Nova Scotians to study big policy questions. Its goal is to bring regular people into decision-making through a guided, in-depth discussion process and to gauge “social licence” (public acceptance and trust) for major plans.

• Sets up a citizen assembly, with members chosen by a random draw designed to reflect the Province, with specific care to include African Nova Scotian and Indigenous voices.
• Members serve two-year terms and are paid; the Minister sets compensation.
• The House of Assembly can send issues to the assembly. The group studies each one, decides if there is social licence, and can suggest other options.
• Each issue gets at least one month of study; a report is due within a year. The Minister must publish the report and a summary online.
• Meetings can be in person or online. The assembly sets its own meeting rules.
• Funding comes from money approved in the provincial budget.

What it means for you#

• Residents

  • You could be randomly selected to serve for two years. A “stratified lottery” means the draw aims to match the Province’s makeup (age, region, gender, etc.), with added steps to include African Nova Scotian and Indigenous communities.
  • If selected, you would meet in person or online, learn about the issue from different sides, discuss with others, and help write a public report.
  • You would be paid for your time. The amount will be set by the Minister.
  • The assembly’s advice is not binding. Government can accept or reject it, but must publish the reports.

• African Nova Scotians and Indigenous peoples

  • The selection process will make a special effort to include you, so your communities’ views are more likely to be heard in formal advice to government.

• Community groups, experts, and businesses

  • A new, structured forum to present evidence and perspectives to a representative group of citizens.
  • Public reports can shape debate and signal whether projects or policies have broad public support.

• Taxpayers

  • Running the assembly will cost money for member payments, staff support, and meetings. Funding must be approved by the Legislature. The bill does not create new taxes.

• People following policy changes

  • Expect more visible public input on major issues. Each topic will take at least a month of study and up to a year for a final report, which could slow some decisions but may reduce conflict later.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Brings ordinary people into complex decisions in a fair, thoughtful way, not just through quick surveys or open houses.
• A representative, lottery-based group can reflect the Province better than typical public meetings, and the bill specifically includes African Nova Scotian and Indigenous voices.
• In-depth learning and discussion can lead to balanced recommendations that most people can accept, building trust and social licence.
• Publishing full reports increases transparency and helps the public see how conclusions were reached.
• Early, broad buy-in may prevent costly delays, protests, or reversals later.

Opponents' View#

• Adds a new, ongoing program that will cost money for compensation, staff, and logistics, with no clear price tag.
• Could slow government action by adding another layer that takes at least a month and up to a year per issue.
• Members are not elected, raising concerns about democratic accountability and who ultimately speaks for the public.
• A stratified lottery may still miss some voices or reduce people to categories rather than lived experience.
• Government is not required to follow the recommendations, so the process could become symbolic or be ignored after time and money are spent.