The government of Nova Scotia wants input from its residents on whether provincial adoption records should be more accessible, and it has launched an online survey.
They want to hear from all people involved in adoption — adopted persons, birth parents and adoptive parents, as well as family members and anyone with an interest in this issue.
Minister of Community Services Kelly Regan said, “Adoption records are a very sensitive and personal matter. We need to hear from Nova Scotians on how a more open approach to adoption records could affect people’s lives.”
Provinces, with the exception of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, have legislation to allow more access to identifying information from adoption records.
Currently in Nova Scotia, an adult placed for adoption as a child, or a birth parent, can request the government search for the other party, but if that person is found, they must consent to having their information released.
Open adoption records would mean identifying information could be released to the other involved parties without their consent, unless that person has filed a disclosure veto.
Before any change to the legislation is even considered, the government wants to hear the views of Nova Scotians.
The province’s online survey consists of eight questions and includes space for additional comments. Participants are encouraged to read the discussion paper before completing the survey. The deadline for the survey is January 3, 2020.
Nova Scotians can also email their feedback to adoption.records@novascotia.ca.
