Nova Scotia is the only province that doesn’t have open adoption records, but that may change.
The province introduced legislation on Friday that will open adoption records, effective next April.
The new Act to Open Adoption Records in Nova Scotia allows adopted children, once they turn 19, and birth parents to access adoption information if they want to.
“Adoption records are a sensitive and deeply personal matter,” said Kelly Regan, Minister of Community Services. “In modernizing this legislation, we worked to create a balance that takes all perspectives into account, recognizing the profound impact this information may have on the lives of Nova Scotians.”
According to the newly proposed bill, adoptees and birth parents will each have the right to block the release of information that could lead to their identities.
The veto will also be available to birth parents and children available for adoption in the future.
When the legislation is in effect, disclosure vetoes and contact notices will continue to be accepted as long as the identifying information has not already been released.
The new bill will also include the types of information that can be shared with relatives or birth siblings, as well as the definition of a potential birth father.
Currently the province’s Adoption Disclosure Program can conduct a search for an adopted person or a birth parent at the request of the other party to the adoption. When that person is located, they must consent to their identifying information being released before it can be shared. If they do not consent, the identifying information cannot be shared.
Adoptions have been recorded in Nova Scotia for more than 100 years. The Department of Community Services holds the records for about 31,800 adoptions granted during this time.
