Nova Scotia removing more interprovincial trade barriers

The Nova Scotia government allowing a wider range of out-of-province commercial trucks on the roads.

The Government of Nova Scotia is removing more barriers to facilitate trade, transportation and construction with the rest of the country.

New regulations will allow more commercial trucks and passenger vehicles to enter and operate within the province, said a Friday news release.

Premier Tim Houston said Nova Scotia wants free trade nationwide.

“If a vehicle can operate in another province or territory, it should be able to operate in Nova Scotia. We are removing needless and burdensome barriers,” said Houston. “This is another example of how we are taking a Team Canada approach to creating a more prosperous future.”

The province will introduce legislative changes to the new Traffic Safety Act in the fall that will allow for permanent changes, said the release.

The Registrar of Motor Vehicles will still be able to add special conditions on some vehicles for safety and to protect infrastructure. This could include limiting some road or bridge access and age restrictions.

Most vehicles that were restricted in Nova Scotia were commercial trucks and low-speed vehicles, said the release.

Nova Scotia also announced plans to amend the building code to accommodate factory-built, modular homes that satisfy national standards without requiring them to meet provincial standards. Manufacturers redesign building models for each province’s standards, increasing time and costs.

“Both of these moves are to address unique and urgent challenges brought on by the trade war and housing crisis,” said Premier Houston. “It is about fairness for workers, opportunity for businesses and respect for Canadians’ right to move, work and trade freely across their own country, and it’s about getting people into safe and affordable housing, faster.”

Proposed building code amendments include:

• enhance productivity and accelerate the development of new modular housing
• allow modular construction contractors operate under one national standard, rather than individual provincial codes
• position Nova Scotia as national leaders in housing innovation and reduction of interprovincial trade barriers
• position Nova Scotia as an easy export destination for modular housing and invite reciprocal recognition for Nova Scotian manufacturers from other provinces and territories

The proposed building code changes only apply to factory-built construction, said the release.

The Motor Vehicle Act changes take effect Tuesday. They will be evaluated to inform regulatory updates.

A mandatory 45-day public notice period for building code changes will be observed.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page