Nova Scotia Introduces Public Safety Act to Combat AI Abuse and Serious Crime
On September 10, 2026, the Government of Nova Scotia introduced the Public Safety Act. The legislation includes amendments to protect against AI-generated intimate images, extends property closure periods for serious crimes, establishes a new Conservation Officer Service Act, and modernizes emergency services.
The Government of Nova Scotia has introduced the Public Safety Act, a comprehensive legislative package aimed at enhancing public safety across the province. Announced on September 10, 2026, by Attorney General and Minister of Justice Scott Armstrong, the act addresses emerging digital threats, serious criminal activity, and emergency response capabilities.
A central component of the legislation involves significant amendments to the Intimate Images and Cyber-protection Act. These changes extend legal protections to cover intimate images that are created or altered using artificial intelligence tools. Furthermore, the amendments shift the burden of proof regarding consent; it will now be presumed that an intimate image was shared without consent unless proven otherwise. This change is designed to reduce the evidentiary burden on victims. The act also makes it illegal to threaten to share an intimate image online.
The Public Safety Act also introduces changes to the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act to better address properties linked to serious crimes. Investigable activities have been expanded to include human trafficking, gang activity, sexual exploitation, and trafficking in stolen property. Additionally, the maximum closure period for such properties has been increased from 90 days to one year, providing authorities with more time to intervene in ongoing criminal operations.
In terms of natural resource protection and public safety, the legislation establishes a new Conservation Officer Service Act. This creates a modern framework for conservation officers, clarifying their duties in protecting natural resources and responding to public safety concerns.
The package further includes measures to enhance emergency services and national security within the province. It grants the province authority to regulate building heights within designated flight corridors to ensure clear paths for emergency helicopters accessing hospital helipads. Finally, the act amends the Companies Act, Co-operative Associations Act, and Societies Act to enable the rapid dissolution of entities listed as terrorist organizations.