The Nova Scotia government is moving to unseal adoption records.
The Liberal government has introduced legislation that will allow adopted children and birth parents to access adoption information if they choose to do so.
The change will apply to all adoption records will take full effect in April of next year.
Minister of Community Services Kelly Regan says the government worked to create a balance in modernizing the legislation.
“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.”
The new act 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.
“It is a monumental day for those searching for their life story. These changes will make a fundamental improvement to thousands of families impacted by adoption in the past and in the future.” said Scott Pyke, administrator, Nova Scotia Adoptee Advocacy Group.
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.
Nova Scotia is one of the last province in the country with sealed adoption records.
