Community information sessions on adoption records will be held in November and December to ask Nova Scotians what they think about open adoption records.
Currently in Nova Scotia, a birth parent or an adult who was placed for adoption as a child can request the government search for the other party. If that person is found, they must consent to having their identifying information released to the other party.
“We want to give Nova Scotians a variety of opportunities to weigh in on this important topic. We appreciate the feedback we’ve already had through the online survey and we also encourage Nova Scotians to come to an in-person session to provide their thoughts on open adoption records,” said Kelly Regan, Minister of Community Services.
An online survey was launched on Nov. 13, to ask Nova Scotians what they think about open adoption records. The deadline for the online survey is Jan. 3. The in-person consultations are another way to participate in the discussion.
The community information sessions will be held in New Minas, Bridgewater, Yarmouth, Truro, Sydney, Eskasoni, Port Hawkesbury, Halifax, Millbrook and Dartmouth. French-language sessions are being held at Université Sainte-Anne campuses in Halifax, Church Point, Tusket, St. Joseph-du-Moine and Petit-de-Grat.
To see the online survey, details on the information sessions and how to provide feedback via mail or email go to, https://novascotia.ca/adoption
Quick Facts:
— open adoption records mean that identifying information about one of the parties to an adoption, either an adult adopted person or a birth parent, can be released to the other without consent, unless the birth parent or adult adopted person has filed a disclosure veto
— a disclosure veto allows a birth parent or adoptee to register in advance so that identifying information about them cannot be released. A disclosure veto expires upon the person’s death
— Nova Scotians who do not wish to share publicly at an in-person consultation may reach out to facilitators at their session to arrange to privately share their feedback
Additional Resources:
For more information about open adoption, please read a discussion paper at https://novascotia.ca/adoption