Susan LeBlanc, MLA for the Dartmouth North region in Nova Scotia, introduced the Steve Estey Act as a Private Member’s Bill on September 20, 2024. The Steve Estey Act is an amendment to the existing Elections Act to respect expenses incurred in relation to a disability. In a blog post on her website, LeBlanc shares how this Act was inspired by Steve Estey’s experiences of running in a provincial election as a person with a hearing impairment. Estey, who passed away in September 2023, was a strong advocate for the disability community, including contributing to the beginnings of the EDID-GHDI partnership. This important Act, if it receives Royal Assent, will enable other persons with disabilities to participate in provincial elections in Nova Scotia without incurring unreasonable costs due to their disability.
More information about the Act and its progress towards receiving Royal Assent can be found on the Nova Scotia Legislature website.