The Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board regulates non-energy utilities and reviews a variety of applications and appeals. Its responsibilities include municipal water utilities, auto insurance, motor carrier licensing, and appeals related to property assessment, municipal planning, fire safety, and more. 

The Board is a division of the Nova Scotia Energy and Regulatory Boards Tribunal with legal or court-like powers assigned to it by various statutes.  It began operating on April 1, 2025, succeeding the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board. 

The Board plays a key role in ensuring regulations and laws are applied fairly and impartially to all parties involved.

For more information, please visit our Mandates page.

Conduct of Hearings

To fulfill its responsibilities, the Board holds hearings at its office, in communities across the province, and remotely via telephone or video conference. Hearings are typically held in the municipality affected by the application or appeal. They are advertised in local newspapers, on the Board's website, and on its social media. Some hearings are conducted in French.

Hearings are generally open to the public and are recorded. Most hearings span one to two days, but some may run longer. The Board issues written Decisions, which include reasons for the outcome.

The Board’s Decisions and Orders may be appealed to the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal on matters of jurisdiction or law.

To learn more about how the Board conducts its proceedings, click on this video.