Province promises no change in fees from Registry of Joint Stocks overhaul

It'll look different, but the cost should stay the same. 

Service Nova Scotia announced Thursday that Enterprise Registry Solutions has been awarded the 10-year, $7.1-million contract to modernize the Registry of Joint Stocks.

The Dublin, Ireland-based Enterprise is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saskatchewan's Information Services Corporation, which has an exclusive agreement to administer that province's corporate and land registries.

Unlike in Nova Scotia—where joint stocks information can be freely accessed by anyone—in Saskatchewan ISC charges between $6 and $15 to find out public information on private companies.

It's an extra $10 to have that info mailed out to you and an extra $5 if you want a copy emailed.


Provincial spokesperson Marla MacInnis says, for now, there are no plans to implement a similar fee structure with Nova Scotia's registry.

“At this time, no fee changes for searching and obtaining copies of documents are anticipated,” writes MacInnis in an email to The Coast.

All businesses in Nova Scotia are required to register with joint stocks. It's where journalists, researchers, lawyers, business folk and any curious member of the public can find out the names of those running every local, extra-provincial and numbered company at work in the province.

The current computer system for the registry is more than 20 years old, and in desperate need of an overhaul according to the province. Expected changes Enterprise will implement include 24/7 online transactions, smart-form technology and the ability for registered users to track the progress of their submissions.

“A new, modern system will better meet the needs of Nova Scotia's business community and reduce red tape allowing businesses to dedicate their time and finances on what's most important, which is growing their businesses, creating opportunities for Nova Scotians and serving their customers,” writes Service Nova Scotia minister Geoff MacLellan in a press release announcing the contract.

The provincial government previously flirted with the idea of outright privatizing its joint stocks, land, vital statistics and motor vehicle registries back in 2015. After a 17-month long review—itself costing $825,000—Nova Scotia announced it would keep the services public and modernize their systems instead.

The “new and improved” Registry of Joint Stock Companies will be in place by fall 2019.