President-elect
Dr. Christine Short, Head of the Department of Medicine at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine in Halifax, was endorsed as the 2026–27 President-elect by the Board of Directors on March 27. Members will be asked to approve Dr. Short’s nomination. > Learn more
Bylaw revisions: Referendums
The DNS bylaws set out a membership referendum process for certain agreements with government, particularly agreements with the Department of Health and Wellness respecting the tariff and payment for insured physicians’ services. The association regularly needs to adjust existing programs and benefits to improve how a program functions and enhance its effectiveness for physicians. However, the current bylaws are not clear on whether these types of changes require a membership referendum. For improved clarity, DNS is seeking support for the addition of sections 11.4 and 11.5 to the bylaws. > Learn more
See the association’s bylaws here.
New section: Section of Public Health
Public health concerns are increasingly relevant to clinical practice in Nova Scotia. Addressing communicable diseases, emergency preparedness, harm reduction, health equity, environmental health, and the effects of social and economic conditions requires coordinated physician engagement at the population level. Membership would be open to DNS members with formal public health training and to physicians with a strong interest in public and population health. > Learn more
Member dues increase
As a proactive and responsive step grounded in member feedback and a growing, evolving membership, the Board of Directors is recommending a dues increase in 2026 as a strategic investment to strengthen organizational capacity, enhance member services and support, and ensure the association is well-prepared to effectively represent members in an increasingly complex negotiations environment. Currently, DNS membership dues are among the lowest in the country. The last dues increase was approved by members in 2020 and implemented in 2021. Members will be asked to vote on a $300 increase. > Learn more
Debating motions
The rules of order have been simplified for debating member motions at the AGM to ensure the process is easy to understand and everyone has an equal opportunity to participate to the degree possible.
This includes relaxing some of the rigid procedural rules to allow the group to debate and consider amendments or details without the same time constraints and strict rules of the formal assembly. Read more here.
Implementing motions
If approved at the AGM, a motion to revise association bylaws will come into effect immediately. All other resolutions approved at the AGM will be reviewed by the Board in the year following the AGM. The Board is responsible for identifying the implications of each approved motion and determining the association’s ability to carry out the resolution.