Nova Scotia board cancels accessibility association’s passenger-service licences

The Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board cancelled two passenger-service licences held by the Nova Scotia Accessibility Association after the organization told the regulator it would cease operations. The October 9, 2026 decision, Nova Scotia Accessibility Association, 2026 NSRAB 140, also authorized the abandonment of all its public passenger services.

The cancellation took effect immediately under the board’s order. It covered motor carrier licence P03265 and commercial vehicle licence CV01081; the reasons do not identify replacement services for passengers.

Announced shutdown preceded the order

According to the decision, the association’s president notified the board’s clerk by email on August 14 that all operations and services would cease effective September 1. The board said its subsequent requests for further information went unanswered.

The two dates serve different purposes: September 1 was the cessation date reported by the association, while October 9 was the date the regulator formally cancelled the licences. The decision does not independently establish when the last passenger trip occurred.

Ending a service still requires regulatory approval

The board explained that section 24 of the Motor Carrier Act requires a licensed carrier to apply before abandoning or discontinuing a service. Authorization may be granted only after a hearing with whatever notice the board directs.

It also cited section 19, which permits cancellation for cause where a carrier fails to operate in accordance with its licences, the statute and regulations. The short reasons do not impose a monetary penalty or make a finding about why the association intended to stop operating.

Notice of the proposed cancellation appeared in the Royal Gazette on September 30 and was provided to the industry. The board received no objections by the October 7 deadline. The order does not describe a separate oral hearing.

After considering the Act, including the factors in section 13, the board authorized the discontinuation and cancelled both licences. The ruling illustrates that a carrier’s announcement that it will stop operating is distinct from the regulatory authorization to end licensed services; it does not determine the availability of other accessible transportation in Nova Scotia.