Common sense finally comes into vogue

The provincial government is to be commended for the new legislation and other changes that took effect April 1.

Following the lead of the Town of Wolfville, the provincial government has imposed a ban on smoking in vehicles where there are minors. The aim, of course, is to decrease the amount of second-hand smoke to which children are exposed. As if to show the importance of such a move, Quebec adopted similar regulations the same day.

As well, motorists in the province have to pull over in order to use hand-held cellphones. The dangers of gabbing on the phone while navigating using one hand have made the new law necessary. There are hefty fines in place as consequences for those who defy these new laws.

These things are only common sense, and some would say beneath the need for legislation and regulation, but folks need that extra reminder, including the penalty schedule.

Avoiding smoking in vehicles containing children and using a hand-held cellphone while driving were common sense measures long before April 1, but for some reason they didn't seem to catch on. Let's hope they do now, and quickly.

Meanwhile, other regulations have come into force with the new month.

Environment and Labour Minister Mark Parent has announced that, as of April 1, the province's drinking water guidelines are in line with national standards. This includes increased chlorination, filtration and assessment levels to help protect water systems from contamination.

The increasingly busy Parent noted that April 1 was also the due date for workplace violence risk assessments for a number of categories of workplaces, including heath care, educational and correctional facilities, security settings and in situations in which liquor is sold, monies exchanged and other sites where employees interact with the public.

Another common sense move this month is the creation of separate Environment and Labour departments, with Parent remaining the minister of each.

Given the profile that each entity has developed in recent years -- and the fact they are not going to decrease in the foreseeable future -- this is a wise move. Reflecting the labour and skills needs facing the province's workplaces in a competitive world, the new Labour Department will include a skills and learning branch for recruiting, keeping and training workers to meet requirements.

The new department will retain responsibility for occupational health and safety, labour services and standards, as well as alcohol and gaming, pension regulations, the workers' advisory program and public safety.

The new Environment Department will deal with climate change issues, environmental protection and promoting Nova Scotia's environmental goals as outlined in the province's Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act. The department, the government says, will work toward achieving environmentally sustainable economic prosperity for the province.

This all seems to be a much more practical type of common sense revolution, with a number of smaller measures to make life safer for Nova Scotians and visitors.