Provincial barbers association seeks new legislation to govern industry
Legislation currently on the books was written in 1942
The Nova Scotia Registered Barbers Association is working on a plan to update its image.
Legislation governing barbers in Nova Scotia is almost 75 years old.
According to association president Alton Robinson, the occupation needs a makeover, because legislation does not cover everyone in the industry.
Act 'not strong enough'
"If you live in a town that has a less than 5,000 people, you don't have to have a licence," he said.
"Obviously you want to change that to make sure that everybody that is barbering has to have a licence."
A new, updated act will give the association the clout it needs to regulate health, training and licensing standards, he said.
"The act that we have now is not strong enough for us to be able to do anything," said Robinson.
The change would give the association the power to fine people who are not registered.
The association's website states that the association "isn't trying to put barbers out of work. We are simply trying to bring some much needed structure to the industry so that it can prosper."
More than 500 barbers
Robinson estimates that there are more than 500 barbers in Nova Scotia.
He says barbers who operate outside of Halifax, in areas such as Cape Breton, Yarmouth and Truro, tend to be licensed. It's more difficult in the city.
Robinson can't explain why that is, but he said he is trying to get across to them the importance of being in the association.
The association has been meeting with barbers across the province this month and plans to present the province with a revised Registered Barbers Act.
Robinson hopes to have the bill passed into legislation this fall.