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Set the founding documents
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Nova Scotia stands fully covered: its own filings and guidance stand in the books beside the federal ones.
The bylaws stand in the founding documents, with the name, the purposes and the head office.
A Nova Scotia society begins on a memorandum in the Act’s own form, sent to the Registrar with the by-laws the subscribers agreed on, the first directors and the registered office. Its by-laws are made and changed by special resolution, must speak to the matters Schedule B lists, and take effect only when the Registrar approves them. Binds: Nova Scotia societies.
The law’s own words
“Any five or more persons, desiring to incorporate a society, may make and subscribe a memorandum in the form in Schedule A, and shall transmit it, with the by-laws of the society agreed upon by them for the administration of the society, and the proper fees to the Registrar, together with a list of the persons appointed by the subscribers to act as first directors … the address of the registered office of the society and the place where its activities will be chiefly carried on.”
Nova Scotia Societies Act, s. 5 · Read it at Nova Scotia · Verified 2026-11-11
“A society may by special resolution make, amend or repeal by-laws, not inconsistent with this Act or with its memorandum, for the conduct and management of its activities and affairs.”
Nova Scotia Societies Act, s. 13(1) · Read it at Nova Scotia · Verified 2026-11-11
“The by-laws of every society shall contain provisions in respect of the several matters mentioned in Schedule B.”
Nova Scotia Societies Act, s. 13(2) · Read it at Nova Scotia · Verified 2026-11-11
“No by-law or amendment to by-laws shall take effect until the Registrar approves of it.”
Nova Scotia Societies Act, s. 13(3) · Read it at Nova Scotia · Verified 2026-11-11
Nova Scotia Societies Act, sections 5 and 13
“Any five or more persons, desiring to incorporate a society, may make and subscribe a memorandum in the form in Schedule A, and shall transmit it, with the by-laws of the society agreed upon by them for the administration of the society, and the proper fees to the Registrar, together with a list of the persons appointed by the subscribers to act as first directors, stating their full names, addresses and occupations and the period for which they will so act, the address of the registered office of the society and the place where its activities will be chiefly carried on.” “The by-laws of every society shall contain provisions in respect of the several matters mentioned in Schedule B.”
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature — Societies Act, RSNS 1989, c. 435, ss. 5, 13 · Checked 2026-11-11