The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) 40-F 2005 FY Annual report (Canada)

Exhibit 8

COMMENTS BY AUDITORS FOR U.S. READERS
ON CANADA — U.S. REPORTING DIFFERENCES

In the United States, reporting standards for auditors require the addition of an explanatory paragraph (following the opinion paragraph) when there is a change in accounting principles that has a material effect on the comparability of the company’s financial statements, such as the changes described in Note 1 (accounting for variable interest entities and capital instrument liabilities) to the consolidated financial statements as at October 31, 2005 and 2004 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended October 31, 2005. Our report to the shareholders dated November 29, 2005 is expressed in accordance with Canadian reporting standards, which do not require a reference to such changes in accounting principles in the auditors’ report when the changes are properly accounted for and adequately disclosed in the financial statements.

/s/   KPMG LLP	/s/   PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants	Chartered Accountants
Toronto, Canada
November 29, 2005