Department History
The Department of Labour was established in 1932 in response to the employment crisis provoked by the Great Depression. It was initially responsible for the Minimum Wage Board, employment services office, and supervisor of unemployment relief. Subsequently it acquired responsibility for occupational health and safety, industrial relations, labour standards, fire prevention and protection, labour research and pay equity.
The Workers’ Compensation Act came into effect in 1917, and created an arm’s length board to administer benefits to injured workers or those made ill or involved in accidents due to their work. The Minister of Labour and Workforce Development is responsible for the WCB to the Legislature.
In 1980 the Department of Labour assumed responsibility for labour market programs and occupational training and its name was changed to Labour and Manpower. In 1985 responsibility for manpower and occupational training was transferred to the Department of Human Resources Development and Training (later Advanced Education and Job Training) and the department resumed the name Department of Labour.
The Department of Human Resources Development and Training was established in 1985 to assume responsibility, formerly held by the Department of Labour, for labour market programs, apprenticeship, and vocational, trades, technical and technological training. In 1986 the department's name was changed to Vocational and Technical Training. In 1987 the department assumed responsibility for post-secondary education and its name was changed again to Advanced Education and Job Training. In 1992 that department was dissolved and its functions transferred to the Department of Education.
On Sept 20, 2000 the Department of Labour was joined with Environment under the new Department of Environment and Labour. At the same time, the Minister was transferred responsibilities for the NS Utility and Review Board, all matters related to the Alcohol and Gaming Division, the Financial Institutions Division, the Pensions Benefit Act, and the Securities Act. Responsibilities for the Securities Act, Financial Institutions and UARB were transferred to the Dept of Finance in 2006.
On March 31, 2008 the Governor in Council directed that all affairs and matters pertaining to labour services, labour standards, occupational health and safety, pension services, public safety, the workers' advisers program, liquor control, film licensing and classification, amusement control and gaming control be assigned to the Department of Labour and Workforce Development along with all affairs and matters relating to apprenticeship, workplace education, the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning, labour market development, labour mobility and credential recognition. An Order in Council 2008-161 was passed to be effective April 1, 2008 establishing the Department of Labour and Workforce Development.