Message from the Chairperson, Douglas G. Ruck, Q.C.

On behalf of the Labour Board of Nova Scotia, I am very pleased to welcome you to our new web site.

The Labour Board is an independent quasi-judicial body that officially came into existence on February 8, 2011. This marked an historic moment for the Province of Nova Scotia. Prior to February 2011 there were six boards that heard employment and labour related concerns of Nova Scotians: the Labour Relations Board / Construction Industry Panel, the Civil Service Employee Relations Board, the Highway Workers’ Employee Relations Board, the Correctional Facilities Employee Relations Board, the Labour Standards Tribunal and the Occupational Health and Safety Appeal Panel.

In 2010 the Nova Scotia government, in an effort to improve the public’s access to justice on employment-related matters, introduced new legislation, the Labour Board Act, consolidating these six (6) employment and labour related boards into a single board. The new Board performs the duties and functions of its predecessor boards. Recently the Board has also been assigned responsibility to hear appeals under the Public Interest Disclosure of Wrongdoing Act.

The Labour Board Act also made provision for the appointment of a full-time Chair to head the Board. I am honored to have been given this opportunity to lead the new Board into the next phase of employment and labour relations in the province. I wish to make special mention of Peter Darby who held the title of longest serving chair (part-time) of any Labour Relations Board across Canada. Also deserving of special mention are members Dannie MacDonald and Eddie MacNeil who have served as members of the Construction Industry Panel for more than 40 years and are still serving as members of the new Labour Board. I am also pleased to mention that the vice-chairs and members of the predecessor boards have continued on with the Labour Board during this period of transition. It is also important to acknowledge the efforts and commitment of the executive officers and staff of the Board who are integral to the success of the new unified Board.

I look forward to leading change that will bring about the most efficient and effective adjudicative and other dispute resolution services to the labour relations, occupational health and safety, and non-unionized communities of Nova Scotia. The Board’s immediate focus is on achieving process uniformity, consistent decision-making, and modernizing the services of the Board. This will take time and we appreciate your patience during this transition.

This web site is just one tool that will be used to ensure the public has a clearer understanding of our processes and procedures and how to access our services.

Douglas G. Ruck, Q.C.