Government Introduces New Department of Labour and Workforce Development

A bill formally creating the Department of Labour and Workforce Development was introduced in the legislature today, April 24.

The new department will focus on building a highly skilled, competitive workforce and help ensure workplaces continue to be safe, fair and productive.

"The department will emphasize the recruitment, retention, repatriation and retraining of workers to meet the changing needs of the province's economy at a time when Nova Scotia is competing with the world for skilled workers," said Labour and Workforce Development Minister Mark Parent.

"It will also support Nova Scotia employers by helping them offer leading-edge working conditions and opportunities for skill development to make recruitment and retention easier."

The department is also responsible for enforcing regulations on much of the equipment, products and services Nova Scotians use on a daily basis, such as elevators, fuels and gas, boilers, firefighting services, alcohol and gaming.

Mr. Parent was sworn in as Minister of Labour and Workforce Development on April 1. Margaret Macdonald, who had served as deputy minister for the Treasury and Policy Board, is the department's deputy minister.