Updated
Updated · CBC Sports · Aug 11
Nova Scotia Cuts Up to 85 Jobs, Shifts 1,100 Clients to Nova Scotia Works
Updated
Updated · CBC Sports · Aug 11

Nova Scotia Cuts Up to 85 Jobs, Shifts 1,100 Clients to Nova Scotia Works

3 articles · Updated · CBC Sports · Aug 11

Summary

  • Up to 85 Social Development positions will be eliminated as Nova Scotia moves work-ready income assistance recipients into Nova Scotia Works starting next month.
  • Officials said the shift is meant to cut duplication and end a two-tier system, with more than 50 Nova Scotia Works sites replacing support now delivered through 23 regional offices.
  • Three non-union employees were laid off Tuesday, and 300 unionized staff were offered voluntary severance of four weeks per year of service, capped at 52 weeks, before any forced layoffs.
  • About 1,100 clients are expected to transfer, and Labour officials said Nova Scotia Works has capacity to absorb them while maintaining a two-day intake meeting standard.
  • The job cuts will count toward the province's plan to shrink the civil service by 5% annually for four years, with further program changes expected by next March.

Insights

Is Nova Scotia's move to merge employment services a true win for reducing stigma, or just a clever disguise for government job cuts?
With a 70% retention rate, can Nova Scotia Works maintain its success when absorbing over a thousand highly vulnerable income assistance clients?