David Etherington
Nova Scotia Federation of Labour
Cell: 902-292-7991
Email: david@nslabour.ca

                       

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The WCB Appeals System is a fundamental safeguard for workers’ rights. When the Workers’ Compensation Board makes a decision that affects income, health care, or return to work, there must be a fair and effective mechanism for workers to challenge that decision. Workers rely on the appeals system to correct errors and ensure decisions are consistent with the law, the evidence, and the principles of justice that underlie workers’ compensation.

Workers expect a system that delivers fairness, accountability, and justice for those injured or killed on the job. To achieve this, the appeals system must be clear and consistent, timely, and non-adversarial.

The timing of this review is important. Workers are concerned with the timeliness and clarity of WCB decisions and appeals, and increasingly we feel the Board is struggling to understand its mandate.

The WCB is born from the 1913 Royal Commission that was tasked with creating a fair and balanced workers’ compensation system in Canada.  The Meredith Commission resulted in the “historic compromise” that remains at the heart of Canada’s workers’ compensation systems today. Workers gave up the right to sue for workplace injuries or illnesses. Employers agreed to fund a no‑fault independently administered compensation system for injured workers.

Workers’ Compensation is a quasi-judicial system.  It stands in the place of courts to protect Worker’s rights.  WCB decides whether workers’ claims are accepted and what benefits workers receive.  WCB decisions have profound impacts on workers’ lives. 

Workers are counting on the review to make recommendations that better align WCB with its role as a fair and just arbiter for the working people of Nova Scotia.

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“While it’s true the minimum wage is going up, this increase is in no way sufficient to address the skyrocketing prices facing workers in our province,” said Melissa Marsman, President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour. “When workers cannot afford food, rent, gas, or heat, that is a sign of a real affordability crisis.”

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives calculates a living wage in Nova Scotia at $27.60/hour. The gap between the province’s living wage and minimum wage, $10.85/hour, is the largest in Atlantic Canada, and represents an annual shortfall of $19,747.00 for workers earning the minimum wage.

“The problem of low wages is especially serious for families with children and single parents,” said Marsman. “The government needs to develop and implement a plan that would see all workers in Nova Scotia earn at least a living wage.”

In October 2025, workers from across Nova Scotia came together at the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour Convention and passed a resolution calling on the provincial government to work with unions and community groups to create a plan for a living wage for all workers in Nova Scotia.

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The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour is the central provincial voice for Nova Scotia workers. The Fed represents thousands of union members, lobbying the provincial government for justice and fairness for workers across the province.

For more information, or to arrange an interview with NSFL President Melissa Marsman, please contact:

David Etherington, NSFL Communications Coordinator, (cell) 902-292-7991, david@nslabour.ca

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By sending a letter to your MLA, you can let them know the stakes and why they must vote no to this budget.

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Women in Nova Scotia continue to face persistent wage gaps, disproportionate levels of precarity, and systemic barriers to advancement. They make up the majority of workers in care, education, and service sectors—jobs that are essential to our society yet remain undervalued and underpaid. These inequities are not accidental; they are the result of political choices. And they can be changed by making different choices. 

This year’s International Women’s Day theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” speaks directly to what workers in this province have been demanding for years. Investing in women means investing in public services, in fair wages, in safe workplaces, and in strong, enforceable labour rights. It means ensuring that no woman has to choose between her safety and her job, her family and her income, or her dignity and her livelihood. 

We also recognize the urgent need to address gender-based violence, both in workplaces and in the broader community. Violence is a labour issue. It affects workers’ health, economic security, and ability to fully participate in society. The Federation calls on the provincial government to strengthen protections, expand supports, and ensure that every employer meets their obligations to provide a safe and respectful workplace. 

International Women’s Day is a reminder that when women rise, workers rise. When women win, communities win. And when we organize, we build the power needed to create real, lasting change. 

The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour remains committed to fighting for a province where every woman—no matter her job, income, background, or identity—can live and work with equality, safety, and respect. 

Nova Scotia Federation of  Labour 

Melissa Marsman – President 

Donna Gillis – General VP – Chairperson of the Women’s Committee 

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