Bursaries

The NSFL offers six $1,000 bursaries to full-time students entering or returning to post-secondary studies.

About our Bursaries

The Alex “Sugarcamp” MacDonald Memorial Bursary honours Brother Alex MacDonald who died in May, 2001. Alex was on the Executive Council of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour for 13 years, the last 10 as Secretary-Treasurer. He was a founding member and major supporter of the NSFL Workplace Education Program and Chairperson of the NSFL Education Committee. His contributions to the Labour Movement and his community were immense.

The Glenda Cooper Memorial Bursary remembers Sister Glenda Cooper, who was a dedicated worker for the Federation of Labour for over 30 years. This Bursary was established to honour her tireless commitment to the labour movement up until her death in 1995.

The J.K. Bell Memorial Bursary is awarded in honour of Jimmy “J.K.” Bell, who served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour from 1965-85 and was also a fulltime representative with the Marine Workers’ Federation. J.K. was inducted into the Canadian Labour Hall of Fame in May of 1994. He died three months later.

The Joe Gannon Memorial Bursary has been awarded since 1966 in honour of labour activist Joe Gannon. Joe was a dockyard worker in Halifax and was President of the Halifax- Dartmouth and District Labour Council and a Regional Vice-President of the CLC. He died in 1965 and this Bursary honours his dedication to working people.

The Leo F. McKay Memorial Bursary is funded by American Income Life (AIL), a unionized insurance company. AIL gives the Federation $1000.00 each year for this Bursary, which honours former NSFL Executive Secretary Leo McKay’s past and ongoing contributions to the Labour Movement. Leo devoted over 30 years to the Federation of Labour until he retired in 1993.

The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour in partnership with Higgins General Insurance is pleased to offer the Muriel Duckworth Memorial Bursary. For 60 years, Muriel worked as a tireless crusader and advocate for social justice and change. She was involved with numerous organizations supporting peace initiatives, social reform and educational development in Nova Scotia and across Canada. Muriel played an integral role in the evolution and development of Canadian women’s social and peace movements on local, provincial and national levels. Sometimes her role included that of singer in the well-known protest group “The Raging Grannies” who were the highlight of many rallies and demonstrations over the years. Sister Duckworth died in 2009, at the age of 100.

2023-2024 Winners

Congratulations to our winners!

Melissa Armstrong – Muriel Duckworth Memorial Bursary

Deanne Doucette – Glenda Cooper Memorial Bursary

Cameron Jones – Alex “Sugarcamp” MacDonald Memorial Bursary

Natalie Whynot – Leo F. McKay Memorial Bursary

Ben Minehan – J.K. Bell Memorial Bursary

Owen Nicholson – Joe Gannon Memorial Bursary