A Liberal resolution committing the Houston Conservatives to study expanding job-protected leave in Nova Scotia and sharing its progress with the House of Assembly by the spring session passed with all-party support, but little action seems to have been taken.

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In response to a question posed by the Liberals on the first day of the spring session, the Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration advised the government was looking into it but failed to provide any significant details about whether any consultation has taken place.

 

“The last thing Nova Scotians experiencing serious illness should have to worry about is if they have a job to return to after their treatment,” said Labour Critic, Lorelei Nicoll. “The fact that the government is still looking into this issue and cannot provide any significant detail on its progress is concerning. They knew they committed to sharing this progress with the House, and all Nova Scotians, by this spring session.”

 

Nova Scotia labour law currently only guarantees employees working in provincially regulated industries a maximum of three days unpaid leave due to illness. MLA Nicoll will re-introduce a bill in the Legislature today to expand this type of leave to up to 26 weeks to align with the federal EI program.

 

“Based on this government’s track record with consultations, it’s hard to remain optimistic that they will make good on this commitment,” said Opposition Leader, Zach Churchill. “Our caucus will re-introduce this bill today because we believe Nova Scotians dealing with serious illness deserve this protection.”