Nova Scotia is changing where some people on income assistance go for help finding work, a move that could affect dozens of government jobs.
Starting in September, people on income assistance who are considered ready to look for a job will be referred to Nova Scotia Works.
The province says about 1,100 people are expected to move into that system.
Nova Scotia Works offers free employment help in more than 50 communities, including career advice, job workshops, skills training and help upgrading education or work skills.
Susan Corkum-Greek, Minister of Opportunities and Social Development, says the change is meant to make sure people on income assistance can use the same job supports as other Nova Scotians.
“Moving to a one-door approach means income assistance recipients go to the same places, receive the same supports and have access to the same job opportunities as any other work-ready Nova Scotian,” Corkum-Greek said.
The province says the change is also meant to make services easier to access and reduce stigma.
What changes for clients
People who are ready to look for work will be sent directly to Nova Scotia Works.
People who need more help before looking for a job will continue to get support through community groups funded by the Department of Opportunities and Social Development.
The province says those supports will continue as-is until the end of March 2027.
Over the next six months, the province says it will work with community groups, employers and the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration on what those supports should look like after that.
The province says people on income assistance will continue to receive personalized support, with caseworkers helping connect them to the right services.
Job programming for youth at risk and dependents of income assistance recipients will also continue.
Jobs could be cut
The change could also lead to job cuts inside government.
Officials said between 75 and 85 positions tied to the current employment support program could be affected.
Three non-union employees were laid off Monday.
Unionized workers are being offered a chance to leave voluntarily with severance.
Officials said they are also looking at open jobs within the department and across government before any further layoffs happen.
The province says it is too early to say how many people could ultimately lose their jobs.
Union raises concerns
The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union says workers on the Employment Support and Income Assistance team were told today the government plans to offer voluntary severance.
The union says the move is the first step in eliminating jobs tied to the province’s decision to move Employment Support Services work outside the civil service.
NSGEU president Sandra Mullen says the uncertainty is stressful for workers delivering those services.
“These types of cuts have a terrible ripple effect within the workplace,” Mullen said.
The union says even if some layoffs are avoided through voluntary resignations, some workers are still expected to receive layoff notices.
Mullen says fewer workers means less capacity to deliver programs and services Nova Scotians rely on.
“These are jobs, careers and public services that communities count on,” Mullen said.
The union says it will monitor the situation, advocate for affected workers and ensure the collective agreement is respected.
