Nova Scotia Employment Standards Guide
Nova Scotia's Labour Standards Code establishes minimum conditions of employment. Halifax, the provincial capital, is a growing hub for technology, ocean industries, and financial services in Atlantic Canada.
Key legislation
- Labour Standards Code
- Human Rights Act
- Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Workers' Compensation Act
- Trade Union Act
Employment standards at a glance
Minimum wage
$16.75/hour
Standard workweek
48 hours
Overtime threshold
48 hours/week
Public holidays
6 statutory holidays
Vacation minimum
2 weeks' vacation; 6% pay from the eighth year and 3 weeks' time in the ninth year
Notice of termination
1 week (3 months) to 4 weeks (10+ years)
Protected grounds
Human Rights Act (RSNS 1989, c 214)
- Age
- Race
- Colour
- Religion
- Creed
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Gender expression
- Physical disability
- Mental disability
- Irrational fear of contracting an illness
- Ethnic origin
- National origin
- Ancestry
- Place of origin
- Family status
- Marital status
- Source of income
- Political belief or affiliation
- Association or activity
Leave types
- Maternity leave (16 weeks)
- Parental/adoptive leave (up to 77 weeks)
- Compassionate care leave (28 weeks)
- Sick leave (3 days)
- Bereavement leave (3-5 days)
- Court leave
- Emergency leave (unpaid)
- Domestic violence leave (10 days)
- Critical illness leave (37 weeks)
- Reservist leave
Legislation and workplace agencies
- Labour Standards Code (RSNS 1989, c 246)
- Human Rights Act (RSNS 1989, c 214)
- Occupational Health and Safety Act (SNS 1996, c 7)
- Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB Nova Scotia)
Key industries in Nova Scotia
- Ocean Technology
- Financial Services
- Information Technology
- Fisheries
- Tourism
- Defence