Office of the Worker Counsellor

Office of the Worker Counsellor The Office of the Worker Counsellor began in 2008 as a pilot program under the direction of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.

We offer free advice and assistance to workers, their families, and workplace representatives on all aspects of Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Health and Safety in Nova Scotia. We were created to be a resource to assist workers and their families understand the workers compensation system and to navigate their way through it. The funding for the program comes from the Workers’ Compensation

Accident Fund - the same fund from which claims are paid. We offer advice and assistance to workers, their representatives and their family members, on all aspects of workers’ compensation and Occupational Health and Safety in the province. In addition, the Office provides workshops, training and seminars on all aspects of workers compensation and Occupational Health and Safety. We offer one-to-one assistance on claims management issues, attend Return to Work meetings, assist workers in understanding their rights and responsibilities, help in interpreting decisions, assist in preparing and filing a Notice of Appeal and accessing assistance through the Workers’ Advisers Program.

Last year, 22 Nova Scotians lost their lives at or because of work. Across Canada, 1000 workers die and 250,000 are inj...
04/28/2026

Last year, 22 Nova Scotians lost their lives at or because of work. Across Canada, 1000 workers die and 250,000 are injured every year. These numbers aren't getting better. Today, on the National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured at Work, we remember those lost and we commit to fight for the living.

Melissa Marsman, President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, spoke at today's Day of Mourning Ceremony in Halifax.

04/22/2026

Join fellow workers and our allies at Victoria Park on May 1 to celebrate May Day 2026, celebrating victories for workers at home and abroad.

WHAT: May Day Picnic - Solidarity at Home & Across Borders
WHEN: Friday, May 1, 2026 at 12pm
WHERE: Victoria Park (5720 Spring Garden Rd)

Free samosas and drinks!!

We’re in Berwick Wednesday April 22 to answer questions about WCB and OHS. Drop in and see us at the Firehall anytime a...
04/22/2026

We’re in Berwick Wednesday April 22 to answer questions about WCB and OHS. Drop in and see us at the Firehall anytime after 8 am.

04/10/2026

On Wednesday, April 23rd at 3pm, the Workers' Action Centre will be running a workshop on your rights in the workplace.

Location: 500-5991 Spring Garden Rd. Halifax

Come and learn more about what protections you do or do not have in the workplace.

Have you experienced the Workers' Compensation Appeals System? Do you think it needs to change? Get involved in the Sy...
03/05/2026

Have you experienced the Workers' Compensation Appeals System? Do you think it needs to change? Get involved in the System Review. You can do a survey, attend a virtual session, or send written submissions. Let's make sure workers' voices are heard loud and clear!

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI) is conducting a comprehensive review of the Workers' Compensation Appeals System (WCAS).

Last year, 22 Nova Scotians died because of work. Each one of those deaths was preventable. Each one of those deaths d...
02/18/2026

Last year, 22 Nova Scotians died because of work. Each one of those deaths was preventable. Each one of those deaths did not need to happen. As we mourn the dead, we must continue to fight for the living.

In 2025, 22 Nova Scotians died at or because of their work.

01/31/2026

The year has just begun, and four workers have already lost their lives at work.

Every one of these deaths was preventable. Workplace fatalities must never be normalized.

We’re thinking of their families and loved ones, and we’ll continue to demand full enforcement of the Westray Law.

Joan Wark is retiring and we don’t know what we’ll do without her. She’s played a huge role at the Office of the Worker...
01/30/2026

Joan Wark is retiring and we don’t know what we’ll do without her. She’s played a huge role at the Office of the Worker Counsellor through the years. We thank her for her dedication and support, and wish her the very best for the future!

Joan Wark has been with the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour for 36 years. Joan has worked beside multiple presidents, executive members, labour leaders, and coworkers since beginning in 1989. She has long been a presence at the office, one which so many strongly associate with the NSFL. Joan’s dedication to and passion for the labour movement has always been remarkable. She has been the backbone of the Federation of Labour, with her endless knowledge of the organization, the people, and the issues facing workers.

On this, her last day of work with the NSFL, we would like to take the opportunity to thank Joan for everything she has done for us over these many years. She is going to be very much missed.

Congratulations on your retirement, Joan! You deserve it!

12/16/2025

In just a week and a half, three workers have lost their lives on the job. This must not be normalized or accepted. Workplace deaths are preventable, and every worker, in every job, deserves to be safe. It’s time for real accountability. Canada must and hold employers responsible.

Read the full stories:
👉 https://www.thesafetymag.com/ca/news/general/worker-killed-by-vehicle-at-oro-medonte-landfill/54715…

👉 https://www.thesafetymag.com/ca/topics/ohs-law-and-legislation/worksafenb-investigates-fatal-incide…

👉 https://shorturl.at/ap1rm

11/11/2025

We will remember

11/10/2025

A huge thank you and congratulations to the organizers - Daniel Wilband and Kelly VanBuskirk - and all the participants of Mind Matters 2025, a conference dedicated to advancing a culture of mental health awareness and safety in the workplace.

Our very own Jillian Houlihan joined industry colleagues Laura Neilan and Alex Warshick for an interactive discussion on real-world tactics and strategies to deal with harassment in the workplace.

Key learnings from the session included:
- Insights on the impact of workplace culture, strategies for supporting complainants, and practical tools to respond to harassment in the workplace.
- The importance of the Employer’s role in promoting psychological safety, and how legal frameworks are evolving to support this.

For the latest on workplace safety rules and the recognition of psychological injuries under workers’ compensation law in Nova Scotia, read: https://www.pinklarkin.com/updates/news-item/beyond-hard-hats--ohs-law-mandates-workplace-harassment-policy

10/23/2025

Address

3700 Kempt Road, Suite 220
Halifax, NS
B3K4X8

Telephone

+19024555455

Website

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