• Proposed remedy for workers affected by Bill 148 could cost N.S. $470 million

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-19 20:15:49.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, Labour, Finance, Justice, Governance]

  The Nova Scotia government has agreed to pay an estimated $470 million in compensation to roughly 81,000 public sector employees following a court ruling on Bill 148. Introduced in December 2015 by the former Liberal government and enacted in 2017, the legislation imposed four-year wage restrictions and eliminated long-term service awards. In February, Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Ann Smith ruled that Bill 148 infringed upon public servants' Charter rights, ordering a legal remedy. Nova Scotia Minister of Finance John Lohr stated that the $470 million settlement cost is reflected in the 2025–26 provincial budget, though Justice Smith must still give final sign-off on the proposed remedy.

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• Some federal departments, agencies spending millions on more office time for staff

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-09-24 16:15:25.0
  Tags: [National, Labour, Governance, Finance]

  Thirteen federal government departments and agencies plan to spend a combined $18,720,150 to reconfigure or acquire office space following a Treasury Board directive increasing mandatory in-office work targets to four days a week for public servants and full-time for executives. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada leads the expenditures at nearly $5.7 million, followed by Fisheries and Outcomes Canada at $4.2 million, the Canada Border Services Agency at $3.9 million, and Correctional Service Canada at $1.37 million. Treasury Board Secretary Bill Matthews stated the mandate is a philosophical choice aimed at improving teamwork, while union representatives and opposition MPs criticized the spending and lack of cost-effectiveness research.

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• Une période probatoire simplifiée et plus flexible au bénéfice des superviseurs, des futurs représentants et du public

  Source: Quebec - Fil de presse gouvernemental
  Date: 2026-09-14 14:45:00.0
  Tags: [Quebec, Finance, Governance, Labour]

  The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) in Quebec has implemented modernized and simplified regulatory rules governing the probationary period for prospective financial representatives. This update is designed to provide greater operational flexibility for trainees and supervisors while maintaining public protection standards in the financial sector.

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• Critics question $31M in extra spending for P.E.I. health care

  Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-01 22:15:46.0
  Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Healthcare, Governance, Labour, Finance]

  The Prince Edward Island government approved nearly $31 million in extra spending for Health P.E.I. through a cabinet special warrant without a legislative debate, drawing criticism from opposition parties over transparency. The funding breakdown includes $12.9 million for hospital overcapacity, overtime, and travel nurses, $12.25 million for collective bargaining wage increases, and $5.76 million for medical supplies, out-of-province care, and increased MRI services. Opposition health critics Gordon McNeilly (Liberal) and Tayte Willows (Green) are demanding a comprehensive long-term health care plan and a full financial breakdown from Health and Wellness Minister Cory Deagle.

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