Politics · Canada · 5 hrs ago
Nova Scotia proposes $470 million remedy for workers affected by Bill 148
Nova Scotia has proposed about $470 million in compensation for public sector employees affected by Bill 148.
The law, introduced in 2015, restricted wages and removed long-term service awards for public servants.
A provincial judge ruled the law unconstitutional because it substantially interfered with the rights of several unions.
About 81,000 public servants could receive payments for the infringement of their Charter rights.
The payments are damages for rights violations, not an attempt to replace the value of wages workers lost.
The proposed amounts vary according to when employees worked under the restrictions, and some may also qualify for a payment related to lost service awards.
The judge has not approved the plan yet and wants the province and unions to agree on a payment deadline before she signs the order.
Nova Scotia has proposed an estimated $470 million in compensation for public sector employees affected by Bill 148.
The proposed remedy could provide payouts to about 81,000 public servants for infringements of their Charter rights.
The bill restricted public sector wages and eliminated long-term service awards.
A Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge ruled in February that the law was unconstitutional.
Justice Ann Smith has suggested revisions and will not approve the remedy until the parties agree on a payout deadline.
- Who
- The Nova Scotia government and public sector employees affected by Bill 148.
- What
- The government has proposed an estimated $470 million in compensation.
- When
- The proposal was reported on October 19, 2026; the bill was introduced in 2015.
- Where
- Nova Scotia.
- Why
- A judge ruled that Bill 148 was unconstitutional and substantially interfered with the rights of several unions.
Nova Scotia government
Public sector unions
Reason for Bill 148
Nova Scotia government
The government said wage restrictions were necessary to address the province’s finances.
Public sector unions
Unions said the law undermined collective bargaining and infringed workers’ rights.
The former Liberal government introduced Bill 148.
Bill 148 was enacted.
Justice Ann Smith ruled that Bill 148 was unconstitutional.
Lawyers for the province and public sector unions submitted a joint draft order setting out a proposed remedy.
Smith suggested revisions and said she would not sign the order until a payout deadline was agreed upon.
- Estimated compensation
- $470 million
- Eligible public servants
- About 81,000
- Bill introduced
- December 2015
- Bill enacted
- August 2017
- Wage-freeze payout
- $1,250 for each of the two freeze years
What people are saying
Even though this is a big fiscal lift … we’re happy to have this behind us