Bill to Protect Health, Safety of Nova Scotians Passes

The province passed a bill today, July 5, to ensure Nova Scotians were not put at risk by a labour dispute.

The fifth session of the 61st General Assembly rose after a special one-day session to introduce and pass Bill No. 86, the Ambulance Services Continuation (2013) Act.

"Government's role is to protect the health and safety of Nova Scotians," said Labour and Advanced Education Minister Frank Corbett. "We take that responsibility seriously and the province passed a bill to prevent people from being put at risk by a labour dispute this weekend. There was no prospect of the employer, Emergency Medical Care Inc., and the union negotiating an agreement. With no emergency services offered by the union, legislation was necessary."

The act will lead to an agreement through binding arbitration, final offer selection, to ensure a fair solution for all parties.

"This government supports the principles of collective bargaining and believes paramedics deserve a fair wage. But, our first priority is to protect the health and safety of Nova Scotians," said Mr. Corbett. "We all value the vital and valuable work our paramedics do for their patients in communities across the province every day. That important work can continue now uninterrupted.

"I want to thank the health care professionals and leaders who run our hospitals for their contingency efforts and offer a sincere thank you to Nova Scotians for their patience."