News release

Members Named to Employment Standard Development Committee

Justice

NOTE: A full list of the Employment Standard Development Committee members follows the release.

Eighteen Nova Scotians will help develop the Province’s accessibility employment standards as members of the Employment Standard Development Committee.

The committee will assist the Justice Minister’s Accessibility Advisory Board in preparing recommendations for the government. Committee members come from across Nova Scotia and most identify as persons with disabilities.

“This is another significant milestone in reaching our goal of an accessible province by 2030,” said Justice Minister Brad Johns. “I want to thank all the individuals who applied to serve on the committee, and I especially want to congratulate the individuals who will contribute to this important work.”

Employment standards will support persons with disabilities in finding, maintaining and advancing in meaningful employment. The goal is to ensure equitable access to employment.

Persons with disabilities, organizations that represent persons with disabilities, and organizations and sectors impacted by the standards will be consulted throughout the process.

Quotes:

“We were pleased to receive so many applications from Nova Scotians with such diverse and extensive expertise across the employment sector. It reflects the high level of interest and engagement in advancing accessibility in our province.”

– Rosalind Penfound, Chair, Accessibility Advisory Board

Quick Facts:

  • Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Act sets a goal of an accessible Nova Scotia by 2030; employment is the third standard area to begin under the Accessibility Act, following Built Environment and Education
  • 40 people applied to be members of the committee; the Accessibility Advisory Board reviewed the applications and recommended members to the Minister
  • the first phase of recommendations for Built Environment and Education standards were submitted to the government in 2020
  • standards for delivery of goods and services, information and communications, and transportation and transportation infrastructure are still to be developed
  • December 3 is recognized each year as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life

Additional Resources:

Employment Standard Development Committee: https://novascotia.ca/accessibility/employment-committee/

Access by Design 2030: Achieving an Accessible Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/accessibility/access-by-design/

ASL Video – News Release: Members Named to Employment Standard Development Committee: https://vimeo.com/652294723/f874cc976e

The following is a list of the 18 Employment Standard Development Committee members:

  • Charlie MacDonald, Chair – retired Nova Scotia public servant and former Executive Director, Nova Scotia Disabled Persons Commission; Halifax
  • Alice Evans, Vice-Chair – Executive Director, Prescott Group; Halifax
  • Nick Beynon – CEO, Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Nova Scotia; Halifax
  • Carla Bezanson – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant, Nova Scotia Public Service Commission; Halifax
  • Marcilyn Cianfarani – disability advocate/disaster and emergency management specialist; Cleveland, Richmond County
  • Brittany Davidson – Manager, Employment Support Services, Department of Community Services; Enfield
  • Emily Duffett – Coordinator, Work Integrated Learning, Accessible Learning Services, Acadia University; Port Williams, Kings County
  • Pele Gallant – Co-ordinator of Service Development, Summer Street; Trenton, Pictou County
  • Ryan Gannon – Employment Program Facilitator, reachAbility Association; Halifax
  • Melissa Myers – Accessibility Advisor, Halifax Regional Municipality; Head of Jeddore
  • Steve Noel – Education/Employment and Career Advisor, Fred Smithers Centre of Support for Students with Disabilities, Saint Mary’s University; Halifax
  • Afolake Ola – Accountant/Project Manager, Vanity Fashions; Dartmouth
  • Jeff Overmars – Communications Advisor, Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission; Dartmouth
  • Tyler Roy – Nova Scotia Community College Business Administration graduate; Liverpool
  • Flavia Saldanha – Senior Policy Analyst, Corporate Policy and Services, Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration; Halifax
  • Gordie Snook – General Manager, Facilities and Operations, Town of Port Hawkesbury; Port Hawkesbury
  • Hannah Stegen – co-founder, CultureAlly; Dartmouth
  • Leslie Yorke – Job Developer/Employment Support Practitioner, YMCA Cape Breton; Glace Bay

Follow Us