Labour Board - Members

Jasmine Walsh has been engaged with the labour and employment sectors in Nova Scotia for two decades, as a lawyer specializing in labour, employment and pension law, as a labour relations specialist and in an executive role responsible for a wide scope of Human Resources as well as equity and accessibility functions at Dalhousie University. With leadership experience in dispute resolution, labour relationships, and equity diversity inclusiveness and accessibility, Jasmine is deeply committed to fairness at work.

Jasmine Walsh is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland (BA, 1998) and Dalhousie University (LLB, 2003) and a qualified administrator of the Intercultural Development Index.

Leigh Davis is a partner at MDW Law where she is a senior family law lawyer and dispute resolution practitioner. She also serves as an Adjudicator for the Small Claims Court of Nova Scotia. Leigh began her legal career in the area of labour law and has extensive experience in providing advice to clients, negotiations, collective bargaining, litigation, and labour arbitrations. Her current appointment runs until August 30, 2025.

Julien S. Matte has been working in adjudicative roles since leaving the Federal Department of Justice in 2017. Julien is currently the Presiding Justice of the Peace, is on the Minister of Labour’s List of Arbitrators, operates quicksettle.ca, and sits as an Adjudicator for Nova Scotia Small Claims Court. Julien is fluent in both English and French, holds volunteer positions with the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and is a Commissioner of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. Julien’s appointment runs until February 2027.

Augustus (Gus) Richardson has been an Adjudicator of the Nova Scotia Small Claims Court since 2001, a member of the Federal Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board since 2018 after having also served from 2010 – 2015. He has operated Ad+Rem ADR Services since 2006 which focuses on arbitration, mediation and appellate work. Gus Richardson previously worked from Ritch Williams Richards Barristers and Solicitor from 1990 -2006 and Lilly Blott Barristers and Solicitors in Toronto from 1985 to 1990. He also served as a law clerk for the Supreme Court in Ontario from 1984 – 1985. Mr. Richardson is active in the Nova Scotia Bar Society, and guest lectures at Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law. Mr. Richardson has been a member of the Labour Board and its predecessor Labour Relations Board since 2006. His current appointment runs until February 2027.

Eric Slone is a labour arbitrator and adjudicator, having extensive experience as a neutral in labour matters. He also serves as an adjudicator with the Small Claims Court of Nova Scotia and as a Board of Inquiry Chair under the Human Rights Act. Eric Slone co-taught the Administration of the Collective Agreement course at Dalhousie Law School from 1992 to 2010, and co-coached Dal students competing in the Mathews Dinsdale Labour Arbitration Moot from 2008 to 2021. Eric Slone has served on the Labour Board for over 10 years. His current appointment runs until August 30, 2025.

Raffi has maintained a private practice in New Glasgow since admission to the bar in 1992 and owns the first corporation licensed to practice law in Nova Scotia. He is currently serving his 2nd term as a Member of the Nova Scotia Review Board under the Criminal Code and is its current designated Chair. He previously served a term as a Member of the Motor Vehicle Appeal Board and has sat on the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society Complaints Investigation Committee and Bar Exam appeals committee. Raffi is a Small Claims Court Adjudicator (running to December 2025) and is Registrar in Bankruptcy for Nova Scotia and is serving a second term on the Nova Scotia Assessment Appeal Tribunal. He has written, presented, and taught in various adult education capacities, focused on real estate. Raffi's current appointment runs until February 4, 2028.

Nancy is serving her 2nd term as a Lawyer Member on the Review Board under the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act and as a Member on the Nova Scotia Assessment Appeal Tribunal. A partner with Stockton Maxwell & Elliott that focuses largely on labour and employment law. Nancy has more than 20 years of labour law experience in both the public and private sector. Nancy's current appointment runs until February 4, 2028.

Jean Candy was appointed to the Labour Board in November 2019. Ms. Candy was employed by the Nova Scotia Nurses' Union for 20 + years. She served as a Labour Relations representative for the Union from 1996 to 2006, and the Executive Director from 2006 until 2019. She has significant knowledge and experience with grievances, arbitrations, occupational health and safety issues, and matters before the Labour Board. Ms. Candy’s present appointment runs until January 24, 2026

Robert Champagne was Legal Counsel for United Steelworkers from 2002 until 2020. Robert is a member of the Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers and the Law Society of Ontario. Robert was a member of the Board of Directors of the Industrial Accident Victims’ Group of Ontario from 2000 to 2005. Robert held various offices including President and Vice-President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union – Local 512 between 1993 and 2000. Robert’s present appointment runs until January 24, 2026.

Brittany Colburn is an Indigenous Relations Representative for the Laborers’ International Union of North America. Brittany sits on the Laborers’ International Union of North America Women’s Caucus Steering Committee. Brittany is a member of the Construction Safety Nova Scotia Board of Directors. Brittany is a member of the Nova Scotia Inclusive Employment Collaborator Network (NSIEC). Brittany’s present appointment runs until January 24, 2026.

Troy Colburn has worked as Organizing Coordinator (Atlantic Region) since 2008 and Indigenous Relations Representative since 2017 for Labourer’s International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 615 and is also currently serves as Vice President for LiUNA Local 615 Executive Board. Troy Colburn has taken the Labour Studies Training Program from George Meany Centre for Labour Studies and the Collective Bargaining Practices Training Course from Dalhousie University. MS Colburn’s appointment runs until February 2027.

Cordell Cole was a member of the former Labour Relations Board (Construction Industry Panel) since November 2007. Mr. Cole is an interprovincial journeyman electrician with over 20 years’ experience in the electrical industry. He is the President of the Mainland Nova Scotia Building and Construction Trades Council and has been the Business Manager/Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 625 since 2002. Mr. Cole’s present appointment runs until January 24, 2026.

Tom Griffiths was first appointed to the Labour Board in November 2017. Mr. Griffiths is the Business Manager with IBEW, Local 625 since 2017. Prior to this position, he was responsible for union recruitment and community relations as the Membership Development Officer. He has been a union representative since 2002 and is a Red Seal Electrician since 1980. Mr. Griffiths has been a delegate of the Building Trades for over 10 years and has significant knowledge and experience in Labour Relations. Mr. Griffith’s present appointment runs until February 2027

Ginette Jalbert was appointed to the Labour Board as an employee member in February 2021. Ms. Jalbert was formally Vice-President of her union’s Local, at the Canadian Human Rights Commission. She has had the opportunity to work in all areas related to labour relations in the Federal government and Directly Chartered Locals. She was part of the Union bargaining committee at Radio Québec Ms. Jalbert's present appointment runs until February 2027.

Brad Long was appointed to the Labour Board as an employee member in February 2021. Mr. Long has held numerous positions of leadership in industry, academia and organized labour. He is a university instructor at St. Francis Xavier University in the field of management with specialization in ethics, leadership and human resource management. Mr. Long's present appointment runs until February 2027.

Deborah Ryan was a member of the former Occupational Health and Safety Appeal Panel since February 1997. Ms. Ryan is a director on the Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and a former Employee Relations Officer for Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union. She has extensive knowledge of labour relations including contract interpretation and negotiation; and has experience with labour standards matters. She is a member of the Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Council and was an Occupational Health and Safety instructor for provincial employees. Ms. Ryan’s present appointment runs until January 24, 2026.

Jameal (Jack) Wall was appointed to the Labour Board November 2019. Mr. Wall is the President of the Cape Breton Island Building & Construction Trades Council. He has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, He has been the Business Manager/Financial Secretary of the Sheet Metal Workers Local 56 since 2005. Mr. Wall has served on numerous negotiation committees and settled many contracts with different trades during his career. He is Vice President of the Canadian Sheet Metal Workers & Roofers; and past President and Vice President of the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council. He is a member representing the Construction Sector of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Board until May 28, 2021. Mr. Wall’s present appointment runs until January 24, 2026.

Larry Wark was a member of the former Labour Relations Board since November 2010. Mr. Wark is a former Area Director of the Canadian Auto Workers’ Union (CAW Canada). He has over 40 years representing unionized employees where he gained experience and knowledge in occupational health and safety matters. Mr. Wark has extensive labour relations experience including union organizing campaigns, collective bargaining, and representation at arbitration proceedings. Mr. Wark is on the Advisory Committee to the Non-Binding Arbitration Program (formerly known as the Labour Management Forum) and has served as a member of the Arbitration Advisory Committee. Mr. Wark’s present appointment runs until February 2026.

Peter is a former Labour Standards Officer with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour with 16 years experience interpretating the Labour Standards Code and Minimum Wage Order. His employment with the Province of Nova Scotia also included 5 years with the Department of Health and Wellness and 4 years with Annapolis Valley District Health Authority as a Planning and Development Officer. Peter also served as a municipal councillor with the Town of Lunenburg from 2004 until 2016. He retired in 2012 and since then has been owner operator of Bacalao Photography specializing in landscape, maritime and real estate photography. Peter Zwicker joined the Labour Board in 2023 and his appointment runs until February 2026.

Rick has previously served three terms on the Nova Scotia Labour Board, first appointed to the Labour Board in September 2015. Rick has over 40 years of broad Human Resources and Labour Relations experience gained in the Municipal and Provincial sectors. During his career, he has worked as a negotiator, mediator, Senior Administrator, presented at Interest arbitration and on occasion sat as an arbitration board member. Immediately prior to retirement in 2013 he served 12 years as Senior Director, Health Sector Labour Relations for the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness. His present appointment runs until February 4, 2028.

Robin D. Clark was appointed to the Labour Board in March 2014 as an Employee Member and as an Employer Member in 2020. Mr. Clark has over forty years of experience in public safety and occupational health and safety. He is trained in labour relations, negotiation and conflict resolution, and public and police sector management. He holds several occupational health and safety designations and works as an occupational health and safety consultant. Mr. Clark’s appointment runs until February 2027.

Paul Dubé is President of the MERIT Contractors Association of Nova Scotia. Paul was Chief Executive Officer of the MERIT Contractors Association of Newfoundland and Labrador from 2011 to 2019. Paul is Director of the Office of Employer Advisor Nova Scotia. Paul is Director of the Canadian Society of Association Executives – Atlantic Council. Paul’s present appointment runs until January 24, 2025.

Buddy Lawrence worked in manufacturing for CKF Incorporated from 1982 – 2019, having been Vice President Human Resources from 1991 to 2014 then Vice President Supply Chain. He served as chief spokesperson for numerous negotiations between CKF Inc. and its unionized workforces in Nova Scotia & British Columbia. Buddy Lawrence is noted for his superior negotiation and mediation skills and continues as a consultant in all aspects of Human Resources. Mr. Lawrence’s appointment runs until February 2026.

Calum MacLeod earned a law degree from the University of New Brunswick in 2008 and a B.A. in History from Dalhousie University in 2005. Calum MacLeod has been a Labour Relations Officer with the Nova Scotia Construction Labour Relations Association since 2011. Calum was a Legal Research Associate with the Health Association of Nova Scotia from 2010 – 2011. Mr. MacLeod’s appointment runs until February 2027.

Adrian Morrison was appointed to the Labour Board in November 2017. Mr. Morrison was a Regional Vice President of Black & McDonald Limited, responsible for Atlantic Canada and Bermuda. Mr. Morrison has significant knowledge and experience in the construction industry. Mr. Morrison chaired the CANS-IWK Capital Campaign in 2014 – 15 which raised over $1.5M to help renovate and modernize the NICU. He is a champion of Techsploration, an organization providing young women with opportunities to explore science, trades and technology occupations. He served for many years as a Director of the Millwrights Trade Classification with CLRA. Mr. Morrison’s present appointment runs until January 24, 2026.

Connie Nolan was appointed to the Labour Board in November of 2018. Ms. Nolan is retired from the position of Chief Administrative Officer with the Municipality of East Hants since 2019. In this role, she developed a thorough knowledge of both the Labour Standards Code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Ms. Nolan has and continues to make contributions to the community in both professional and voluntary capacities. She has served as a Board Member of the Property Valuation Services Corporation, she is Past President of the Association of Municipal Administrators and was a Volunteer/Trainer of the International Aid Program in Guyana, SA through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Community involvement includes volunteering under the CRA Community Volunteer Income Tax Program and sitting on the local East Hants Family Resource Centre. Ms. Nolan’s present appointment runs until January 24, 2026.

Susan Power was appointed to the Labour Board in November 2019. Ms. Power is Owner and CEO of Power HR Inc., offering leadership to business transformation through leadership development coaching, human resources consulting, organizational change management, HR policy analysis and training and project management. Ms. Power’s present appointment runs until January 24, 2026.

Allan Stapleton was a member of the former Labour Relations Board since 2009. Mr. Stapleton was the President of the Nova Scotia Construction Labour Relations Association Limited until his retirement. He serves as a board member on several construction-related committees and has over 35 years of experience in the unionized construction sector. Mr. Stapleton's present appointment runs until January 24, 2026