Two New Departments Effective April 1

Two new departments will be in place on Tuesday, April 1, to address current and future challenges with labour and the environment.

Mark Parent was sworn in today, March 31, as the Minister of Labour and Workforce Development, and Minister of Environment. The Department of Environment and Labour will no longer exist effective April 1.

"The creation of these new departments is another important step in tackling challenges in both the workforce and the environment," said Mr. Parent. "They will bring an even sharper focus to several of government's priorities: educating to compete, protecting the environment, and safe, healthy communities. I am excited to lead both of these departments."

The Department of Labour and Workforce Development will have a Skills and Learning Branch. It will emphasize recruitment, retention, repatriation and retraining of workers to meet the changing needs of the province's economy at a time when Nova Scotia is competing with the world for skilled workers.

The department will also be responsible for occupational health and safety, labour services such as dispute resolution, labour standards, alcohol and gaming, pension regulation, public safety, and the workers' advisers program.

The Department of Environment will focus on climate change, protecting the environment and advancing the province's environmental goals as outlined through the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act. It will ensure Nova Scotia remains a leader in achieving environmentally sustainable economic prosperity.

Contact information for the new departments will be as follows:

Labour and Workforce Development P.O. Box 697 Halifax, N.S. B3J 2T8 Phone: 902-424-5301 Website: www.gov.ns.ca/lwd

Environment P.O. Box 442 Halifax, N.S. B3J 2P8 Phone: 902-424-3600 Website: www.gov.ns.ca/nse