HALIFAX, NS (May 5, 2026) – Stacey Gomez from the Center for Migrant Worker Rights Nova Scotia (CMWR NS) addressed the Standing Committee on Human Resources in Province House today about shortcomings in the provincial laws and regulations protecting Nova Scotia’s migrant workers.
“There’s much more to do to ensure that migrant workers, who receive the promise that they’ll have equal rights as Nova Scotians when they come here. In practice, that’s not the case,” said Gomez.
The number of migrant workers employed in Nova Scotia has more than doubled since 2015, according to IRCC. In 2023, over 4,000 migrant workers were employed in Nova Scotia, with the majority in agriculture, as well as the food and beverage manufacturing industries, including seafood processing.
“Our recommendations to the Nova Scotia government include: strengthen worker protections in the Labour Code. For example, remove agricultural exemptions for overtime and holiday pay, and introduce paid sick days,” said Gomez. CMWR NS also recommends routine, targeted, and unannounced workplace inspections in key sectors employing migrant workers, and granting health care on arrival to migrant workers.
Ryan Grant, the Deputy Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration, said his department is focused on protecting vulnerable people including migrant workers: “These workers play a vital role in our economy and our communities, and they deserve the same protections as anyone else,” he said.
“The system is entirely dependent on vulnerable workers reporting infractions, rather than active enforcements,” said Melissa Marsman, President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.
In a recent study by the CMWR NS, 77% of migrant workers feared being fired if they simply took time off to address health needs.
Since 2021, the CMWR NS has supported over 8,000 non-unionized migrant workers across the province through outreach, rights education, and support services. In 2025, workplace injuries accounted for 65% of CMWR NS’ casework and service interactions.
