'Objective is not to penalize people' says WCB leadership
With Nova Scotia preparing to enforce its Duty to Cooperate legislation on July 15, 2025, the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) is ramping up efforts to educate employers and workers on their new legal responsibilities. During a recent webinar, WCB leadership outlined what the law requires and how workplaces can prepare.
“We all share a responsibility to actively work together to keep Nova Scotians working,” said Tracy Newman, WCB’s Vice President of Prevention and Employer Engagement, during the session. “Many employers already recognize the importance of keeping workers connected, but unfortunately, too many do not. A change was required, and duty to cooperate is part of that change.”
The Duty to Cooperate legislation, introduced as part of the Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotians Act, requires injured workers and employers to collaborate on identifying temporary accommodations that enable workers to remain on the job while recovering. These accommodations could include modifying work duties, adjusting schedules, or allowing alternative work locations.
During the webinar, Kevin Foster, WCB’s director of psychological injury, emphasized that WCB is focused on education and compliance.
“The objective is not to penalize people—it’s to keep Nova Scotians working,” Foster explained. “The legislation allows us to levy penalties, but what we really want is voluntary compliance. If we see that a workplace isn’t meeting its duty to cooperate, we will notify them and work with them first before taking enforcement actions.”
WCB data shows that Nova Scotia has one of the longest return-to-work timelines in Canada, with injured workers staying off the job significantly longer than in other provinces. Newman stressed that the new legislation aims to change this pattern.
“We know from our colleagues across Canada that accommodating workers when they’re injured is key to reducing time loss,” she said. “The longer someone is off work, the harder it is for them to return. This law ensures that workplaces take action early.”
To help employers prepare, WCB Nova Scotia has launched a dedicated Duty to Cooperate webpage, a Return-to-Work Toolkit, and a series of webinars leading up to the July 15 implementation date. The board is also conducting an employer survey to understand what additional resources are needed.
“Get involved. Participate in the webinars. Have your voices heard,” Newman urged employers. “And don’t wait for July 15—start preparing now.”
