Boards & Councils

Agencies, Boards, and Commissions (ABC) are government-created entities with members selected through a formal application process. Each ABC has specific mandates outlined by their enabling legislation, providing advice and services across sectors such as health and safety, policing, agriculture, education, culture, environment, transportation, and professional regulation.

The Government of Nova Scotia oversees 139 ABCs, 11 of which are with the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, and 5 of which the Safety Branch supports.

The Executive Council Office ABC website has information related to ABC profiles, available positions, and instructions on how to apply to any the Nova Scotia Government’s ABCs.

The selection process will also consider the Minister's desire for a diverse and inclusive Appeal Board that is representative of the communities and individuals it serves. We encourage applications from individuals representing equity seeking communities.

The Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Council (OHSAC) was created to advise the Minister of the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration on administration of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations, providing advice and making recommendations to the Minister on policy issues and monitoring and reporting to the Minister on Occupational Health and Safety trends across the province.

The Council may include a total of 10 members made up of equal representation from employers and employees with 4 representatives from each. The Workers' Compensation Board and the department's Occupational Health and Safety Division are also part of the Council membership.

The Technical Safety Advisory Board (TSAB) is a non-adjudicative board, established pursuant to the Technical Safety General Regulations made under Section 49 of the Technical Safety Act, which came into effect April 1, 2011.

The purpose of the Advisory Board is to advise the Minister on major system-wide initiatives, concerns or problems identified by the Minister or Department for the Advisory Board's consideration. These may include, but are not limited to:

• the promotion and support of technical safety;
• certification and training of persons involved in regulated work;
• incident prevention;
• matters arising from non-profit organizations with mandates related to the Act;
• the issuance, expiry, suspension and revocation of licenses, registrations, permits or certifications; and
• any other matter as determined by the Minister.

The Board may include:

• 2 non-voting members (the Chair of the Apprenticeship Board, or their delegate, and the Director of the Apprenticeship Training and Skills Development Division, or their delegate)
• 15 voting members including:
  • 1 Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS) representative
  • 1 CME representative
  • 1 BOMANS representative
  • 9 trade representatives
  • 3 members at large.

The Elevators and Lifts Appeal Board (ELAB) was created pursuant to the Elevators and Lifts Act which came into effect on April 1, 2022.

The ELAB is an independent adjudicative tribunal with jurisdiction to consider appeals filed under the Act.

The ELAB hears appeals from persons directly aggrieved by a decision. Condition or an order of the Chief of the Elevators and Lifts Act regarding:

• A certificate of competency;
• An application for contractors registration;
• An application for a certificate of competency;
• Or a license or an audit.

The Board may include 3 members, where 1 member is designated as Chair.

• 1 mechanic employed as an elevator/lift mechanic for at least 5 years;
• 1 owner of an operating device or a representative of an owner;
• 1 registered contractor or professional engineer with expertise in installation or maintenance of elevating devices.