FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mar 20, 2025
KJIPUKTUK (HALIFAX, NS) – The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) is raising significant concerns about Bill 36 – the Free Trade and Mobility Within Canada Act – calling it a major setback for public safety and the regulatory integrity of the social work profession in Nova Scotia.
Alec Stratford, Executive Director and Registrar of the NSCSW, expressed at the Public Bills Committee on Wednesday evening a deep concern over the legislation’s implications for vulnerable Nova Scotians. “Bill 36 strips away our ability to oversee and safeguard social workers practicing in this province from reciprocating jurisdictions. Public safety depends on our regulatory body ensuring that social workers meet the highest standards of character, competence, and capacity before providing essential services. This legislation undermines those assurances entirely,” Stratford said.
The NSCSW highlighted several troubling aspects of Bill 36, including its removal of the College’s ability to ensure requirements for professional liability insurance, criminal record checks, and professional conduct review for out-of-province practitioners. Furthermore, the legislation leaves affected Nova Scotians without an avenue to file complaints or seek redress for professional misconduct or incompetence.
“The most vulnerable members of our communities deserve access to safe and accountable social work services,” Stratford added. “By bypassing critical safeguards, Bill 36 exposes Nova Scotians to unnecessary and unacceptable risks.”
The legislation was introduced without prior consultation with the NSCSW, a move the College describes as counterproductive to effective policymaking. “Collaborative efforts between regulators, government, and the public have consistently proven to create the most effective policies with the fewest negative consequences. The lack of consultation here is deeply disappointing,” said Stratford.
The College remains committed to supporting labour mobility and has successfully implemented measures under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement to streamline registration and credential recognition. Stratford noted, however, that “Bill 36 introduces risks far beyond what is necessary or reasonable to facilitate labour mobility. It brings more harm than benefit, particularly to marginalized populations and those in need of protection.”
The NSCSW has called on the government to reconsider Bill 36 and to continue engaging with key partners to address its flaws. It is crucial that amendments fully address the concerns of all regulators who protect the public, not only those included in the Patient Access to Care Act. “We urge Premier Houston and his government to prioritize the most vulnerable as we make crucial decisions on the economy. This legislation, as it stands, is untenable and undermines the core purpose of professional regulation,” Stratford concluded.
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About us:
The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers serves and protects Nova Scotians by effectively regulating the profession of social work. We work in solidarity with Nova Scotians to advocate for policies that improve social conditions, challenge injustice and value diversity.
For more information or to arrange interviews with NSCSW spokespersons, contact: Rebecca Faria, communication coordinator for NSCSW (902-429-7799 ext. 227, [email protected]).