Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia government's 2026 budget includes more than $300 million in cuts affecting approximately 1,000 full-time equivalent jobs across the civil service and broader public sector. The cuts target management and administration roles rather than front-line services, with job reductions to be achieved by January 2027, with the Justice and Social Development departments expected to take the biggest hit.

Parks Canada is facing a 15 per cent annual budget reduction until 2027, with total spending to decrease by 32.5 per cent by 2027-28, affecting staffing across the country. Full-time equivalents will drop from 6,030 in 2026 to 5,285 by 2027-28, a decline of 13.3 per cent, potentially impacting programming and visitor services at national historic sites in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia Community College announced a $9.4 million cut to its operating grant that will result in approximately 230 job losses over the next four years, equivalent to eliminating one large campus. The cuts are expected to reduce staffing by three percent annually, with union representatives warning of significant impacts on student programs and the provincial economy.

Nova Scotia's regional centres for education will cut 150 positions as part of mandatory budget reductions. Of these, 47 positions will be eliminated through attrition by cancelling long-vacant jobs, while the remaining positions will involve teachers moving from administrative and specialist roles back into classrooms.

NSCC (Nova Scotia Community College) is eliminating 91 positions as the institution works to address a $15 million deficit. The layoffs represent the college's response to significant financial challenges.

Ubisoft Halifax, a studio with 71 employees, was shuttered in early January 2026. The closure occurred shortly after employees voted to unionize, though Ubisoft attributed the decision to wider cost-cutting measures.

Ubisoft Entertainment closed its Halifax production studio, eliminating 71 jobs three weeks after staff voted to unionize. The company attributed the closure to cost-optimization measures as part of broader global studio consolidation, though the timing raised concerns from the Communications Workers of America union.

The Nova Scotia Community College laid off 45 employees as part of efforts to address a $15-million deficit. In total, 91 positions were eliminated through layoffs, unfilled vacancies, term endings, voluntary exits, and retirements, including 50 management positions and 41 unionized positions across the province.

Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia laid off 31 unionized and non-unionized staff members in administrative and service roles due to financial pressures including enrolment shifts, funding constraints, and rising operating costs. The layoffs affected positions including Wong International Centre staff, health promotions staff, and student counsellors, but did not impact academic and teaching positions.

Cape Breton University is laying off 17 employees and impacting approximately 50 positions total through early retirements, non-renewed term positions, and unfilled vacancies. The cuts are accompanied by tuition increases and are driven by significant enrolment pressures and an expected $77 million loss in revenue over three years.

The Nova Scotia government cut $1.05 million in funding for Eight Early Years Professional Support sites, resulting in the closure of these in-person professional development workshops for early childhood educators. Seven staff members at NSCC campuses and one coordinator position at Jane Norman College were impacted by these budget cuts.

Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources laid off 7 non-unionized staff members as part of a restructuring to prioritize economic development and resource-based growth. The layoffs included senior wildlife division positions such as the manager of biodiversity, manager of ecosystems and habitats, and director of wildlife, prompting concerns from conservation groups about the impact on environmental protection in the province.

LOVE Nova Scotia, a Black-led anti-violence organization, laid off four full-time and one part-time staff member due to a $317,500 provincial funding cut representing 39% of the organization's budget. The organization was forced to cancel programs that supported youth development and career growth in the North Preston community.

Lee Rodgers, Production Coordinator and Senior Content Producer at Evanov Communications' Halifax stations, announced his role is being impacted by restructuring. His last day with the company is June 19, 2026.

The Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre will experience staff layoffs and reduced capacity due to Nova Scotia provincial budget cuts that did not restore funding to youth outreach, family resource, and after-school programs. The centre's critical preventative supports for Indigenous youth and families, including justice system navigation and domestic violence prevention services, remain at risk following the partial reversal of the provincial government's controversial budget cuts.