April 19, 2013– Halifax, NS –Deputy Premier and Minister of Labour and Advanced Education Frank Corbett has announced changes to the Nova Scotia Workers’ Compensation Act.

These changes provide retroactive benefits to a specific group of spouses who had survivor pensions discontinued when they were remarried, prior to April 17, 1985. This is the date the equality provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms came into effect.

At that time, entitlement did not exist. The legislation introduced today would create this entitlement. This group would be entitled to retroactive benefits for the 14 years between 1985 and 1999.

This is a legislative change proposed by government, which the Workers’ Compensation Board will administer once it becomes law.

It will result in a one-time retroactive payment to qualifying surviving spouses.

These surviving spouses will be contacted regarding this entitlement.

Full news release from Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education.