September Newsletter

Building Pathways: HCC and ISANS Partner Delivering Bridge to Construction Program

The Housing Construction Council of Nova Scotia and the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) are delivering the Fall 2026 Bridge to Construction program, a training opportunity that helps newcomers and internationally trained individuals build the skills, knowledge and connections needed to pursue careers in Nova Scotia’s housing construction sector.

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15 minutes and Your Input can Help us Support the Industry!

Help shape the future of Nova Scotia’s housing construction workforce in partnership with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Nova Scotia.

We want to hear directly from industry. Share your insights on hiring pressures, skills gaps, retention challenges, workforce needs, and how the Housing Construction Council can better support and collaborate with employers across the province.

The questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. All responses are confidential and will be reported only in aggregate. Share your insights and help inform the future of Nova Scotia’s housing construction workforce.

Take Survey Now

Become an Ambassador with HCC!

Your experience can help someone discover where they belong in the industry!

The Ambassador Program is a province-wide network of people helping young Nova Scotians discover the careers, pathways and possibilities available in housing construction.

Whether you have years of industry experience, are just beginning your career, or are a young person interested in the skilled trades, there is a place for your perspective.

Learn More About the Ambassador Program Here

New Skilled Trades Exhibition Centre coming to Cape Breton!

A new skilled trades exhibition centre is coming to Cape Breton, creating more opportunities for students, jobseekers, apprentices and workers to explore careers in the skilled trades through hands-on learning.

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Congratulations to HCC Board Member Betsy Sisco!

The Housing Construction Council is proud to congratulate Board Member Betsy Sisco on being named the recipient of the Ally Award at the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency’s 2026 Awards of Excellence.

Betsy’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and creating meaningful opportunities in the skilled trades continues to make a positive impact across Nova Scotia’s apprenticeship and construction communities.

We’re proud to have Betsy’s leadership and perspective on the HCC Board and thrilled to see her contributions recognized with this well-deserved award.

Congratulations, Betsy!

Ecology Action Centre Blog Post: More Green Jobs, Energy-efficient Homes and Communities

The Green Streets Vision for Cape Breton/Unama'ki | Aug 27, 2026

We are grateful for the partnerships that have helped shape this work so far. We also want to recognize the valuable work of the Housing Construction Council, including its Modular Housing Construction Fundamentals program, which provides paid, hands-on training in modular and tiny-home construction while helping participants build skills in framing, building envelope systems, finishing, safety, energy efficiency, and job readiness. This type of programming closely aligns with Green Streets’ goals of connecting housing needs with practical workforce pathways.

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Play our Trades Smarts Game!

This interactive game offers a fun and engaging way to explore the skilled trades through hands-on challenges focused on workplace safety, tools, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Play Now!

Suicide Prevention Month:

Industry Resources

September is Suicide Prevention Month, an opportunity to raise awareness, share resources, and recognize the importance of mental health in our industry.

Construction Safety Nova Scotia Mental Health: Building Better Together

Mental Health Programs & Initiatives

Mental health resources and information
Toolbox talks
Videos and awareness materials
Workplace mental health supports
Links to community resources and services

Visit the CSNS Mental Health Webpage

Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions Program

Nova Scotians can access programs, services and professional mental-health and addictions support.

The Mental Health and Addictions Intake line is 1-855-922-1122.

Provincial Mental Health & Addictions Crisis Line: Call 1-888-429-8167 for 24/7 crisis support for people experiencing mental distress, suicidal thoughts, self-harm concerns, depression, substance-use difficulties or other mental-health concerns.

9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 9-8-8 anywhere in Nova Scotia for confidential suicide-crisis support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions Webpage

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is observed on September 30, 2026, to honour Indigenous children who never returned home, survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.

Support is available 24/7. National Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419. Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310.

List of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Activities

Browse the list of funded projects taking place throughout the month of September and/or on September 30th to listen, learn and reflect on the history and legacy of Canada’s residential school system.

View List Here

Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion

Watch the recording of Part 1 of the webinar entitled: Ten Years of Truth, a lifetime of Action. You can also access all other previous webinar recordings in the Knowledge Repository.

Learn more about Indigenous Inclusion:

Join the CCDI Community Hub to engage with other Employer Partners equally committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) work.

If you have questions about this resource or need support, please contact your Partner Relations Manager or email us at employerpartner@ccdi.ca.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — Every One Every Day Kjipuktuk/Halifax

Reconciliation Day Powwow

Wednesday, September 30, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m.
Liverpool, Nova Scotia Canada

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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Wednesday, September 30, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Every One Every Day Kjipuktuk / Halifax (map)

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Truth and Reconciliation Day — Coldbrook / Kings County

A free, all-ages event is scheduled for September 30 from 1–3 p.m. at the Municipality of the County of Kings. It includes learning about the origins of Orange Shirt Day, a book reading and activities.

View the Kings County event

Truth and Reconciliation Day — Clifton Museum Park, Windsor

Clifton Museum Park is offering free admission from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on September 30.

Clifton Museum Park event information

Indigenous Film Screenings — Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Halifax

On September 30 from 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Pier 21 is screening a full program of Indigenous-created films in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada.

View the film screening schedule

Industry News & Events

CHBA Webinar - Tariffs: Residential Construction Industry Impacts + How to Navigate Them

September 29, 2026 | 1:30pm – 2:30pm ET / 10:30am – 11:30am PT

Canada’s new counter-tariffs apply to approximately $27.6 billion in U.S. imports, including construction materials used in new home construction and renovation. In addition to construction cost increases, tariffs also impact consumer confidence. This member-exclusive webinar, co-hosted with MNP, will provide an update on the current Canada-U.S. tariffs and their further potential impacts on Canada’s residential construction industry, CHBA advocacy on this issue, and best practices for businesses navigating a changing trade environment. The webinar will include a Q&A segment for members to ask questions.

Presented by:

Frank Lohmann, Interim CEO, CHBA

Nicole Storeshaw, Senior Director, Public Affairs, CHBA

Evan Andrade, Economist, CHBA

Ian MacDonald, CPA, CA, Partner, National Leader, Real Estate and Construction, MNP

Steven Kwasny, Partner, MNP

Women in Skilled Trades Agency Network (WiSTAN) Symposium

This 1-day conference will bring together community organizations, industry partners, and experienced tradeswomen to advance gender equity in the skilled trades.

Participants will hear firsthand insights from tradeswomen, learn about psychological safety and workplace culture, identify what supports and barriers exist throughout the trades journey, and contribute ideas for practical action.

This is not simply a day of conversation. It is a strategic connection point, bridging lived experiences with the organizations and systems that drive change. Come ready to strengthen relationships, identify gaps, and shape the future for WiSTAN and the broader skilled trades industry.

Date: October 26, 2026

Location: Fairbanks Interpretive Centre

Who should attend?

Tradeswomen in all their diversity
Employers, unions, training & apprenticeship providers
Community organizations, educators, industry associations

And all others committed to improving workplace culture in the skilled trades!

Foundations of Belonging in the Workplace

Foundations of Belonging in the Workplace is a free learning program designed for Nova Scotia's skilled trades sector. The program equips employers, supervisors, journey persons, apprentices, and workplace partners with practical strategies to create welcoming, inclusive, and productive workplaces. A respectful workplace is a safe workplace where employees feel valued, empowered, and treated fairly. It fosters proactive conflict resolution, reduces stress, strengthens communication and teamwork, and ultimately improves productivity.

Indigenous Youth Skilled Trades Fair

Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey will be hosting an Indigenous youth skilled trades fair from October 4-6 in Halifax! This fair is open to Indigenous students in grades 10-11, with priority for Mi'kmaw students from MK member communities.

All costs including meals & transportation will be covered!

For more information, please contact Claire Meuse at claire@kinu.ca

HRM Fall Job Fair — October 6 | Dartmouth

The Nova Scotia Works HRM Fall Job Fair takes place October 6, 2026, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Zatzman Sportsplex. It's a general hiring event rather than construction-only, but employers are actively recruiting. The spring edition had 116 companies, on-the-spot interviews and job offers. Employer booth registration is currently open and free for qualified employers.

More Information

Fall Forward Into a New Career Job Fair — October 14 | New Minas

Nova Scotia Works is hosting this job fair at the Louis Millett Community Complex from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Employers will be promoting current and upcoming opportunities, and the organizer says the participating-employer list will be released later in September.

Fall Forward Job Fair information