Premier Tim Houston said labour shortages are a provincial, national, and global issue.

Following the pandemic, Houston said the provincial government knows such shortages are

Premier Tim Houston (Communications Nova Scotia photo)

holding many businesses and sectors back,  but they are taking steps. He pointed to such measures as the skilled trades program, making anyone under 30 who is working in skilled trades eligible to pay no personal provincial income tax on their first $50,000 in income. Houston called it an innovative program that drew attention from several other jurisdictions.

Houston also pointed to immigration, noting the province`s population rose to over 1 million people as of December, calling it a significant milestone for the province.