The Canadian province of Nova Scotia is deepening its ties with the Philippines beyond labor recruitment, aiming to align education standards between the two countries to ease worker mobility and recognition of qualifications.

In a statement during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Nova Scotia Deputy Minister for Advanced Education Tracey Barbrick said the province is exploring a pilot program that would integrate its healthcare curriculum into Philippine-based learning institutions.

Barbrick acknowledged the critical role of Filipinos in their healthcare system, noting that Filipino nurses make up 58 percent of the province’s internationally educated nursing workforce. That group accounts for 5 to 6 percent of Nova Scotia’s 15,000-strong nursing labor force. She also emphasized Filipino workers’ growing presence in Nova Scotia’s construction industry.

Authorities are now looking to align curricula across professions to ensure that educational qualifications are recognized in both countries.

“The other thing we’re looking at is the concept of dual credentialing, so a person could do a degree here [in the Philippines], and get recognition in Nova Scotia for the same degree through an institution arranged in between a university here and a university in Nova Scotia,” Barbrick said.

The MOU commits both governments to promote ethical, skills-based labor mobility, with programs focused on worker welfare, education, and fair treatment.

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said employment opportunities in Nova Scotia are available in food services, construction, and supervisory roles.

From January to December 2024, 3,012 overseas Filipino workers were deployed to Nova Scotia through private recruitment, with 151 hired directly, DMW data showed.