Sick Notes for Military & DND Civilian Workers in Nova Scotia

CFB Halifax is one of Nova Scotia's largest employers. Whether you're CAF, DND civilian, or a military family member, here's how sick notes work for you.

Sick Notes for Military & DND Workers in Nova Scotia

Canadian Forces Base Halifax is one of the largest military installations in Canada, with thousands of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, Department of National Defence (DND) civilian employees, and military families. Each group has different sick note requirements.

Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Members

Important: CAF members have a separate medical system.

If you're a serving CAF member (Regular Force or Class B/C Reserve):

  • You use CF Health Services (the military medical system)

  • Your primary care is through the CF Health Services Centre Halifax (on base)

  • You do NOT use the provincial healthcare system for routine care

  • Sick leave is managed through your chain of command and the Medical Officer (MO)


CAF sick leave process:
1. Report sick to your supervisor/duty NCO
2. Attend sick parade or book appointment at CF Health Services
3. The Medical Officer determines your medical category and restrictions
4. A "chit" (medical employment limitation) is issued if needed
5. No civilian sick note is required — the military system handles everything

When CAF members might need MedLetter:

  • Transitioning out of the military (release process) and needing civilian documentation

  • On leave and unable to access CF Health Services

  • Reserve Force (Class A) members who use the civilian system

  • Veterans who've been released and are now civilian employees


DND Civilian Employees

DND civilian employees at CFB Halifax, HMC Dockyard, and other DND facilities are federally regulated workers:

  • Fall under the Canada Labour Code (not NS Labour Standards)

  • Sick note can be requested after 3+ consecutive days absent

  • Covered by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) or other federal unions

  • Use the civilian healthcare system (not CF Health Services)


DND civilian sick leave entitlements:
  • 15 paid sick days per year (federal public service)

  • Sick note required after 3 consecutive days (collective agreement)

  • Long-term disability through Sun Life/Great-West Life


The challenge for DND civilians:
  • You're federally regulated, so NS's 5-day rule doesn't apply to you

  • Your threshold is 3 days (stricter than provincial)

  • Halifax's walk-in clinic waits still apply to you

  • MedLetter can provide documentation for the 3-day federal threshold


Military Families

Military families (spouses, dependents) in the Halifax area face unique healthcare challenges:

The posting problem:

  • Families posted to Halifax often arrive without a family doctor

  • The NS family doctor waitlist is 140,000+ people

  • Military families move every 2–4 years, making it hard to establish care

  • Each posting means starting over on a new provincial waitlist


Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) Halifax:
  • Provides some health navigation support

  • Cannot issue sick notes

  • Can help connect families with healthcare resources

  • Contact: 902-427-7788


Options for military families needing sick notes:
  • Walk-in clinics (2–4 hour waits)

  • MedLetter (online, same-day, $49)

  • Base hospital (CAF members only, not families)

  • ER (emergencies only)


Shipyard Workers (Irving Shipbuilding)

Irving Shipbuilding at the Halifax Shipyard builds Canada's naval vessels. Workers there are:

  • Provincially regulated (NS Labour Standards apply)

  • 5-day threshold applies (no note required under 5 days)

  • Safety-sensitive work: May require fitness-for-duty clearance for return after extended absence

  • Unifor members: Check collective agreement for specific provisions


12 Wing Shearwater

Personnel at 12 Wing Shearwater (military air base in Dartmouth):

  • CAF members: Use CF Health Services

  • DND civilians: Federal rules (3-day threshold)

  • Contracted workers: Provincial rules (5-day threshold)


Reserve Force Members (Class A)

Class A Reservists in Nova Scotia (HMCS Scotian, 33 Service Battalion, etc.):

  • Use the civilian healthcare system for routine care

  • Provincial rules apply for civilian employment

  • Reserve duty absences are handled through the unit

  • May need civilian sick notes for their regular (non-military) employer


Key Takeaway

The military community in Halifax has complex sick note requirements depending on your status — CAF members use the military medical system, DND civilians follow federal rules (3-day threshold), and military families use the provincial system (5-day threshold). For DND civilians and military families who need documentation without a 3-hour walk-in clinic wait, MedLetter provides same-day sick notes from CPSNS-registered physicians. CAF members should use CF Health Services for their primary documentation needs.