New professionals on tap? The human resource challenges in developing a new generation of municipal and local government managers in Nova Scotia

Canadian governments are facing significant human resource management challenges due to pending retirements, projected labour market shortages and the workplace expectations of New Professionals. This paper explores human resource recruitment planning initiatives which have been undertaken by Nova Scotia municipalities in order to attract and retain a new generation of municipal government managers. We will argue, in line with a recent Association of Municipal Administrators of Nova Scotia municipal report, that Nova Scotia municipalities must take intergenerational issues into account for management succession planning to be successful. Our exploration of municipal succession planning will take place in the context of a larger study that we have completed on "New Professional" recruitment, retention and development initiatives in Canada.