Nova Scotia non-profit organization shuts its doors

MetroWorks, a Nova Scotia non-profit organization that operated for nearly five decades, has closed.

The MetroWorks office on Bayers Road had two notices on the door Friday. One said the organization had filed for bankruptcy on Mar. 6 and the other was a statement about the closure. 

"It is with deep regret that we announce the closure of our beloved organization, effective immediately," it read.

MetroWorks had been in operation since 1977.

It operated social enterprises Stone Hearth Bakery, The Ampersand Café and Common Roots Urban Farm. It also ran the Cunard Learning Centre and employment skills programs for newcomers. 

On Friday, former employees arrived to see if the news was true. Two new clients arrived to use the organization's services but were turned away. 

"MetroWorks has played a vital role in supporting individuals and communities in Nova Scotia through employment, training, and social enterprise programs," president and CEO Dave Rideout said in an email.

"Unfortunately, over the last number of years, MetroWorks has experienced a series of financial setbacks. Despite extensive efforts to stabilize our financial position, MetroWorks has reached a point where continuing operations was no longer sustainable. As a result, we made the difficult decision to file for bankruptcy on March 6th, 2025."

Building relationships

Mike Casey was a volunteer tutor at the Cunard Learning Centre in English and math over the past five years. 

He volunteered on Thursday afternoons. 

"I happened to e-mail the centre saying I would like to do more tutoring and I was shocked," Casey said.

"I couldn't believe it. I got this email back saying, 'Look, we've gone bankrupt. MetroWorks and all our associated companies have gone bankrupt.'"

He said it felt good to give back to the community. 

"You build relationships with these people," he said.

$2.8M in total provincial funding in 2024-25

In an email to CBC News, a Labour Department spokesperson said MetroWorks received $2.4 million in operational funding for the 2024-25 fiscal year. That funding came from the Department of Opportunities and Social Development, and included $700,000 "to help them address cash flow challenges." 

The Labour Department provided an additional $400,000, bringing the total to $2.8 million.

"Staff are working with other education providers to help Cunard Learning Centre learners smoothly transition to new programs," the email said.