As Donald Trump hinted at seeking re-election, Heather O’Dell began contemplating an exit strategy. She felt a sense of unease about the potential outcome despite her inability to comprehend how it might transpire. Being an American citizen, O’Dell harbored concerns about the country’s future trajectory and her personal safety as a transgender individual. The possibility of the federal government swiftly revoking her gender-related documentation like passport and driver’s license added to her apprehensions.
In anticipation of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, O’Dell, then a newly licensed nurse in Vermont, pursued a nursing permit in Nova Scotia. Shortly after Trump’s election triumph, she informed her colleagues of her departure. By late December, O’Dell had relocated to Halifax and commenced her role as a cardiovascular intensive care nurse on January 1, 2025. Her decision to move to Nova Scotia was spontaneous and unwavering, without even visiting beforehand.
O’Dell is among many healthcare professionals from the U.S. who migrated to Nova Scotia in the past year, drawn by the prospect of a more hospitable environment. Nova Scotia Health reported an increase in the recruitment of American healthcare workers, with 50 individuals joining the workforce in the past fiscal year, compared to 31 in 2024.
Steve and Matt Ortiz, a nursing duo with extensive experience, also made the move from Orlando, Florida, to Nova Scotia due to escalating anti-2SLGBTQ+ sentiments in their home state following Trump’s election. Despite facing skepticism about their decision, the Ortizes found solace in Nova Scotia, where they secured nursing positions at Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow. Their stress levels significantly decreased after settling in Nova Scotia, where they acquired an old Victorian home and envisioned a long-term residency.
A volunteer-run initiative, spearheaded by Tod Maffin, aims to facilitate the relocation of more American healthcare professionals to Canada. Initially prompted by escalating tariffs and political tensions between Canada and the U.S., Maffin’s initiative evolved into a platform called Canada’s Healthcare Infusions, offering resources for healthcare workers contemplating a move to Canada.
Heather O’Dell, now pursuing permanent residency and renouncing her U.S. citizenship, is actively engaging with others online, encouraging gender-diverse individuals to consider Nova Scotia as a welcoming destination. The supportive community in Nova Scotia has solidified the confidence of newcomers like the Ortizes in their decision to settle in the province.