The Greater Halifax Partnership can help your company maximize the
cost benefits of our business environment when opening a business in
Halifax by:
- Offering you opportunities for networking at our events and making vital connections in the business community
- Providing information to your relocating employees
Business development agencies and resources in Halifax
Access Nova Scotia
Everything you need to know to start and operate a business in Greater Halifax
BizPal is an online, one-stop service for entrepreneurs that simplifies
the process of finding information on business permits and licences from
all levels of government - federal, provincial, and municipal. Simply
answer a series of questions to obtain a list of permits and licences
specific to your business activities, which includes basic information
and links to more details where available.- Nova Scotia Business Registry -
Register a business; Apply for, pay, and renew business licenses; View
and change business information; Receive tender opportunities by email
- Permits & Licences - This directory contains information on more than 450 licences,
permits, registrations, certifications, and related services
administered by Province of Nova Scotia Departments and Agencies.
- Nova Scotia Labour Standards Division - In Nova Scotia, the employer-employee relationship is governed by the
Labour Standards Code. The Labour Standards Division, which is part of
the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour, is responsible for
the Code. The website offers a plain language Guide to the Code, a
chart of paid and unpaid holidays in Nova Scotia, and fact sheets on
topics such as vacation pay, overtime, minimum wage, exceptions for
certain industry sectors, and more.
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
ACOA works with its many partners to help individuals involved in small
and medium-sized enterprises acquire the financial resources needed to
succeed and create jobs in the Atlantic region.
Blue Water Community Business Development Corporation
CBDC
Blue Water is one of over 40 Community Business Development
Corporations (CBDCs) serving Atlantic Canada. Being a CBDC, we promote
economic development in rural areas by providing financial assistance,
training and counselling to small businesses.
Canada Business – Nova Scotia
Starting or Expanding your business – an ideal starting point for
anyone in Nova Scotia. Our goal is to provide your business with the
resources it needs to grow and prosper, including a wide range of
information on government services, programs and regulations. Canada
Business promotes entrepreneurship and innovation, and provides
assistance through an organized network of service centres across
Canada. Canada Business is a collaborative arrangement among federal
departments and agencies, provincial and territorial governments and
not-for-profit entities.
Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED)
An innovation centre that assists governments, organizations, and
communities in helping people achieve their potential through
entrepreneurship. CEED nurtures entrepreneurship in people by acting as a
catalyst in the areas of entrepreneurship education, research and
program design, professional development, and community
entrepreneurship.
Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI)
NSBI focuses its activities in four areas: business attraction,
business retention and expansion, trade promotion, and lending and
finance.
Saint Mary's University Business Development Centre
Assisting businesses at all stages of development, from start-up to
times of difficulty, the SMU Business Development Centre produces
cost-effective solutions for private, public, and not-for-profit
clients. Through professional consulting services, international
programs, skills development and training, experiential student
learning, and university resources, staff can help in all functional
areas of business - accounting, finance, human resources, management,
marketing, and operations.
Immigrant Settlement & Integration Services (ISIS)/ Business Development Services
ISIS Business Development Services works to build a diverse business
community. We provide immigrants and international students with the
tools you need to start and grow your business. ISIS has a dedicated
team of business professionals to assist you in what you need to do
before, during, and after opening your business. Business Services also
creates links with the business community at large and promotes
contributions of immigrants, while addressing the challenges which they
encounter.
Strategis
Strategis is Industry Canada’s comprehensive business information
source offering timely business and consumer information, business
management tools, government services on the Internet, an extensive
directory of Canadian financial providers, a powerful search engine of
financial providers, information on different types of financing and
financial providers, and tips to help you secure financing.
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
The Business Development Bank of Canada is dedicated to helping create
and develop Canadian small and medium-sized businesses. As a financial
institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada, the BDC plays a
leadership role in delivering financial and consulting services with a
focus on the technology and export sectors of the economy.
Invest in Canada
The
Invest in Canada website is a one-stop shop for those looking to
establish or expand a business in Canada. It provides information and
statistics for companies, investors, and entrepreneurs, to ensure that
they are able to make informed decisions about venturing into the
Canadian business environment.
Local Business
In addition to these agencies, many Greater Halifax Partnership investors work with companies to help establish and grow businesses. See our list
of Investors to find out which companies can help your company.