July Business News

According to the Canadian Press, a report recently released by the province, written by well-known economist and political scientist Donald Savoie, is advising Nova Scotia to invest more in research and cut corporate taxes in order to grow its economy. (Source: The Canadian Press, July 30, 2010) Read More

IT firms choose Nova Scotia for expansion
Nova Scotia’s information technology sector is welcoming two more companies to the mix. Irvine, California-based eEye Digital Security and Fredericton-based Radian6 are expanding with the support of the province through Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI). (Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 30, 2010) Read More

NSUARB puts biomass energy review on hold
CBC News is reporting that the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board has halted its review of a $208-million proposal to burn wood for power generation while it explores other options. (Source: CBC News, July 30, 2010)  Read More

Home resale prices take flight
CBC News is reporting that Canadian home resale prices in six cities were up over 13 per cent this past May compared to the previous year, according to a recently released report measuring resale prices in cities such as Halifax. (Source: CBC News, July 29, 2010) Read More

Bristol Group’s closure opens doors for m5
Gary Wadden, president of m5 Group of Companies, announced today that the company is expanding its team of professionals. The announcement comes on the heels of Bristol’s voluntary shutdown of that business earlier today. (Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 26, 2010) Read More

Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems wins $25M contract
Ultra Electronics announced today that its Maritime Systems (MS) division in Nova Scotia has been awarded a $25 million (Cdn) contract by the Defence Material Organization (DMO) in Den Haag, Netherlands. (Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 26, 2010)  Read More

Seaforth Energy secures $2M in financing
Seaforth Energy Inc., a leading wind turbine manufacturer and renewable energy integrator, has secured $2 million in financing from Innovacorp, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), Seaforth Engineering Group, and private investors. The funds will be used to accelerate the company’s export growth in new markets and scale up operations as it delivers on its committed backlog of orders.  (Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 26, 2010)  Read More

Government providing funding to help immigrants settle, integrate in Nova Scotia
Immigrants in Nova Scotia will now have more support to help them successfully settle and integrate into their new communities. The Office of Immigration is investing up to $306,000 in seven regional development authorities throughout the province that will provide staff, programs and services to help keep immigrants in Nova Scotia. (Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 23, 2010)  Read More

Workforce mobility key to meeting Atlantic construction needs
A new forecast of labour supply and demand in construction has industry leaders in Canada’s Atlantic provinces preparing for labour market shifts complicated by limited workforce growth. But the report says that despite volatility in specific sectors, employment levels in 2018 will be similar to what they are today. (Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 23, 2010) Read More

Pizza Pizza embarks on new voyage in Halifax
Pizza Pizza, Canada’s national pizza purveyor, has weighed anchor in its East Coast expansion voyage with the opening of the first restaurant serving downtown Halifax. The new location follows a recent Canada-wide expansion that has seen four new stores open in British Columbia, two in Regina and two in Winnipeg.  (Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 23, 2010)  Read More

Irving seeks ownership of Shelburne repair yard
CBC News is reporting that Irving Shipbuilding Inc. has its sights set on purchasing the Shelburne Ship Repair yard which it has been leasing from the provincial government for more than a decade. (Source: CBC News, July 22, 2010) Read More 

Economist heads to Gulf to assist in recovery assessment
On July 24, Fred Morley, executive vice president and chief economist for the Greater Halifax Partnership will travel to Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, to lend his expertise to an economic recovery assessment resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. (Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 22, 2010)  Read More

Natural gas production takes record dip
CBC News is reporting that recently released figures from the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board reveal the amount of natural gas produced so far in 2010 from offshore fields near Sable Island is the lowest since production began. (Source: CBC News, July 21, 2010)  Read More

New report touts importance of convention centre
A report released today by Trade Centre Limited (TCL) measures the significant impact the proposed new convention centre will have on the Nova Scotia economy from its operations, as well as from delegate and event planner spending.  (Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 21, 2010)  Read More

Province releases latest tourism stats
The provincial government recently released its latest tourism industry figures, revealing a rise in visitor numbers. Nova Scotia reportedly welcomed 614,100 visitors between January and May, up four per cent compared to the same time last year. (Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 21, 2010)  Read More

Nova Scotia and New Brunswick forge energy partnership
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick power companies are exploring the opportunity for a new 500-megawatt line that would more than double the electrical transmission capacity between the two provinces. (Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 20, 2010)  Read More 

Lockout could generate big business for Port of Halifax
CBC News is reporting that the Port of Halifax could see an increase in business in the wake of a continuing labour dispute at the Port of Montreal. (Source: CBC News, July 20, 2010)  Read More

Major power play generating big buzz
Tomorrow, Fredericton will be the site of a major announcement by Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter and New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham concerning the two provinces’ power utilities. (Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 19, 2010)  Read More 

Bell Aliant cuts not a surprise, says union
CBC News is reporting that recently announced cuts by Bell Aliant, which could cost hundreds their jobs, were expected, according to Phil Briffett of the Atlantic division of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union. (Source: CBC News, July 19, 2010) Read More 

Residential real estate sales expected to slow
Today, the Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® issued the latest Multiple Listing Service® statistics pertaining to single-family residential listings. The report reveals real estate sales appear to be slowing year-over-year as summer advances in Nova Scotia. (Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 19, 2010)  Read More 

Census changes bad for business and public, warns economist
CBC News is reporting that Ottawa’s decision to no longer require Canadians to fill out the long-form census has a prominent economist concerned that government and business won’t have access to the information they need. (Source: CBC News, July 16, 2010)  Read More

ATLANTIC REGION: Bell Aliant call centres targeted for closure
CBC News is reporting that Bell Aliant is planning to chop some of its telecommunications operations in Atlantic Canada in an attempt to minimize costs. Three of its five contact centres are expected to be eliminated. (Source: CBC News, July 16, 2010)  Read More 

Forest industry unites to fight harvesting changes
CBC News is reporting that major players in Nova Scotia’s forest industry are trying to rally support to fight the provincial government’s recent proposal to change harvesting methods. (Source: CBC News, July 15, 2010)  Read More 

Defence Minister promises shipbuilding boom
CBC News is reporting that Ottawa’s plan to purchase two new joint support ships to replace the navy’s aging supply vessels is moving ahead and there may even be an option for a third vessel. This information was revealed today at a news conference in Halifax led by Defence Minister Peter MacKay. (Source: CBC News, July 14, 2010)  Read More 

Feds award $59M contract for RCMP headquarters
The Government of Canada has awarded PCL Constructors Canada Inc. $59 million to build a new RCMP headquarters in Dartmouth. PCL is the largest general contracting organization 
in Canada and the eighth largest in the United
 States with an annual construction volume over $6 billion.  (Source: Metro Halifax, July 14, 2010)  Read More 

Melford and Maher strike deal for new east coast terminal
Melford International Terminal (MIT) announced today that it has signed an agreement with Maher Terminals, the operator of one of the largest marine container terminals in North America, in which Maher will become a shareholder in and provide services for a new container terminal to be located near Melford called Maher Melford Terminal. Maher Terminals, headquartered in New Jersey, operates world-class marine container terminals in Prince Rupert, British Columbia as well as Port Elizabeth, New Jersey. (Source: By The Daily Business Buzz, July 7, 2010)  Read More

HRM approves report to revitalize downtown
One thing that all 23 of HRM’s councillors can agree on is that there are many metaphors for the downtown.  But whether it be the heart, the root or what have you, a new municipal initiative is set to address issues of vacant lots and stagnant development in the urban core. Council voted last night to approve Capital Ideas, a report detailing how to bring public and private stakeholders together to stimulate downtown development. (Source: Metro Halifax, July 7, 2010)  Read More

Action needed now to save downtown Halifax, say leaders
“Immediate and decisive action” is required to prevent a “hollowing out” of downtown Halifax, according to municipal staff. Capital Ideas, a staff report coming before Halifax regional council tomorrow, recommends forming a committee to address the municipality’s declining urban core. The Strategic Urban Partnership, comprised of both business and public stakeholders, will report back to council in six months. (Source: Metro Halifax, July 5, 2010)  Read More

Too few council seats would not save money: Dalrymple
Whether or not regional council agrees to cut the number of councillors from 23 to 20, Coun. Barry Dalrymple hopes the recommendation to give more power to community councils is approved. (Source: Halifax News Net, July 2, 2010)  Read More