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Economic Heart of Atlantic Canada

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Halifax is home to:

  • The headquarters of Canada’s largest and most profitable corporations, covering a broad range of sectors, including Emera (utilities), Clearwater Fine Foods, Farmer’s Co-Op (food) and Maritime Travel (tourism)
  • Most Atlantic Canadian headquarters of Canada’s largest companies, including Canada’s “Big 5” banks
  • The second largest concentration of financial services companies in Canada
  • The largest share of Department of National Defence assets in Canada, including the East Coast Navy
  • The largest commercial aerospace and defence cluster east of Montreal
  • One of the largest concentrations of health care facilities in Canada
  • The largest port and airport in Atlantic Canada
  • Six degree-granting institutions and three community college campuses enrolling over 30,000 students
  • Nearly 45% of Nova Scotia's population and 17% of Atlantic Canadians

Halifax's Major Employers

Company Name
SectorNumber of
Employees, 2010

% of Total
Employment

Capital Health
Healthcare 11,000
 5.0%
Department of National Defence - CFB Halifax
 Government7,400
 3.3%
Halifax Regional Municipality
 Government3,500
 1.6%
Dalhousie University
 Education3,500
 1.6%
IWK Health Centre
Healthcare3,400
 1.5%
Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Scott
 Government3,400
 1.5%
Bell Aliant Inc.
 Telecommunications1,800
 0.8%
I.M.P. Aerospace Division - Halifax
 Aerospace and Defence1,200
 0.5%
Staples Business Delivery
 Retail and Wholesale Trade1,100
 0.5%
BMO Financial Group
 Financial Services1,000
 0.5%
GEM Health Care Group
 Healthcare1,000
 0.5%
Saint Mary's University
Education 1,000
 0.5%
I.M.P. Group International Inc.
 Multiple industries900
 4.1%
Eastlink
Telecommunications 830
0.4%
Northwoodcare Inc.
Healthcare 800
0.4%
Manulife Financial
Financial Services 750
0.3%
Signature Resorts
 Hospitality750
0.3%
Convergys Canada
 ICT700
0.3%
Nova Scotia Power Inc., An Emera company
Utilities 700
0.3%
Bedford Institute of Oceanography
 Government650
0.3%
Blueocean Contact Centers
 ICT625
0.3%
Trade Centre Limited
Hospitality 620
0.3%
Canadian Coast Guard - Marine House
 Government600
0.3%
Mount Saint Vincent University
 Education600
0.3%

Source: Greater Halifax Partnership Smartbusiness Database

 

International businesses

These international businesses believe in the power of Halifax and have invested here. Both I.M.P. Group International and Jacques Whitford have their headquarters here. For more information on the companies listed below, please visit their respective websites.


 

NancyFor more information
contact:

 

 

 

Nancy Phillips
Director, Business Development
Greater Halifax Partnership

Tel: 902.490.6003      
Toll-free: 1.800.565.1191
greaterhalifax.com

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© Greater Halifax Partnership 

1969 Upper Water Street

Purdy's Tower II, Suite 2101

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3J 3R7

Telephone: 902.490.6000

Toll Free: 1.800.565.1191

Fax: 902.490.6010

e-mail: info@greaterhalifax.com