Useful Resources for Business

If you are interested in doing business or establishing a business in Nova Scotia, the following websites may help you.

Registration of Business and Legal Considerations

Access Nova Scotia-Registry of Joint Stocks
You must register the name of your business with the Registry of Joint Stocks unless your business name is just your first and last name. When you register your business name you are ensuring that no one else is carrying on business under that name. For the Nova Scotia Business Registry – Online Services go to following website: www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/nsbr/entry.asp

Taxation

Canada Revenue Agency
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers tax laws for the Government of Canada and for most provinces and territories as well as various social and economic benefit and incentive programs delivered through the tax system.

Legal Considerations

Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia
Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia provides you with information and resources about the law in Nova Scotia. We encourage you to learn about the laws that affect you, and your legal rights and responsibilities.

Information on Business

Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a system of over 120 independent, local BBBs working with businesses and consumers to resolve complaints and keep the public informed.

Canada Business - Nova Scotia 
The Canada Business - Nova Scotia is a joint federal-provincial information centre that provides information about business programs.

Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development
Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development Incorporated (CEED) is an innovation centre that assists governments, organizations and communities in helping people achieve their potential through entrepreneurship.

Centre for Women in Business
The Centre develops programs to uphold the mission of the Mount Saint Vincent University which is dedicated to the education of women. In doing this, the Centre offers many programs which anyone interested in starting or growing their own business can take part in.

Connections (An immigrant guide to starting a business)
Connections is a business start-up guide for immigrants. The guide is produced by the Canada Business - Nova Scotia and the Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association.

Entrepreneurs’ Forum of Nova Scotia
The Entrepreneurs' Forum is a non-profit organization that provides confidential advice to new and growing companies. Volunteer advisors are from a variety of businesses and technical fields.

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network
Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network is a non-profit organization that provides support, inspiration and networking to serve thousands of people with disabilities turn ideas of owning a business into reality.

InNOVAcorp
InNOVAcorp helps early stage Nova Scotia companies commercialize their technologies and succeed in the global marketplace. Their High Performance Incubation (HPi)™ business model fosters innovation and entrepreneurial success.

Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association (Immigrant Business Development Services)
Immigrant Business Development Services provides a range of services for immigrants at different stages of business development. These include: individual information and referral, workshops and seminars, and opportunities to connect with the business community

Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities
The Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities - or NSARDA - is the link between the Nova Scotia RDAs, providing support and collective strength. There are 13 RDAs in Nova Scotia. RDAs are community-based groups helping individual and community ventures succeed. From partnerships, to business advice, to government navigation, Nova Scotia RDAs are the first-stop in the road to successful communities.

Nova Scotia Business Idea Explorer
With start-up basics, market information, and helpful advice on fifty different kinds of businesses, not to mention a wealth of small business information and lots of useful links, the Nova Scotia Business Idea Explorer is a valuable resource for entrepreneurs.

Open for Business
The Open for Business Network is a network of storefront entrepreneurial centres that introduces entrepreneurship and helps with the how to's and next steps.

Service Canada (Canada Business)
This site provides links and information on various aspects of business including starting a business, human resources, financing, exporting, importing, etc.

Small Business Centre of Chamber of Commerce
This Centre will provide you with access to small business centre-related information including expert business-advice from major financial institutions, experts on marketing, business law and other areas from the Chamber membership as well as links to Industry Canada’s e-business site, Student Connections and members’ only discussion forum.

Student Connections
Students provide for a fee E-business basic training, customized training and presentations for business, computer and internet basics for business, and computer and internet basics for seniors.

Financial Support

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
ACOA is a federal government agency. Headquartered in the Atlantic Region, ACOA's goal is to improve the economy of Atlantic Canadian communities through the successful development of business and job opportunities.

Black Business Initiative
The Black Business Initiative (BBI) is a Province-wide business development initiative committed to fostering the growth of businesses owned by members of the Africain Nova Scotia Community.

Business Development Bank of Canada
The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is a financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada. BDC plays a leadership role in delivering financial, investment and consulting services to Canadian small businesses, with a particular focus on the technology and export sectors of the economy.

Community Business Development Corporations
Community Business Development Corporations stimulate private sector employment in rural Atlantic Canada through business financing, counselling and advisory services to small businesses.

Community Economic Development Investment Funds
The Community Economic Development Investment Funds is a pool of capital, formed through the sale of shares (or units), to persons within a defined community, created to operate or invest in local business. It cannot be charitable, non-taxable, or not-for-profit, and must have at least six directors elected from their defined community.

Credit Unions of Nova Scotia – Small Business Financing Program
Through an exclusive partnership with the provincial government and the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council, credit unions are delivering financial assistance to establish new business, grow existing business and empower entrepreneurs with the support they need to create employment for themselves and others.

Nova Scotia Business Inc.
Nova Scotia Business Inc. works on constantly improving Nova Scotia's business climate, and is the province's primary point of access for investors and businesses.

Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development
The Office of Economic Development is the hub of Nova Scotia’s economic development, innovation and technology system. In partnership with businesses, governments and communities, the Office provides corporate leadership in creating the conditions for a thriving economy throughout the province.

Students in Business
The Students in Business Program is a government sponsored interest-free loan program for students in Nova Scotia wanting to start their own business. The program is managed by the Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) and is funded by federal and provincial government agencies throughout Nova Scotia.

Women in Business Initiative
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Women in Business Initiative (WBI) provides you with the business tools and resources you need to succeed.

Labour Market Information

Nova Scotia Department of Education
The department is responsible for all matters relating to public school education and teaching, post-secondary education, including financial assistance for students; apprenticeship; trades, technical, technological and applied arts training; and the Provincial Library.

Nova Scotia Department of Finance
The Department of Finance website lists a number of publications that give insight into Nova Scotia's economy and business climate.

Service Canada
Service Canada helps Canadians access a wide range of the government services and benefits they need quickly and easily. Service Canada’s goal is to provide Canadians with one-stop, personalized service they can access however they choose – by telephone, Internet, or in person.

TargetNovaScotia.com
TargetNovaScotia.com answers key questions about Nova Scotia. You can assemble up-to-date and accurate information on any community or county in the province. Construct your own community profile and let the interactive map take you there.

Trade Team Nova Scotia
Trade Team Nova Scotia is a partnership of government and private sector organizations dedicated to stimulating export activity in Nova Scotia. This site provides links to other important trade resources, and the events calendar maintains an up-to-date listing of trade events that may interest Nova Scotia exporters.