Advocacy Efforts

Feb 5, 2025 –

We welcome the Municipality’s decision to freeze new hiring, consistent with our Pre-Budget Submission recommendation from 2025-26. This is an important to step to stem the rising costs of staff compensation, a key driver of municipal budget deficits and rising property taxes. To read our 2025-26 recommendations, Click here.

Feb 3, 2025 – The Chamber was pleased to host the Hon. Fred Tilley, Nova Scotia Minister of Public Works. The discussion highlighted key initiatives and strategies related to the transportation network in Nova Scotia including, traffic congestion, public transit, the movement of goods, and the new Regional Transportation Plan. Click Here to see read about some highlights from the event.

 

 

 

Feb 2, 2025 – The Chamber’s policy team has submitted our recommendations to the Municipality ahead of their 2026-27 Budget. Our submission aims to offer practical, creative solutions to challenges being faced by the municipality that reflect the local business community’s perspective and help make growth manageable, affordable, and competitive over the long term. To read our 2026-27 Municipal Pre-Budget Report Click Here.

Jan 30, 2025 – The Chamber was pleased to host the Hon. Lena Metlege Diab, Federal Minister of Immigration. The event examined Canada’s evolving immigration policies in response to housing, labour, and demographic challenges. It covered how the federal government sets sustainable immigration levels, prioritizes critical skills, and balances national and regional needs, especially in Atlantic Canada. Click Here to see other upcoming political events.

 

 

Jan 14, 2025 – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce hosted Tom Osborne, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board, for a roundtable discussion with members of our business community. We talked about federal priorities impacting Atlantic Canada, including efforts to reduce red tape, remove internal trade barriers, advance the Buy Canada Policy, and strengthen economic growth through more streamlined and competitive business practices.

Jan 7, 2026 – Garnett Genuis, Conservative MP and Shadow Minister for Employment, was in Halifax for a series of meetings with local stakeholders, students, and community members, discussing workforce and employment-related issues.

 

Dec 3, 2025 – The Chamber hosted the CEO of Halifax Water, Kenda Mackenzie, to discuss recent announcements around rising rates, deficits, infrastructure demands, and emergency preparedness for the city’s public utility.

 

Nov 28, 2025 – We were thrilled to host the Federal Finance Minister, the Hon. Francois-Phillippe Champagne, for a luncheon at the Westin last week. Members had the opportunity to hear directly about the latest economic priorities, budget insights, and opportunities for our region. A great discussion on shaping a strong economic future for Nova Scotia and Canada.

 

Nov 26, 2025 – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce was grateful to host the Nova Scotia Minister of Environment & Climate Change and  Minister of Service Efficiency, the Hon. Tim Halman . Members engaged in meaningful discussions on climate action, government efficiency, and policy priorities shaping Nova Scotia’s future. 

 

 

Nov 18, 2025 – The Chamber was pleased to host the Hon. Nolan Young, Nova Scotia Minister of Labour, Skills, and Immigration. The discussion highlighted key initatives and strategies to support workforce development, address skills shortages, and enhance immigration pathways for Nova Scotia’s growing economy. 

 

Nov 10, 2025 – The Chamber hosted the Canadian Federal Minister of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Federal Minister of Justice, the Hon. Sean Fraser, to disucss the new federal budget, opportunities for Atlantic Canada, and recent changes from the Justice Department. 

 

 

Oct 28, 2025  -The Chamber’s policy team has submitted a Policy Brief on Bill No. 3, highlighting the need for fair and balanced representation across Nova Scotia. We’re advocating for a full and schedfuled boundar review to ensure fast-growing regions like HRM receive representation that reflects their populations. Click here to read the full brief. 

Oct 16 2025 – The Chamber’s Policy team held a meeting with the Deputy First Minister of Scotland to discuss the local economy in Halifax, promote opportunities, and enhance the relationship with our local Gaelic business community in Nova Scotia. 

 

 

Sept 25, 2025 – The Chamber’s Policy team met with the German Canadian Association to discuss the local Halifax economy and the ongoing trade relationship and opportunities between Halifax and Germany. 

 

 

Sept 18, 2025 – The Chamber hosted the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, to discuss the ongoing trade disputes between the U.S. and Canada, their impact on Nova Scotian businesses, and opportunities to strengthen cross-border collaboration. The conversation focused on fostering a stable trade environment, addressing tariff-related challenges, and it provided key insights or future conversations/negotiations with U.S. officials going forward. 

 

Sept 2, 2025 – The Chamber’s Policy team met with French Officials from the Canada-France Parliamentary Association, which comprises approximately 20 individuals, including 8 French Parliamentarians. The roundtable highlighted and educated the group on our local economy, opportunities in Halifax, and the cooperation between France and Nova Scotia through the Canadian European Free Trade Agreement (CETA). 

 

 

Aug 22, 2025 – The Chamber hosted the Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change to discuss Canada’s and Nova Scotia’s progress in addressing Climate Change. highlighting ongoing efforts to reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and support sustainable economic growth. The conversation also provided our members with an opportunity to engage directly on emerging policies, regulatory changes, and the role businesses can play in advancing a cleaner, more competitive future.

Aug 21, 2025 – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce expressed our concerns to the Prime Minister and other Federal Ministers about the potential labour disruption at Air Canada due to unresolved negotiations with CUPE, representing flight attendants. The Chamber emphasizes the critical role Halifax Stanfield Airport and Air Canada play in the region’s economy, especially during the peak tourism season. They highlight the economic risks of flight cancellations, including major losses to businesses and government revenue. To read the letter Click Here. 

Aug 13, 2025 – Federal government officials from the Privy Council Office (PCO) delivered an in-person consultation regarding the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act at the Halifax Chamber of Commerce’s office on August 13.

The session focused on interprovincial labour mobility, recognition of provincial regulations, and professional credentials. If your business is experiencing any barriers, please report them to the PCO using the regulatory barrier reporting tool.

 

Jul 17, 2025 – The chamber’s policy team met with HRM’s Planning and Development Department to discuss to plans for the redevelopment of Young District in the North End of Halifax. This plan paves the way for the Young District to become a high-density, mixed-use urban neighborhood, with housing, jobs, and services near two future BRT lines. The plan allows for around 12,500 new units, supporting up to 26,500 new residents. For more information, Click Here.

Jun 20 2025 – The Chamber was pleased to host the Honourable John Lohr, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Finance, for an engaging and informative discussion on the 2025–26 provincial budget and the future of our province’s economy. Minister Lohr walked attendees through key highlights of the new budget, including historic tax cuts, significant infrastructure investment, and targeted measures to address affordability across Nova Scotia. Together, we continue to advocate for a strong, inclusive, and sustainable economic future for Nova Scotia.

 

 

 

 

Jun 6, 2025 – The Chamber was proud to welcome the Honourable Minister of Health and Wellness, Michelle Thompson, alongside Karen Oldfield, CEO of Nova Scotia Health, for a candid and forward-looking discussion on the future of healthcare in our province. This event reinforced that the intersection between healthcare and the economy cannot be ignored. Businesses depend on healthy communities, and healthy communities depend on accessible, high-quality care.

 

 

Apr 28, 2025 – The Chamber team and members of the Chamber Board of Directors were given a tour of the Halifax Shipyard and met with the Irving Shipbuilding Inc. CEO, Dirk Lesko to discuss the economic impat on contributions of the national shipbuilding intiatives. The shipyard has been contracted to build 15 destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy.

 

 

 

 

 

Apr 14, 2025 – The Chamber hosted Mayor Andy Filmore for his first State of the Municipality event before an audience of 800-plus members, providing a valuable platform to discuss Halifax’s priorities, emerging opportunities, and the path forward for a growing, thriving municipality.

 

 

Apr 3, 2025 – The Chambers of Commerce representing the four Atlantic capital cities hosted the first roundtable discussion on Atlantic interprovincial trade: The virtual roundtable discussion brought together members and staff from each of the Chambers, including industry associations from each of their respected provinces to discuss accelerating recent provincial efforts to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers between the four Atlantic provinces.

Apr 1, 2025 – The Chamber’s Policy team attended a roundtable discussion hosted by Digital NS to discuss the impacts of trade barriers, trade opportunities, and impacts of tariffs on the Nova Scotian digital economy.

Apr 1, 2025 – The Chamber’s policy team met with the NS Department of Intergovernmental Affairs team to discuss their Trade Action Plan, and our Trade Accelerator Program.  For more information on our Trade Accelerator Program, Click Here.

Apr 1, 2025 – Every year businesses and residents are facing significant increases to their municipal property tax bills. Through targeted recommendations on affordability, labour, and infrastructure, the Chamber is pushing for better outcomes. To read our full 2025/26 Municipal Pre-Budget Submission, Click Here. 

Mar 31, 2025 – The Chamber submits a letter to the Hon. Francois-Phillipe Champagne, Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, to urgently seek funding renewal for the nationally recognized Trade Accelerator Program (TAP). To read the advocacy letter, Click Here. 

Mar 25, 2025 – The Chamber submits letter to the Hon. Marc Miller, Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to express concerns about the impacts of recent cuts to the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).. To read the advocacy letter, Click Here. 

Feb 7, 2025 – To better understand the impacts of Tariffs, the Chamber recently hosted Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, the Hon. Melanie Joly to discuss her recent trips to engage U.S. policymakers in Washington, D.C. 

 

 

 

Feb 29, 2025 – One of the Chamber’s key advocacy pillars is Affordability. Below are some recent announcements on areas that we’ve previously advocated change for:

Small Business Tax Rate Reduction & Threshold Increase:

The small business tax rate in N.S. will be reduced from 2.5% to 1.5%. Additionally, the small business income threshold will be increased from $500K to $700K. These Changes are expected to save approximately 19,000 businesses across N.S. $47M.

Basic Personal Amount (BPA) Increase and Indexed to inflation:

The BPA will be increased from $8,481 to $11,744. This reduction to income taxes will provide millions of dollars of savings to 568,000 Nova Scotians.

Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) Reduction:

The province is reducing its portion of the HST by 1% effective April 1, 2025, from 15% to 14%. The value of the reduction is $293M in 2025-26.

 

Feb 29, 2025 – One of the Chamber’s key advocacy pillars is Infrastructure. Below are some recent announcements on areas that we’ve previously advocated for:

Province helping to fund transportation-related infrastructure in HRM:
The province has laid out nearly $3 million for the purchase of land to support HRM’s Robie Street Transportation Corridor, a project that’s part of HRM’s Bud Rapid Transit Strategy.

 

Jan 11, 2025 – Every year businesses and residents are facing significant increases to their municipal property tax bills. Through targeted recommendations on affordability, labour, and infrastructure. To read our full 2025/26 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission, Click Here.