Affordability
Our Initiative: Lowering the cost of living and doing business boosts the local economy by supporting residents, enabling business growth, attracting talent, and strengthening long-term economic resilience.
Areas of Focus:
- Cost of doing business (e.g. property, corporate, payroll taxes & fees)
- Cost of living (e.g., housing, rent, utilities, income taxes)
Our Recent Advocacy Work on Affordability
Chamber hosts N.S. Minister of Finance to discuss affordability in Nova Scotia
June 20, 2025 – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce hosts the Hon. John Lohr, Nova Scotia Minister of Finance and Treasury Board for a Luncheon on the newly released budget.
Chamber hosts Mayor of HRM to discuss State of the Municipality
April 7, 2025 – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce hosts HRM Mayor Filmore for his inaugural State of the Municipality where he discussed the priorities for the Municipality and how affordability is impacting residents and businesses.
Chamber Advocates for Lower Commercial Property Taxes in HRM
March 21, 2025 – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce submitted its Municipal pre-budget submission with a recommendation that HRM should reduce commercial tax rates so that the Municipal Tax Bill for commercial properties does not surpass the level of inflation from that year (+2.7%). This approach will allow the municipality to manage rising staffing costs for services provided to businesses, while also aligning with the Province’s efforts to reduce the tax burden on businesses in Nova Scotia. To learn more about this recommendation Click Here
Chamber's Policy team meets with N.S. Liberal Caucus to discuss affordability
February 25, 2025 – The Chamber’s Policy met with the NS Liberal Caucus to discuss our recommendations in our Provincial Pre-Budget Submission, including our Affordability recommendation around increasing the BPA for Nova Scotians
Chamber Advocates for an increase to the Basic Personal Amounts (lower income taxes)
January 28, 2025 – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce submitted its Provincial Pre-Budget Submission with a recommendation to increase the Province’s Basic Personal Amount, and other income tax credits to $15,000, indexed yearly to inflation (temporarily maintaining the existing income threshold claw back provision.) To learn more about this recommendation Click Here.
Affordability News & Announcements
Province Lowers Personal Income Taxes in Nova Scotia
March 31, 2025 – The Province has increased the basic personal amount that Nova Scotians can claim before paying taxes from $8,744 to $11,744, and implemented indexing of tax brackets and several non-refundable tax credits to help reduce the impact of inflation. For more information Click Here
Province Lowers Sales Taxes in Nova Scotia
March 31, 2025 – Starting Tuesday, April 1, Nova Scotians will pay less for goods and services as the province cuts its portion of the harmonized sales tax (HST) by one per cent, lowering the overall tax rate to 14 per cent. For more information Click Here
Province Lowers Small Business Tax Rates in Nova Scotia
March 31, 2025 – The government is helping small businesses gain a competitive edge by reducing the small business tax rate from 2.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent and increasing the small business income threshold from $500,000 to $700,000. These changes will mean about $47 million in savings for 19,000 Nova Scotian businesses. For more information Click Here
The Tax Rate in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) Will Remain Flat
March 28, 2025 – The tax rate in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) will remain flat. The tax rate will be the same as last year’s $0.770 per $100 of assessment. Even though the rate won’t increase, rising property assessments mean the average single-family residential tax bill with a home assessment of $338,500 will go up about 4.7 per cent this coming year. For more information Click Here
Labour
Our Initiative: Addressing labour shortages in key sectors like construction and healthcare by boosting local training, attracting talent, and streamlining skilled worker pathways will help to build a resilient workforce which will support long-term growth.
Areas of Focus:
- Skilled trades labour shortages
- Newcommer attraction & retention
- Workforce development
Our Recent Advocacy Work on Labour
Chamber Hosts Mayor of HRM to discuss State of the Municipality
April 7, 2025 – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce hosts HRM Mayor Filmore for his inaugural State of the Municipality where he discussed the priorities for the Municipality and how affordability is impacting residents and businesses.
Chamber Advocates for a 2-year Freeze to All Non-Essential Municipal Hiring
March 21, 2025 – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce submitted its Municipal pre-budget submission with a recommendation that HRM should implement a two-year new hiring freeze on all non-essential positions. Based on the need to limit yearly property tax bill increases, HRM needs to implement a two-year new hiring freeze for all non-essential municipal positions. This strategic action will ensure the municipality can limit their need to generate more tax revenues. To learn more about this recommendation Click Here
Chamber Hosts CEO of Worker’s Compensation Board NS
June 20, 2025 – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce hosts Karen Adams, CEO of the WCB NS to discuss workplace safety, employer payroll costs, and return to work programs.
Chamber’s Policy Team Meets with NS Liberal Caucus to Discuss Labour
February 25, 2025 – The Chamber’s Policy met with the NS Liberal Caucus to discuss our recommendations in our Provincial Pre-Budget Submission, including our Labour recommendation around recruitment of under-represented groups in the skilled trades industries.
Chamber Advocates for Legislative Changes to Support Skilled Trades Recruitment
January 28, 2025 – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce submitted its Provincial Pre-Budget Submission with a recommendation to Increase Employment of Under Employed Groups in Skilled Trades. To boost employment among under-employed groups in skilled trades, the proposal suggests investing in industry-led, direct-entry training tailored to current job opportunities. It also recommends expanding existing Community Benefits and Procurement Policies to ensure more work is allocated to apprentices and under-represented groups. To learn more about this recommendation Click Here.
Labour News & Annoucements
Province Invests to Connect Nova Scotians to Skilled Trades
April 10, 2025 – The Journeyperson Financial Incentive Program provides up to $2,500 to journeypersons actively mentoring apprentices. The goal of the new program is to increase the number of apprentices becoming certified journeypersons. For more information Click Here
New Incentive Program for Journeypersons Mentoring Apprentices
August 1, 2024 – The Journeyperson Financial Incentive Program provides up to $2,500 to journeypersons actively mentoring apprentices. The goal of the new program is to increase the number of apprentices becoming certified journeypersons. For more information Click Here
New Bursary for Skilled Trades Students at NSCC
April 9, 2024 – Students with financial need can apply for the $5,000 Growing Nova Scotia’s Skilled Trades Workforce Bursary to help pay for tuition and living costs while training in high-demand construction trades programs at NSCC campuses across Nova Scotia. For more information Click Here
Nova Scotia is Attracting Newcomers in Sectors with the Most Need
February 16, 2024 – Nova Scotia is attracting newcomers in sectors with the most need, including healthcare and the skilled trades, and investing to help them settle and stay. For more information Click Here
More Training, Support for Skilled Trades Professionals
February 14, 2024 – The Province is making it easier for people to become certified in the skilled trades sector with two new initiatives to fund more training seats in high-demand trades. For more information Click Here
Infrastructure
Our Initiative: Investing in modern public infrastructure supports local businesses, drives economic growth, and lays the foundation for long-term community development by reducing costs, improving access, and attracting investment.
Areas of Focus:
- Transportation infrastructure (e.g., roads, public transit)
- Housing infrastructure (e.g., sewers, water, wastewater)
- Community infrastructure (e.g., healthcare facilities, schools, digital connectivity)
Our Recent Advocacy Work on Infrastructure
Chamber Hosts Privy Council Office for Consultation on New Free Trade Act
August 13, 2025 – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce hosted Federal Officials from the Privy Council Office along with multiple regulatory and industry associations throughout Nova Scotia to discuss the new Free Trade and Labour Mobility Act in Canada. The meeting focused on the implementation of recently passed legislation aimed at improving interprovincial trade and labour mobility. The new bill promotes mutual recognition of goods and services standards across provinces, supports faster credential recognition and emphasizes collaboration over federal standard imposition. For more information Click Here
Chamber Hosts Mayor of HRM to discuss State of the Municipality
April 7, 2025 – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce hosts HRM Mayor Filmore for his inaugural State of the Municipality where he discussed the priorities for the Municipality and how affordability is impacting residents and businesses.
Chamber Advocates for Faster Completion of Major Municipal Infrastructure Projects
March 21, 2025 – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce submits its pre-budget submission with a recommendation to expedite infrastructure projects and reduce costs. The municipality must prioritize reducing red tape and completing infrastructure projects on time and within budget to minimize costs. Excessive bureaucracy and procedural delays often lead to increased expenses due to inflation. By cutting through red tape and by improving planning and coordination, the city can ensure that projects are finished efficiently. To learn more about this recommendation Click Here
Chamber’s Policy Team Meets with NS Liberal Caucus to Discuss Infrastructure
February 25, 2025 – The Chamber’s Policy met with the NS Liberal Caucus to discuss our recommendations in our Provincial Pre-Budget Submission, including our Labour recommendation around recruitment of under-represented groups in the skilled trades industries.
Chamber Advocates for More Provincial Support for HRM Transportation Projects
January 28, 2025 – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce submitted its Provincial Pre-Budget Submission with a recommendation to increase funding for transportation infrastructure projects, specifically increase the amount of funding for the Provincial Strategic Land Acquisition Fund to be able to fund projects recommended under the Joint Regional Transportation Agency’s Regional Connectivity Report. To learn more about this recommendation Click Here.
Chamber's Policy team meets with HRM Palnning & Development to Discuss Young District
Infrastructure News & Annoucements
Municipalities to Receive Grants for Infrastructure, Innovation, Development
9 July 2025 – The Province is supporting 23 projects in municipalities across the province with funding for infrastructure upgrades, development and innovation. The support more than doubles the amount of money available through a program for water, sewer and other priority infrastructure projects. For more information Click Here
Halifax Passes Plan to Prepare City for 1 Million People
18 June 2025 – Halifax’s council has passed a plan to prepare the city for a population of one million people, which is projected to be reached by 2050. This plan, which replaces the current regional plan from 2014, aims to guide the city’s growth and development. For more information Click Here
Halifax Transit Launches Electric Buses
20 May 2025 – Halifax Transit celebrated the launch of electric buses into service and completion of the Ragged Lake Transit Centre expansion. This marked the final steps in Phase 1 of the Zero Emission Bus Project. For more information Click Here
Province Removes Halifax Harbour Bridge Tolls
17 March 2025 – After 70 years, Nova Scotians no longer have to pay a bridge toll to cross between Dartmouth and Halifax. The province ended bridge tolls today, March 17, fulfilling a commitment to make crossings more affordable, simpler and smoother for Nova Scotians. For more information Click Here
Legislation Introduced to Help Complete Projects, Grow the Economy
20 February 2025 – The government is amending the Joint Regional Transportation Agency Act to broaden the agency’s scope, which will help advance efforts to ease congestion and provide transportation solutions for the entire province. For more information Click Here
Halifax Receives $80M for Housing
1 January 2025 – The Halifax Regional Municipality is facing significant housing availability challenges and has entered into a $79.3 million agreement with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to develop and implement a Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Action Plan by 2026. For more information Click Here