UPDATED: Provincial and Federal Support for Businesses Affected by COVID-19
May 6th, 2020 | Topics: Health and Education

Federal Funding Programs Flowcharts
May 5th, 2020 | Topics: Multi-Topic Publications

NSBLEC - Chronicle Herald Story
Apr 29th, 2020 | Topics: Health and Education

PRESS RELEASE: Halifax Chamber of Commerce and NSBLEC in the Chronicle Herald
Apr 28th, 2020 | Topics: Health and Education

Support for Canada’s airports facing severe financial impact of COVID-19
Apr 15th, 2020 | Topics: Transportation and Trade

Provincial and Federal Supports for Businesses Affected by COVID-19
Apr 8th, 2020

Government Support for Business (April 2 Update)
Apr 5th, 2020 | Topics: Multi-Topic Publications

Government Support for Businesses (March 31 Update)
Mar 31st, 2020 | Topics: Multi-Topic Publications

Press Release - Introducing the COVID-19 Business/Employee Team
Mar 17th, 2020 | Topics: Health and Education

2020-2021 Provincial Budget Response: A lIttle Something For Everyone
Feb 25th, 2020 | Topics: Budget Issues

2020-2021 Municipal Pre-Budget Submission
Feb 10th, 2020 | Topics: Budget Issues

Each year the Halifax Chamber of Commerce produces a Municipal Pre-Budget Submission that outlines our member's concerns and policy goals for the new budget. The submission highlights the top priorities of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce’s membership. Our recommendations are based on many conversations with our members over the past year and work on balancing the needs of the Halifax business community with that of the City. We have provided the Council with ten recommendations that focus on optimizing the size of government, creating a frictionless business environment and promoting the growth of Halifax as a major city.

Halifax Chamber of Commerce- Capped Assessment Program Comments
Feb 10th, 2020 | Topics: Taxation and Regulation

Patrick Sullivan, President & CEO of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce recently presented to the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipality's All-Party Committee on the Capped Assessment Program in Nova Scotia. Please let us know if you have any questions or comments on the CAP.

QEII New Generation Project
Jan 17th, 2020 | Topics: Health and Education

2020-2021 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission
Dec 11th, 2019 | Topics: Budget Issues

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2019 Provincial Issue Note- Response from Premier McNeil
Dec 2nd, 2019 | Topics: Multi-Topic Publications

The Chamber recently submitted our 2019 Provincial Issue Note to the Province wherein we asked relevant and timely questions that focused on the growth of our region and the business community. We are pleased that we have received a letter of response from Premier McNeil.


If you have any questions comments, please email our policy analyst, Kathleen MacEachern, at kathleen@halifaxchamber.com

The Federal Election is over – What’s Next?
Oct 25th, 2019

Your Chamber was actively engaged during the recent Federal election. As an apolitical organization, our focus was on strongly encouraging our members to exercise their right to vote and providing information to help them to do just that. As well, we monitored political platforms for areas that aligned with issues you have identified – Talent, a federal Tax Review, a predictable investment climate, and common-sense regulations. We need our governments to set the conditions for your success and then let you proceed. Now post-election, we will be looking for the best ways to continue to move your issues forward with the federal government. That will include working with our national partners such as the Canadian Global Cities Council and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce as well as meeting with our Halifax MPs to ensure your issues are top of mind. Once the new Federal Cabinet is sworn in, we will review Ministerial Mandate letters for alignment with our key issues and follow up from there. Stay tuned and don’t hesitate to reach with your issues or concerns. We are in your corner!

2019 Municipal Issue Note
Oct 24th, 2019 | Topics: Multi-Topic Publications

The Halifax Chamber of Commerce is a business-focused organization that represents over 1,700 members and over 65,000 employees in the Greater Halifax Area. In our 2019-2023 Strategic Plan we are striving to create value and prosperity for our members. We will provide services our businesses need, and we will continue to advocate for the conditions in the economy that enhance their prosperity.

Each year, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce submits a note to the Municipality, detailing the issues that affect our members, our concerns for the upcoming year and the current and past projects that are beneficial to the growth of the City. This year, the Halifax Chamber has chosen to ask the government various questions that reflect the issues that are important to our members. They range from the cost of labour to by-law reviews to accessible hiring. We provide additional background in the attachment, but the questions asked in the document are provided below:

• What has been the percentage increase in labour costs over the past ten years?
• What new sources (other than tax increases) are expected to generate the required revenue?
• Has the municipality asked the province to grant ability to pay legislation?
• What is the cost of services for commercial and residential taxpayers across the municipality?
• What does the municipality hear the most from the business community regarding the regulatory environment?
• How many of the 131 by-laws have currently been reviewed for effectiveness, efficiency, and usefulness?
• Will the HaliFACT document and its goals align with the Centre Plan?
• What reasons does the municipality hear why immigrants chose to stay or leave the city?
• What steps is the municipality taking to ensure a smooth transition (permits, approvals) for businesses to upgrade or redesign their built space to make it easier for accessible hiring?

2019 Provincial Issue Note
Oct 24th, 2019 | Topics: Multi-Topic Publications

Each year, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce submits a note to the Province, detailing the issues that affect our members, our concerns for the upcoming year and the current and past projects that are beneficial to the growth of the Province. This year, the Halifax Chamber has chosen to ask the government various questions that reflect the issues that are important to our members. They range from departmental spending to preventative health care to immigration. We provide additional background in the attachment, but the questions asked in the document are provided below:

• Does the provincial government allot departmental funding based on the amount that was used in the year prior?
• What are the specific cost saving projects in place by departments to reduce their budgets each year?
• Does the provincial government evaluate their salaries and benefits packages against the private sector?
• Will the province provide ability to pay legislation to municipalities?
• What types of preventative programs are supported by the Department of Health and Wellness currently?
• What initiatives is the department pursuing to bring new thinking to healthcare? For instance, the new Hospice provides beds for a significantly reduced cost versus hospitals. Will there be any provincial investment in capital for these facilities?
• What are the savings, whether in time or money, has the government achieved from these prorams and will budgets be reduced by these savings?
• What countries and/or regions is the Nova Scotia government currently exporting/importing to and what countries and/or regions are being actively investigated?
• What is the number one reason Immigrants do not choose to remain in Nova Scotia/Halifax?
• How often is the Department of Business in contact with Nova Scotian SMEs to discuss what skills and training will be needed in our workforce?

2019 Electoral Boundary Law Amendments- Patrick's Speaking Words
Oct 24th, 2019

Recently, Patrick spoke with Law Amendments on the changes to MLA's in Nova Scotia. The Halifax Chamber has been proactive in meeting with and speaking to the Electoral Boundary Commission and our members on the changes to Nova Scotia MLA's.

Press Release - Canada Needs a National Urban Strategy: Urban Chambers of Commerce (CGCC)
Sep 19th, 2019 | Topics: Strategic Plan