Policy Library

Browse through our Policy Library to learn how our work affects business in Nova Scotia.

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Halifax Chamber of Commerce- Capped Assessment Program Comments
| 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.

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QEII New Generation Project
| Topics: Health and Education

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2020-2021 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission
| Topics: Budget Issues

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2019 Provincial Issue Note- Response from Premier McNeil
| 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

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The Federal Election is over – What’s Next?

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 Electoral Boundary Law Amendments- Patrick's Speaking Words

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.

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2019 Provincial Issue Note
| 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?

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2019 Municipal Issue Note
| 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?

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

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Halifax Chamber Response: April 2019 Final Report Balancing effective representation with voter parity- Electoral Boundary Commission
| Topics: Multi-Topic Publications

For the full Commission report, head over to https://nselectoralboundaries.ca/resources

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2019-2020 Provincial Budget Response
| Topics: Budget Issues

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2019 Federal Budget Release Response
| Topics: Budget Issues

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2019-2020 Municipal Pre Budget Submission
| Topics: Budget Issues

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2019-2020 Provincial Pre Budget Submission: Premier Response
| Topics: Budget Issues

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Government of Nova Scotia: Burden Reduction Report
| Topics: Taxation and Regulation

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Halifax Chamber of Commerce 2019-2023 Strategic Plan
| Topics: Strategic Plan

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Electoral Boundaries Commission / Interim Report: Striking a balance between effective representation and voter parit
| Topics: Multi-Topic Publications

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Nova Scotia Electoral Bounday Commission's Interim Report: Letter of Response
| Topics: Budget Issues

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2019-2020 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission
| Topics: Multi-Topic Publications

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2019-2020 City budget - Chamber Concerns
| Topics: Taxation and Regulation

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