World Trade & Convention Centre 1800 Argyle Street, Suite 701 Halifax, , CANADA B3J 3N8 Tel: 902.424.6650 Fax: 902.424.5739 www.novascotiabusiness.com

A Guide to Nova Scotia’s Business Advantages and Conversation Starters WHY NS?

STRATEGIC LOCATION: CANADA’S GATEWAY TO THE WORLD BECOME A Global access makes it easy for you to operate internationally. GLOBAL Time zone advantage: Convenient harbour access: Nova Scotia is situated halfway Nova Scotia features an abundance between the United Kingdom of natural, year round, ice-free ADVISOR (UK) and California. Our Atlantic harbours with depths ranging from Time Zone links us to international 65 feet draft on markets in the United States (US) to 200 feet draft on the Strait of Canso, giving it the deepest cargo and on the same workday – Your support can have a profound influence a strategic business advantage. berths on Canada’s east coast. on the Nova Scotia of the future – today. Reduced travel time: Halifax, Shorter customs wait times: Nova Scotia, is two hours closer Nova Scotia is home to the only geographically by air to Europe US preclearance facility in Atlantic than any other North American Canada, and offers 24/7 Canada destination, and closer to New Customs services – plus NEXUS www.connectns.ca/globaladvisors York and Boston than it is to any and CANPASS programs for other major Canadian city. By ship, frequent travelers. businesses using our take advantage of being only a day’s sail to New York, which means Nova Scotia is an entire days sail closer to major markets in northern Europe than any other North American .

1 WHY NS?

THE NOVA SCOTIA GATEWAY INCLUDES:

• The world-class Halifax Stanfield International Airport Reliable transportation infrastructure: Our transportation • The International Port of Halifax system is an efficient and reliable (including two super post- combination of air, road, rail, and Panamax container terminals) sea infrastructure, to meet supply chain management and logistics • Canadian National Railway needs. This allows businesses (CN Rail) to move people and products in and out of North America faster • A strong logistics and than any other gateway on the warehousing sector east coast. • An excellent Class 1 Highway infrastructure (Trans-Canada Highway)

• A comprehensive air route network serving virtually any location around the globe in one stop – and easy transport of perishable and non-perishable products worldwide

2 WHY NS?

EDUCATED WORKFORCE

Our skilled, accessible, and well-educated workforce is one of Nova Scotia’s greatest assets.

Canada’s education capital: Workforce training: Nova Scotia With 10 universities and 13 Business Inc. (NSBI) works closely community college campuses, with industry, academic and Nova Scotia boasts more university government partners, to provide students and graduates per capita education programs designed to each year than anywhere else in meet specific industry needs. Canada. In fact, more than two thirds of Halifax’s working age Research and innovation: population has a trade, college, • is one or university designation. of Canada’s leading research universities with over 50 Canada Talented graduates: Each year, Research Chairs. thousands of students graduate Nova Scotia has the highest from our nationally-acclaimed • concentration of PhDs in marine business and computer science science in the world and is programs, joining the loyal, home to the Bedford Institute talented workforce that makes of Oceanography. Nova Scotia such a great place to do business. • Over 1,000 public and many private sector scientists are Top ranked universities: Nova undertaking exciting R&D in Scotia’s universities have been industries like renewable energy, awarded top honours by Maclean’s aerospace and defence, life Magazine Guide to Canadian sciences, and environmental Universities – ranking three of studies. our universities in the top 10 for undergraduate universities in Canada.

3 WHY NS?

EDUCATED WORKFORCE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES

Whether starting, relocating, or expanding a business, Nova Scotia has incentives to help businesses go farther.

Workforce incentives: • Payroll Rebate: This is a • Graduate to Opportunity (GTO): performance-based, financial The GTO is a two-year program that incentive offered to qualified provides salary contributions to companies expanding or employers to offset the cost of hiring locating in Nova Scotia. The a recent graduate. As an eligible Payroll Rebate offers a return employer, you could receive 25% of on a company’s eligible gross the graduate’s annual salary in year payroll, helping to save on one, and 12.5% of the graduate’s eligible payroll expenses. annual salary in year two. • Workplace Innovation and • Strategic Co-op Education Productivity Skills Incentive Incentive: This incentive provides (WIPSI): This program provides wage assistance to private sector, eligible employers with a government-funded, and non-profit funding incentive to invest organizations offering career-related in employee skills through work experiences for university and workforce training. community college co-operative students.

4 WHY NS?

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES

Research & innovation incentives:

• Scientific Research and • Atlantic Innovation Fund: Experimental Development This program aims to increase (SR&ED) Program: Atlantic Canada’s innovation This program provides tax capacity by funding R&D projects incentives to encourage research linked to the commercialization and development in Canada. of technology-based products, Administered by the Canada processes or services. Revenue Agency (CRA), it is the largest single source of federal government support for industrial research and development. • Nova Scotia Research and Development Tax Credit: This incentive mirrors the federal program, and provides an additional 15% tax credit to Nova Scotia corporations that incur qualified SR&ED expenditures made in Nova Scotia, as defined by the federal Income Tax Act.

5 WHY NS?

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES COMPETITIVE BUSINESS COSTS Nova Scotia is a cost-effective location for business.

Canada is cost-effective: Canada Inexpensive office space: leads the G-7 with the lowest According to CB Richard Ellis overall tax rate on new business (CBRE), the average rental investment, and in terms of cost rate for class-A office space competitiveness, Canada offers a in is well 14.6% advantage over the US. below that of other major cities across North America, at just Competitive labour costs: $19.47/sq. ft. Salaries in Nova Scotia tend to be lower than in other provinces Top 10: According to the 2016 and US states – a real competitive KPMG Competitive Alternatives advantage for companies located Report, Halifax ranks in the top 10 here. of North American cities for lowest overall business operating costs.

6 WHY NS?

QUALITY OF LIFE Where people want to live and work.

Best overall living conditions: Canada’s ocean city: According to the Canadian Trade The commercial heart of Halifax Commissioner, the Organization is on the water and there is no for Economic Co-operation & shortage of beautiful beaches, Development (OECD) Better Life scenic coastal villages like Peggy’s Index shows Canada as the best Cove, and water sports like sailing, in the G-7 in terms of overall living deep-sea fishing and some of the conditions and quality of life. best winter surfing in the world.

Beautiful natural environment: Cost of living: Nova Scotia’s mix of urban rural • Affordable living: The average landscapes and communities result home price in Halifax is $307,239, in a city that balances work and well below the national average play with city and nature. of $474,590. • Short commutes: Our average commuting distance is just 6.5 km – almost 2 kilometres shorter than other provincial averages.

7 OCEANS QUALITY OF LIFE

Oceans industry is big Leading technologies: business for Nova Scotia: Within the industry, there’s a strong • One-in-five jobs in Nova Scotia technological sector with a broad are connected to the ocean. and diverse range of products and Over 300 companies are doing services. Many of these companies oceans-sector business in Nova are pioneers in: Scotia, including more than 60 • Underwater acoustics, innovators of new, high-tech sensing and imaging products and services. • Marine communication • The oceans industry in Nova and navigation Scotia is diverse, providing • Enhanced engineering goods and services including and environmental services oceans technology, fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, Growth technologies: shipbuilding, offshore oil Converging of multiple and gas, ocean observation, technologies are driving innovative transportation, marine-centric oceans companies to new depths defence and security, life including: sciences and energy. • Wireless networks and sensors • Robotics and autonomous vehicles • Informatics and artificial intelligence

8 OCEANS

Knowledge clusters: Fast facts • Nova Scotia has one of the highest concentrations of • The ocean-technology industry oceans-related PhDs in accounts for about one-third of the world. total research and development • Bedford Institute of among Nova Scotia businesses. Oceanography is Canada’s • The Government of Nova Scotia has largest centre for oceans, purchased the site of the former with 700 scientists, engineers, Coast Guard base in Dartmouth and technicians. to develop the Centre for Ocean • Dalhousie University has Ventures & Entrepreneurship Canada’s first and only (COVE). multidisciplinary bachelor’s • Oceans accounts for 15% of degree program – ocean provincial GDP. sciences – as well as a marine • Dalhousie University has 25% of biology major at the bachelor’s all federal Natural Sciences and level. It also offers master’s Engineering Research Council of and doctoral programs in Canada (NSERC) oceans research oceanography, marine biology, grants. marine management, and marine law. • Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) offers an advanced diploma in ocean technology.

9 OCEANS

Fast facts

• The $25-billion naval defence • The Institute for Ocean Research contract with Irving Shipbuilding Enterprise is a coordinating body is this province’s most significant between industry, government, new economic opportunity, research facilities, and post- bringing over 25 years of activity secondary institutions. to the . • The revenue of the oceans sector in Nova Scotia doubled from $500 million in 2009 to $1 billion in 2011, according to a report published by the province of Nova Scotia.

You’ll be in good company:

Acadian Seaplants Ltd. MetOcean Data Systems Ltd. Ascenta Health Nature’s Way Canada CartNav Solutions Nautel Limited Dingbot Ltd. Ocean Sonics DSM Pro-Oceanus Systems Inc. Geospectrum Technologies Inc. Sea-Bird Scientific Hawboldt Industries Ltd. Turbulent Research Irving Shipbuilding Inc. UltraElectronics Marine Systems JouBeh Technologies Inc. Vemco Ltd. MAN Diesel & Turbo Canada Ltd. Xeos MacArtney Canada Ltd. 4Deep

10 ICT ICT

Nova Scotia is a leading data A strong workforce: analytics hub in Canada, Nova Scotia’s Information Communications Technology (ICT) supported by both globally industry is focused on producing competitive companies and innovative products and services in: world-renowned academic • Interactive media institutions. • IT services • Transatlantic telecommunications • Enterprise solutions • E-health applications • Data analytics • Niche-oriented software products and solutions

11 ICT ICT

Specialty degrees: Nova Scotia Vibrant eco-system: offers degrees that relate directly Nova Scotia has the right mix to industry needs, including: of post-secondary education, graphics, gaming and media, established multinational firms, artificial intelligence and intelligent and an active startup community, systems, communications which results in a well-connected, technologies, SAP software global, cluster. expertise and cyber security. • The Nova Scotia ICT industry • Acadia University boasts the is 1000 establishments strong, Acadia Institute for Data Analytics. accounting for 8.2% of Nova • Dalhousie University’s Institute for Scotia’s business sector output. Big Data Analytics was the first of • The ICT sector accounts for more its kind in Canada. than 35% of all private sector R&D • Saint Mary’s University was one spending in Nova Scotia. of the first universities in Canada • IBM chose Nova Scotia for to offer an applied Master of their first Canadian Customer Science degree in Computing & Innovation Centre. Data Analytics. • Ernst & Young launched their • Nova Scotia currently has 52 Canadian Centre for Advanced Canada Research Chairs. This Analytics in Nova Scotia. includes one Tier 1 Chair and two Tier 2 Chairs related to ICT. • The Collaboration for Analytics Research Education & Technology (CARET) is a unique partnership between seven post- secondary institutions and the private sector in Nova Scotia.

12 ICT

Infrastructure: In addition to • One of the highest digital media world-class tech-talent, Nova tax credits offered in Canada Scotia also has some of the best (offering up to 48%). ICT infrastructure . • Collaborative environment • Nova Scotia offers a world- that brings together industry, class fibre optic network with government, and education. gigabit connections available • Some of the world’s best internet across the province, a digital connections to both Europe communications system, and and the eastern US, thanks to a self-generating power grid. Hibernia Atlantic’s network of • Lowest operating costs for subsea cables. companies working in the digital services industry in North America.

You’ll be in good company:

Bell Canada Eastlink Oracle Canada CGI Hibernia Atlantic Salesforce Dell IBM Xerox Ernst & Young (Centre NTT Data Ubisoft for Advanced Analytics)

13 SEAFOOD

Nova Scotia fish harvesters Always fresh: It’s easy to export and processors offer the large quantities of fresh products with ports that are ice-free all highest quality fish and year round, and convenient road, shellfish, pulled responsibly rail, and air connections. Daily air service operates to Asia, Europe, and sustainably from the icy and North America. waters of the North Atlantic. Reliable & efficient: The province’s seafood industry also benefits from Canada’s #1 seafood exporter: reliable, efficient supply chains that In 2015, Nova Scotia exported support everything from harvest to $1.68 billion in seafood to over processing to distribution. 75 countries. Highest standards: Nova Scotia’s sustainable fishing industry is driven by a commitment to quality at every step along the value chain. Our partners include governments, industry associations, harvesters, processors, and supply chain service providers. Together, we work hard to deliver the highest quality fish and shellfish.

14 SEAFOOD

Home to a wide range of species: Our world famous brands: Nova Scotia’s seafood industry includes 178 processing companies Acadian Seaplants Ltd. that provide year-round access to over 50 species of premium quality Cedar Bay Grilling Company fish and seafood, including: Cheticamp Fisheries • Canadian Lobster Clearwater Seafoods • Snow Crab Eel Lake Oyster Farm • Sea Scallop Fisher King Seafoods • Oysters Gidney Fisheries Limited • Coldwater Shrimp Highliner Seafoods • Tuna Louisbourg Seafoods • Swordfish Ocean Leader Fisheries Ltd. • Haddock Ocean Pride Fisheries • Atlantic Halibut St. Mary’s River Smokehouses • Herring Sea Star Seafoods • Silver Hake Sober Island Oysters • Atlantic Sea Cucumber United Trans Ltd. (Rosalyn) Victoria Co-operative Fisheries Ltd.

15 AGRI-FOOD

Nova Scotia has nearly 2,600 Beverage: farms, and approximately • Nova Scotia’s flourishing beverage industry exports wines, 10,000 jobs are linked to spirits, beers (including craft agriculture and the agri- beers and ales), juices, ciders, food and beverage industry. and bottled water. Our modern transportation • Our internationally recognized wineries are producing award- infrastructure delivers winning sparkling, white, red, our products quickly and rosé, fruit, and ice wines. efficiently to customers all Climate advantage: over the world. • Almost completely surrounded by water, Nova Scotia enjoys a Food: moderate climate and a growing • Nova Scotia produces one of season that can stretch well into Canada’s most popular exports November. – maple syrup, and also harvests • The climate of Nova Scotia’s strawberries, cranberries, field wine region in the Annapolis vegetables and apples. Valley “bears an uncanny affinity with the Champagne • The province is home to the world’s largest supplier of frozen Region in France,” according wild blueberries, North America’s to one local winemaker whose largest processor of frozen traditional-method sparkling carrot products, and the largest wines are garnering international supplier of OMEGA-3 EPA/DHA accolades. to the global food and beverage industry.

16 AGRI-FOOD

Research and Investment: Industry support: • University, private research and Nova Scotia’s agri-business has teaching facilities strong support from industry • Agri-food incubation centres organizations and government regulators in the production and • Business acceleration centres marketing of food and beverages. • Entrepreneurs producing world- leading products

Quality: Our world famous brands: In Nova Scotia, the daily delivery of fresh and frozen products is Cape Breton Fudge Co. made easy, thanks to excellent Classic Fine Foods cold chain logistics, with fresh Benjamin Bridge and frozen controlled-atmosphere Grand Pre Wines Ltd. storage, bulk shipping, and JusNova Agriculture Inc. convenient international access Made with Local via air, water, rail and road. Nova Agri Inc. Oxford Frozen Foods Randsland Farms Scotian Gold Cooperative Terra Beata Van Dyk’s Blueberry Juice

17 NATURAL RESOURCES

Nova Scotia provides access to the largest tides in the world, a wealth of minerals and resources, and researchers that are attracting global attention.

CLEAN TECHNOLOGY Tidal energy: Wind energy: The Bay of Fundy pushes over With some of the highest average 100 billion tonnes of water every wind speeds in Canada, ranging tide – more than all the freshwater up to speeds of + 9.51m/s, a wind rivers and streams in the world turbine placed in Nova Scotia can combined. Canada’s leading produce large amounts of cost- research centre for in-stream tidal effective power. energy is located in Nova Scotia – the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy. Solar energy: A great location to use solar energy, Solar Nova Scotia has indicated the growth rate in solar PV installed capacity in Nova Scotia has averaged 80% per year for the past five years.

18 NATURAL RESOURCES

Energy storage research: MINING • Backed by heavyweight Experience: Nova Scotia has over investors such as Bill Gates and 300 years of in-depth experience in Peter Pheil, LightSail Energy’s the mining sector and employs close game-changing technology to 5,000 highly-skilled people in this could be the answer to reducing industry. the world’s dependence on carbon fossil fuels. Process: Nova Scotia has a streamlined environmental • Tesla Motors, along with assessment process and proven Dalhousie University’s Canada success with aboriginal consultation. Research Chair, Dr. Jeff Dahn, have an exclusive partnership Accessibility: The province provides a developing lithium-ion (Li-ion) Department of Natural Resources with batteries. This is the first accessible, free geoscience expertise, partnership of its kind between regulatory coordination, and a state- Tesla and a Canadian university. of-the-art, map-based Internet mineral rights registry.

Incentives: Nova Scotia offers attractive payroll generating incentives, and the Nova Scotia Mineral Incentive Program (NSMIP). Collaboration: Nova Scotia fosters an environment that is dedicated to success and facilitating long-term partnerships between industry, academia and government.

19 NATURAL RESOURCES

ENERGY HEAVY INDUSTRIAL There are currently $2 billion MANUFACTURING in committed offshore oil and Nova Scotia’s manufacturing gas projects in Nova Scotia infrastructure connectivity with internationally recognized and logistics facilities make investors, such as Shell and BP. it the ideal choice to service Europe and North America. FOREST PRODUCTS This is just one of the reasons Nova Scotia is rich in forests. industrial manufacturing It has a long history of sustainable products like tires, forest forest management balancing and other industrial products the economic, environmental, (such as plastics and metal and social benefits of our natural fabrication) are leading resources. Our forest sector is a exports, behind seafood, in major employer producing, pulp, Nova Scotia. paper, lumber, wood products, and energy biomass. This allows for opportunities to build on our competitiveness by employing our highly skilled workforce to produce products for world markets.

You’ll be in good company:

Green Power Labs LED Roadway Surrette Battery Company CarbonCure Lighting Ltd. Thermo Dynamics Ltd. Technologies Nu-Air Ventilation Shell Canada Endurance Wind Power Seaforth Energy Michelin Tires Canada Fundy Tidal Inc. Solartron Energy Systems Inc. 20 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE

Nova Scotia attracts globally Research & development: recognized companies • Defence R&D Canada (DRDC): DRDC offers world-leading working in naval defence, expertise in a range of areas shipbuilding, sonar and including: sensing, in-service support, »» sonar and sensing »» anti-submarine cyber security and training »» mine and torpedo defence and simulation. »» modelling and simulation of ship and combat systems Expertise: • Bedford Institute of • Nova Scotia has the highest Oceanography is Canada’s concentration of defence largest centre for oceans, with spending in Canada. 700 scientists, engineers, and technicians. • Nova Scotia is home to the East Coast Navy and the largest air • Dalhousie University: Boeing is force base in eastern Canada. one of the major investors in R&D at Dalhousie University to support • Over 30% of Canada’s top projects in the fields of advanced defence companies are in materials development, mobile Nova Scotia. graphics, and text analytics. • Canada’s next generation of combat vessels are being built in Nova Scotia - thanks to a contract valued at $25 billion over the next 30 years.

21 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE

Nova Scotia’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul. High Performing Clusters: Three of the four largest Canadian ISS procurement contracts are being Shipbuilding: Nova Scotia’s completed in Nova Scotia. marine industry, rooted in 17th century shipbuilding, now leads Cyber security: Nova Scotia’s in fields such as: vibrant IT sector has a talented • Acoustic hull design labour force supported by • System electronics respected academic institutions. • Sonar technologies • University programs like the • Computer-aided manufacturing computer science degree specializing in cyber security Sonar & sensing: Nova Scotia offered by Dalhousie University. specializes in the area of acoustics, Training & simulation: Nova Scotia sensors, and instrumentation. This hosts world-leading training and sub-sector develops and deploys simulation companies, and is well- surveillance equipment that collects equipped to support integrated and processes data for a variety of training solutions including: marine-related applications. • Training needs analysis In-service support: Nova • Instructional design Scotia is an established hub for • Content development In-Service Support (ISS), including • Integrated learning environments • Training simulation products You’ll be in good company:

Bluedrop IMP Group MTI Bronswerk Irving Shipbuilding Inc. Nautel CarteNav L-3 Communications Pratt & Whitney Cherubini Lockheed Martin Stelia (Composites Atlantic) General Dynamics MDA Ultra Electronics Wartsila 22 DIGITAL MEDIA

Interactive digital media Specialty degrees: Nova Scotia has the highest number of ICT has exploded out of Nova related graduates in Canada from Scotia’s creative community industry recognized degrees in recent years. related to digital media. • Nova Scotia College of Art and Diverse field: Design (NSCAD): NSCAD is one • Console video games of Canada’s oldest independent (Xbox One, and PS4) cultural institutions, and remains • Mobile games (iOS & Android) a principal national centre of • VR & AR interactive experiences excellence dedicated to the • VR Cinematography visual arts. • Military simulations • Dalhousie University: With a • Animated movies and TV shows specialized degree in graphics, Partnerships & associations: gaming, and media, Dalhousie Nova Scotia’s video game industry University introduces students currently employs approximately to the critical study of video 400 people in more than 20 games and gaming culture, with a particular emphasis on how studios, and the Nova Scotia video games combine interactive Game Developers Association plays a major part in its growth. gameplay, world making, and Not only do they advocate for video storytelling. game development and foster • Acadia University: Acadia collaboration within the industry, University offers a BSc with they also hire graduates from local a specialization in game universities and colleges, and development applying the work to promote high standards of latest techniques in artificial relevant education. intelligence, computer graphics, human computer interaction, and other important areas of computer science. 23 DIGITAL MEDIA

• Nova Scotia Community College • Digital Media Tax Credit: (NSCC): NSCC designed a Qualifying companies can Diploma in Game Development claim the lesser of 50% of the to blend the creative disciplines qualifying expenditures or 25% of graphic design, video, of total expenditures. Qualifying photography, animation, type, expenditures could include: and sound with technical and »» 100% of eligible salaries in problem-solving skills required Nova Scotia for game development. »» 65% of third party labour • daVinci College: daVinci’s remuneration animation program immerses »» up to $100,000 in marketing students in a real production and distribution expenditures studio setting, to experience • Digital Animation Tax Credit a hands-on education and (DATC): The DATC is a refundable instruction by industry tax credit for costs directly related professionals in 3D animation to the development of digital and visual effects. animation in Nova Scotia. This tax Cost-competitive: According credit provides an incentive of up to KPMG’s Competitive Analysis to 60% on labour associated with (2016), Halifax, Nova Scotia ranks in the project, and a labour bonus the top 10 cities worldwide, among of 17.5% on animation-specific recognized video game clusters, for activities. The labour bonus is having the lowest operating costs. in addition to the base credit available.

You’ll be in good company:

Alpha Dog Games HotHead Games Punk Science Studios Current Studios Humminah Humminah REDSpace DHX Media Ltd. Interactive River Studios Hard Chill Games Orpheus Interactive Ubisoft HB Studios Xona Games 24 FILM & TELEVISION PRODUCTION

Nova Scotia is Atlantic Location & talent: Canada’s centre for film and • Direct flights to Europe and select US cities make Nova Scotia a television production. Whether location of choice. your film or television project • Nova Scotia offers stunning requires urban sophistication, locations that include picturesque small town ambiance, or fishing villages, majestic highlands, modern cities, small miles of unspoiled coastline, towns, farmlands and more. Nova Scotia has it all. Nova • Nova Scotia has the talent, Scotia has been an in-demand crews, resources and support, location for regional to facilitate a wide range of film and television productions. and international filmmakers for decades. Funding Programs: In addition to breath-taking landscapes, Nova Scotia offers several funding programs that make Nova Scotia a competitive location for local and international filmmakers.

25 FILM & TELEVISION PRODUCTION

• Nova Scotia Film & Television • Digital Media Tax Credit: Production Incentive Fund: See Digital Media sector on page The Nova Scotia Film & Television 24 for details. Production Incentive Fund

provides funding for screen- • Digital Animation Tax Credit See Digital Media sector based content creation. To be (DATC): on page 24 for details. eligible, organizations must have a permanent establishment in the province and be engaged primarily in the creation of film/ video productions for public viewing. • Eastlink TV Independent Production Fund Program: The Nova Scotia Independent Production Fund, through The Eastlink TV Independent Production Fund Program, is designed to finance Nova Scotian animated and/or live-action television productions. Eligible productions could receive an equity investment of up to $300,000 to a maximum of 20% of the project’s total budget.

26 FILM & TELEVISION PRODUCTION

FEDERAL FUNDING PROGRAMS: • Canadian Film or Video • Film or Video Production Production Tax Credit Services Tax Credit (PSTC): (CPTC): The CPTC encourages The PSTC enhances Canada as Canadian programming and a location of choice for film and the development of an active video productions that employ domestic production sector. Canadians. It is available at a rate This fully refundable tax credit is of 16% for qualified Canadian available at a rate of 25% of the labour expenditures on an qualified labour expenditures for accredited production. an eligible production.

You’ll be in good company:

With over a century of history in filmmaking, the province has been home to a wide variety of productions, including popular TV shows, documentaries and feature films like:

Haven Outlander This Hour Has 22 Hobo With a Shotgun Bag of Bones Minutes Jesse Stone The Book of Negroes The Lizzie Borden K 19 The Widow Maker The Mist Chronicles Margaret’s Museum The Shipping News Mr. D Titanic Trailer Park Boys

27 FINANCIAL SERVICES

The financial capital of Atlantic Continued growth: According to KPMG, Halifax, Nova Scotia is Canada, Nova Scotia is a considered the fastest growing premiere global destination for hedge fund administration centre shared services, middle/back in Canada. office operations in banking, Reliable infrastructure: Nova fund administration, insurance, Scotia is a landing station for Hibernia Atlantic’s Global Financial and reinsurance. Network. This trans-Atlantic network is specifically designed Competitive business cost: to meet two major demands of Nova Scotia offers some of the the global financial industry – lowest costs for salary wages and increased bandwidth capacity and both statutory and fringe benefits– security. and has the lowest average costs for facility and infrastructure leases. Large diverse workforce: According to a recent study by Nova Scotia offers an established KPMG. Halifax offers the 4th lowest and talented workforce in finance, Corporate Services operating costs insurance, and technology sectors: of 94 North American cities. • Close to 20,000 people employed This Hour Has 22 in financial services sector. Minutes History of growth: Two of Canada’s largest banks were founded in • More than 20,000 people The Lizzie Borden Halifax dating back to the early employed in the information and Chronicles 1800s: Bank of Nova Scotia and communications technology sector. Royal Bank of Canada. Now, Nova • 13,000 additional people working Scotia offers an established and in contact centres. talented workforce in finance, insurance, and technology sectors. KPMG identified Halifax, Nova Scotia, as the fastest growing hedge fund administration centre in Canada. 28 FINANCIAL SERVICES

Educated Workforce: Nova • Nova Scotia Community College Scotia’s universities and colleges (NSCC): NSCC offers an Investment continue to partner with our global Management concentration, as a financial services firms to ensure second year option of the Business program curriculum delivers on the Administration Diploma Program. needs of their industry. Students acquire competency in the essentials of: risk management, • Dalhousie University: The Master of Business personal financial planning, Administration (MBA) Financial portfolio development and security Services Program at Dalhousie analysis, securities products, University was designed compliance, settlement and to enhance the skills and distribution, general insurance business leadership qualities contracts, business ethics, of Canada’s finest financial contractual and civil law. services professionals, improving • Saint Mary’s University: performance and increasing Saint Mary’s University worked career opportunities. This with local financial services industry program is the result of a associations and companies to partnership between Dalhousie develop a Certificate in Financial University and the financial Instrument Analysis. The certificate services community, including the can be completed in conjunction Institute for Canadian Bankers with a Bachelor of Commerce Canadian Securities Institute degree or as a standalone and Life Office Management certification for those seeking Association. professional development.

You’ll be in good company:

Admiral Insurance Citco Fund Services TD Meloche Monnex BF&M Insurance Conifer Fund Services Mitsubishi UFJ Fund Butterfield Bank Maitland Group Services Castle Hall Alternatives Manulife Financial Marsh Captive 29 Royal Bank of Canada Solutions

WHY NS?

STRATEGIC LOCATION: CANADA’S GATEWAY TO THE WORLD BECOME A Global access makes it easy for you to operate internationally. GLOBAL Time zone advantage: Convenient harbour access: Nova Scotia is situated halfway Nova Scotia features an abundance between the United Kingdom of natural, year round, ice-free ADVISOR (UK) and California. Our Atlantic harbours with depths ranging from Time Zone links us to international 65 feet draft on Halifax Harbour markets in the United States (US) to 200 feet draft on the Strait of Canso, giving it the deepest cargo and Europe on the same workday – Your support can have a profound influence a strategic business advantage. berths on Canada’s east coast. on the Nova Scotia of the future – today. Reduced travel time: Halifax, Shorter customs wait times: Nova Scotia, is two hours closer Nova Scotia is home to the only geographically by air to Europe US preclearance facility in Atlantic than any other North American Canada, and offers 24/7 Canada destination, and closer to New Customs services – plus NEXUS www.connectns.ca/globaladvisors York and Boston than it is to any and CANPASS programs for other major Canadian city. By ship, frequent travelers. businesses using our ports take advantage of being only a day’s sail to New York, which means Nova Scotia is an entire days sail closer to major markets in northern Europe than any other North American port.

1 World Trade & Convention Centre 1800 Argyle Street, Suite 701 Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA B3J 3N8 Tel: 902.424.6650 Fax: 902.424.5739 www.novascotiabusiness.com

A Guide to Nova Scotia’s Business Advantages and Conversation Starters