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Immigrating to Nova Scotia Info-GuideLast Verified:
2005-09-30
If you have come to Canada as a Business Class Immigrant or as another type of immigrant, you may be looking to start your own business in Nova Scotia. Starting or buying a business in a new country can be intimidating, but the Canada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre (C/NSBSC) can make the process easier. The C/NSBSC is your first point of access to information on federal and provincial government programs, services, and regulations. You may reach us through our toll-free number or visit our Business Resource Library with your questions. Our office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. We also provide a 24-hour business information service seven days a week through our web site. Here's how to reach us: Note: You will notice that throughout this publication, there are some references made to other relevant documents ("see the document...") if you are using the web, simply click on the links provided. If you are reading this publication from a print copy and would like to obtain those additional documents, please call the Canada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre at 1-800-668-1010. TABLE OF CONTENTS1. Starting a Business in Nova Scotia 1. STARTING A BUSINESS IN
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If you want to start a business…
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If you own a business...
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If your company is interested in immigration...
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Individual Information and Referral:
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Individual Information and Referral:
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Individual Information and Referral:
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Workshops: Exploring Business Ideas Workshop
Business Orientation Seminars
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Evening Workshops:
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Presentations:
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Networking:
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Networking:
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Networking:
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For further information, please contact:
Metropolitan
Chebucto Place
Phone:
Web site: http://www.misa.ns.ca
See the document: Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association
Halifax Immigrant Learning Centre (HILC)
This is a community based organization that is committed to supporting the language learning goals of newcomers to
HILC provides the following free language training for adult landed immigrants who want to start a business or already own a business.
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Program |
Description |
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English for work and business |
Focus is on business/workplace language skills and Canadian workplace culture. Offered in day and evening classes. |
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Sector specific language training |
Language training programs focusing on the communication skills needed within specific professions/employment sectors. Availability of programs is determined according to need. |
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Language learning strategies |
Focuses on the language learning process and helps clients develop personal strategies to sustain their language learning development. |
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English in the workplace |
Language training program customized to the needs of the learner and the specific work environment and delivered on site at the workplace. |
For further information, please contact:
Chebucto Place
7105 Chebucto Road, Suite 201
Phone:
Web site: http://www.hilc.ns.ca
3. OTHER SOURCES OF BUSINESS INFORMATION
Community Business Resource Network
There are 11 Community Business Resource Network locations throughout the province:
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The Network offers a range of popular publications and free Internet access for business-related research. The on-site personnel can assist you in the preparation of your business or marketing plan and direct you to market research resources.
For a more complete list by county, call the Canada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre at
Access Nova Scotia
Access
Call
4.SOURCES OF FINANCING
There are a variety of financing programs available to businesses, as well as specialized financial assistance for arts and culture, farming, wage subsidies, tax credits, environmental purpose organizations, research and development, aquaculture and young entrepreneurs.
See the Financing Info-Guide, Arts and Culture Info-Guide, Employment and Training Info-Guide and Young Entrepreneurs Info-Guide for more information on sources of financing and other support programs and services.
Establishing a Personal Credit History
Establishing a credit history in
You should also open checking and savings bank accounts. This will improve your credibility with lenders. Pay bills at least two days before the due date.
To obtain a copy of your credit report, contact a credit reporting agency. Call us at 1-800-668-1010 for a list of credit reporting agencies.
5.PROFESSIONAL/CONSULTANCY SERVICES
Professional/Trade Associations
Need help finding an association? Call the Canada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre at
Translation Services - Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association (MISA)
MISA provides interpretation and translation services in the Metro Halifax area. Interpretation and Translation services are available through MISA in 24 different languages. A fee is charged for translation services.
For further information, please contact:
Metropolitan
Chebucto Place
Phone:
Web site: http://www.misa.ns.ca/Translation/index.htm
Business Development Bank of Canada
Provides assistance with market research, business plans, marketing plans, financial plans, strategic plans, human resource plans and diagnostic reviews. Fee-for-service is typically offered to "existing clients". Fees are not usually feasible for start-up businesses.
For further information, please contact:
Business Development Bank of Canada
Cogwell Tower - Scotia Square
2000
Phone:
Toll-free:
Web site: http://www.bdc.ca
Centre for Entrepreneurship Education & Development Incorporated (CEED)
CEED is an innovation centre that assists governments, organizations and communities in helping people achieve their potential through entrepreneurship. CEED's services address entrepreneurship development from "A to Z" and include:
- technical assistance;
- entrepreneurship consulting;
- entrepreneurship courses, training and certification for educators, economic developers, business counsellors and entrepreneurs (aspiring and existing);
- curriculum development for all levels of education;
- customized program development;
- asset mapping;
- microfinance systems/structures; and
- a variety of resource publications.
For further information, please contact:
Centre for Entrepreneurship Education & Development Incorporated
Halifax Shopping Centre
7001 Mumford Road
Suite 107, Tower 1
P.O. Box 196
Phone: (902) 421-CEED (2333)
Toll-free:
Fax:
E-mail: info@ceed.ca
Web site: http://www.ceed.info
Centre for Women in Business
A not-for-profit resource centre for women entrepreneurs that provide information, support and consulting services, located at
For further information, please contact:
Centre for Women in Business
Mount Saint Vincent University
The Meadows, 2nd Floor
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
Phone:
Fax: (902)
E-mail: cwb@msvu.ca
Web site: http://www.msvu.ca/cwb/
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)
CBDC’s assist in the creation of small businesses and in the expansion, modernization and stabilization of existing businesses in the rural areas of Atlantic Canada. They offer both technical and financial services for entrepreneurs in their respective regions.
For further information, please contact:
Community Business Development Corporations
Phone:
Web site: http://www.cbdc.ca
Entrepreneurs' Forum
Provides a series of comprehensive, informative and interactive seminars dealing with access to capital and financing information for businesses in all stages of development.
For further information, please contact:
Entrepreneurs' Forum
Phone:
Fax:
E-mail: info@entrepreneursforum.com
Web site: http://www.entrepreneursforum.com
Open for Business
Open for Business (OFB) helps young entrepreneurs discover, develop and fine-tune their business skills, or take that great idea and turn it into a successful entrepreneurial adventure. No appointment is required to access one-on-one entrepreneurial support. OFB also provides access to the world of creating and operating a business by providing support in the following areas:
- Access one-on-one entrepreneurial advice;
- Network with young entrepreneurs;
- Workshops and seminars;
- Discovering the wealth of resources in your community;
- Surfing the net for business ideas and opportunities;
- Exploring small business software on their computers;
- Providing free space for meetings, interviews and more.
There are three locations throughout the province of Nova Scotia. Contact us at
(902)
Regional Development Authorities (RDA)
There are 13 Regional Development Authorities that work to ensure that community business initiatives succeed. These can be individual ventures or focus on regional innovation. You can find out more about RDAs at the Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities' web site at http://www.nsarda.ca/ or by visiting the
Antigonish Regional Development Authority - http://www.antigonishrda.ns.ca/
Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority - http://www.cbceda.org/
Colchester Regional Development Agency - http://www.corda.ca/
Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association - http://www.creda.net/
Guysborough County Regional Development Authority - http://www.gcrda.ns.ca/
Halifax Regional Development Authority - http://www.hrda.ns.ca/
Greater Halifax Partnership – http://www.greaterhalifax.ca
Hants Regional Development Authority - http://www.hantscounty.com/
Kings Community Economic Development Agency - http://www.kingsced.ns.ca/
Lunenburg/Queens Regional Development Agency - http://www.lqrda.ns.ca/
Pictou Regional Development Commission - http://www.wearepictoucounty.com/
South West Shore Development Authority - http://www.swsda.com/
Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency - http://alin.ca/shrda/shrda_main.nsf
University Business Development Corporations (UBDC)
There are five UBDC’s throughout the province. They provide low-cost business consultations, counselling, research and training, as well as assistance with business and marketing plans. Services vary at each location.
For further information, please contact:
Toll-free
Phone:
6. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
Through membership, people will meet their business peers and key political leaders both nationally and internationally. The organization also holds conventions and meetings so that members may learn and profit through educational sessions. Manufacturers, exporters, research organizations and the service companies and others who support them are welcome.
For further information, please contact:
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
Collin's Bank, 3rd Floor
Phone:
Fax:
E-mail: ns@cme-mec.ca
Web site: http://www.cme-mec.ca
Business Network International (BNI)
An association for business networking. The
For further information, please contact:
Business Network International (
9351 St. Margaret's Bay Road
Queensland, NS B0J 1T0
Contact: Mary Anne Marriott
Phone:
Toll Free: (888)
Cell:
E-mail: mamarriott@bni.ca
Web site: http://www.bnicanada.ca
Business Round Table (Wolfville)
Business Round Table is an organization for entrepreneurs. Members are placed in a group with about ten other entrepreneurs. They meet once a month to help each other solve problems, prevent mistakes and maximize their opportunities.
For further information, please contact:
Business Round Table
PO Box 8965
Shediac, NS E4P 8W5
Contact: Judie Smith
Phone:
E-mail: justwrite@acncanada.net
Canadian Federation of Independent Business
A national organization that represents 100,000 small and medium-sized business owners to provide a voice over laws that govern business in Canada.
For further information, please contact:
Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Contact: Leanne Hachey
Phone:
Fax: (902)
E-mail: msns@cfibmail.com
Web site: http://www.cfib.ca
Downtown Dartmouth "Business Socials"
Provides networking and support services.
For further information, please contact:
Downtown Dartmouth "Business Socials"
Phone:
Fax:
E-mail: info@downtowndartmouth.ca
Web site: www.downtowndartmouth.ca
Halifax Women's Network
Provides networking and support services to professional or businesswoman to develop contacts, share professional expertise and ideas, exchange information, and learn new approaches in business.
For further information, please contact:
Halifax Women's Network
P.O. Box 3604 South Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3K6
Contact: Deborah M. Stover, President
E-mail: info@halifaxwomensnetwork.ca
Web site: http://www.halifaxwomensnetwork.ca
Metropolitan Halifax Chamber of Commerce
Actively develops and lobbies business policy positions and organizes special events that provide members with networking opportunities and education.
For further information, please contact:
Halifax Chamber of Commerce
Halifax,
Phone:
Fax: (902)
E-mail: info@halifaxchamber.com
Web site: http://www.halifaxchamber.com
7. HELPFUL INTERNET LINKS
Government of Canada Departments and Agencies Directory
This comprehensive list provides direct links to the primary web sites of Government of Canada departments, agencies and Crown corporations, as well as links to web sites maintained by organizations for which various departments and agencies are responsible. Available at:http://www.canada.gc.ca/depts/major/depind_e.html
Government of Nova Scotia Departments and Agencies Directory
This comprehensive list provides direct links to Government of Nova Scotia departments and agencies. Available at: http://www.gov.ns.ca/gov_index.asp#depts
A Newcomer's Introduction to Canada – Citizenship and Immigration
This information will help you get ready to leave your home country and make a new life in
Immigrating to
Thinking about immigrating to
Who is a Business Immigrant - Citizenship and Immigration
Available at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/business/index.html
Thinking of emigrating? Consider the
Invest in Canada
Invest in
Investment Canada Act – Industry
Non-Canadians who acquire control of an existing Canadian business or who wish to establish a new unrelated Canadian business are subject to this Act, and they must submit either a Notification or an Application for Review. For more information, visit: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inica-lic.nsf/en/Home
Multi-Cultural Association of Nova Scotia
An organization that reflects
DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.
Links Policy
Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.
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