Small Business Loan Guarantee Program

As a Nova Scotia resident, you could borrow up to $500,000 from a credit union in the form of a loan, line of credit or working capital to start or grow a business. Eligibility is based on your business plan, viability, and character. Acadian Credit Union 15089 Cabot Trail Cheticamp 1902-224-2055 Dominion Credit Union 94 Commercial Street Dominion, NS 902 849 8648 Glace Bay Central Credit Union Main Branch 598 Main St. Glace Bay, NS 902 849 7512 Reserve Mines Branch 2249 Sydney Rd. Reserve Mines, NS 902 849 4583 St. Joseph’s Credit Union 3552 Highway 206, Petit de Grat 1-902-226-2288 East Coast Credit Union Branches Baddeck Branch 902-295-3477 Havre Boucher Branch 902-234-2523 Inverness Branch 902-258-2045 L’Ardoise Branch 902-587-2414 Louisdale Branch 902-345-2015 Mabou Branch 902-945-2003 Margaree Branch 902-235-2659 Port Hawkesbury Branch 902-625-0190 Port Hood Branch 902-787-3246 St. Peter’s Branch 902-535-3101 Sydney Credit Union Sydney Branch 95 Townsend St., Sydney 902 562-5593 sydney@sydneycreditunion.com Sydney River Branch 1280 Kings Rd., Sydney River 902-539-1684 sydneyriver@sydneycreditunion.com

Startup Canada – Entrepreneur Success Investment Fund

Startup Canada and Trushield Insurance have partnered together to launch the Entrepreneur Success Fund to invest in projects, programs, and initiatives that support entrepreneur success across Canada. The fund supports existing tools, technologies, programs, and initiatives that support entrepreneur access to information, training, mentorship, capital and connectivity, and have the potential to benefit from scaling through the Startup Canada Network. The fund provides: Up to $2,500 in micro-grant support Featured on StartupNews.ca and a guest-spot on the Startup Canada Podcast VIP Pass and Program at Startup Canada Day on the Hill on October 18th in Ottawa Concierge introduction to a network of 50 Startup Communities to scale

Student Summer Skill Incentive (SKILL)

Access a wage subsidy to help reduce the cost of hiring post-secondary students for quality summer jobs if you work for a non-profit or registered charity. SKILL helps registered charities and societies offer summer jobs to post-secondary students. Eligible employers can hire students for terms of 8-14 weeks in the summer. You’ll receive a subsidy of $9.10 per hour ($10.10 if the student is a member of designated diversity group) for the wages you pay to your student employees. Designated diversity groups are: Mi’kmaq or Indigenous African Nova Scotians Visible minorities (including persons of African descent) Persons with disabilities (consisting of a physical, cognitive or mental impairment that presents a persistent barrier to work)   Eligibility Organizations can apply for the subsidy if they: are a not-for-profit organization registered as a charity or active society with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies plan to hire a university or college student for 8-14 weeks between April and August pay their summer student-employee minimum wage or more (plus vacation pay) for 30 to 35 hours of work per week aren’t receiving funding from any other government employment program for the same position How to apply If your organization is registered in the online Labour Market Programs Support System (LaMPSS), you can apply now.

Sydney Makerspace

The Sydney Makerspace gives Cape Breton start-ups, entrepreneurs, students and other creative minds the place, equipment, materials and education to let them design and build innovative products. The 4,000 sq.ft. space in Sydney includes a general work area, a tool library, a metal working shop, a selection of woodworking tools, an electronics/robotics lab, as well as 3D drawing and printing abilities. Discounted memberships are available to students, educators, Veterans, seniors and partner groups (Centre for Craft and Design, Island Sandbox, Navigate, New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation and Mentor Connect)

Tax Deductions TD1

TD1, Personal Tax Credits Return, is a form used to determine the amount of tax to be deducted from an individual’s employment income or other income, such as pension income. There are federal and provincial/territorial TD1 forms. Individuals complete the forms and give them to their employer or payer who should keep the completed forms with their records.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program

If your business is facing a labour shortage, or you are unable to find the talent your business needs, why not look outside of Canada? The following programs can help you hire the right match for your business.

The Canada-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

The Canada-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is a progressive trade agreement that upholds and promotes the values that Canada shares with the EU. This landmark agreement was signed on October 30, 2016 and entered into force on September 21, 2017.

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free trade agreement between Canada and 10 other countries in the Asia-Pacific region: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Once fully implemented, the 11 countries will form a trading bloc representing 495 million consumers and 13.5% of global GDP, providing Canada with preferential access to key markets in Asia and Latin America. On December 30, 2018 the CPTPP entered into force among the first six countries to ratify the agreement – Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and Singapore. On January 14, 2019, the CPTPP entered into force for Vietnam.

The Nova Scotia Securities Commission

The Nova Scotia Securities Commission was established to provide investors with protection from activities that undermine investor confidence in the fairness and efficiency of Nova Scotia capital markets and where not inconsistent with investor protection, to foster capital formation. Learn about Start-up Crowdfunding Exemptions, Community Economic Development Investment Funds, Corporate Finance, and more!

Trade Commissioner Service Webinars

Do you want to find out more about starting, growing or managing your business? Events such as webinars, Twitter chats, tradeshows and networking events may help you learn more on a variety of topics. Find out how these webinars can help you break into foreign markets.