The following companies/organizations are Investors of the Cape Breton Partnership and offer services specific to business development.

Export Development Canada

Export Development Canada is Canada’s export credit agency. Their job is to support and develop Canada’s export trade by helping Canadian companies respond to international business opportunities. They’re a self-financing, Crown corporation that operates at arm’s length from the Government. They provide insurance and financial services, bonding products and small business solutions to Canadian exporters and investors and their international buyers. They also support Canadian direct investment abroad and investment into Canada. In 2016, they helped more than 7,150 Canadian companies do business in over 200 countries. The majority of these companies were small business, and more than 30 per cent of this business was conducted in fast-growing emerging markets. Using their financial products and services, their customers’ export sales and investments totaled almost $99 billion. They estimate that this helped generate $63.9 billion of Canada’s GDP, contributed more than 4 cents for every dollar earned and helped sustain 525,400 jobs.

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1605-1969 Upper Water St. Tower 2 Halifax Nova Scotia B3J 3R7

(902) 450-7610

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Grant Thronton

Grant Thornton—a leading Canadian accounting and business advisory firm – and the largest accounting firm in Atlantic Canada – providing audit, tax and advisory services to private and public organizations.  To complement our technical knowledge and expertise, we have professionals who are dedicated to developing in-depth industry knowledge. Together with the Quebec firm Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP, we have approximately 4,000 people in offices across Canada. Grant Thornton LLP is a Canadian member of Grant Thornton International Ltd (Grant Thornton International). Grant Thornton International and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered by the member firms independently.

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Suite 200 - 500 George St Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 4K6

(902) 562-558

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Group ATN Consulting

Group ATN Consulting is a diversified consultancy serving the public and private Sectors, First Nations and Aboriginal Interests and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Their mission is to support and optimize value to our clients. Their philosophy springs from key commitments to quality, thought leadership, focused customer service, innovative solutions, and absolute accountability. Group ATN Consulting provides services including feasibility assessments, business development strategies, government relations services, policy development and analysis, economic analysis, and more. Their team also works hard to remain current on leading issues and trends by exposing their consultants to a network of thought leaders, tracking and analyzing economic and social trends, subscribing to social media, maintaining an advisory group of seasoned leaders, and actively participating in forums and events that provide opportunities for learning and the collision of ideas.

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5663 Cornwallis Street, Suite 100 Halifax Nova Scotia B3K 1B6

(902) 482-1221

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Hardwire IT Solutions

Hardwire IT Solutions Inc. is an information technology consulting/services firm providing IT consulting, networking services and technical application/hardware support to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and surrounding areas. It was incorporated in September of 2009 and is a 100% Cape Breton owned and operated organization. Hardwire IT Solutions Inc. was formed by the former IT department of a national company whose data center was located in Sydney. Hardwire provides IT service to the CBRM and surrounding areas utilizing the same model that allowed them to support hundreds of users across multiple offices and manage thousands of end point hardware devices/applications on a 24/7 schedule. The Hardwire team has a total combined industry experience of 45 years and has supported a variety of businesses spanning multiple industries. Hardwire IT Solutions Inc. offers the Cape Breton market dependable, quality IT support services at competitive rates.

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61 Castle Drive Sydney, Nova Scotia B1S 2A5

(902) 578-9081


Immigrant Loan Program

Immigrant Loan Program Loans of up to $20,000 for temporary residents, age 19 years and older, wishing to start a registered business in our area; Access to training, advisory and consulting services; Seasonal and part-time businesses are acceptable; Most sectors are eligible; and Fixed interest will be charged at prime rate plus 3%.

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Patrica MacNeil

Executive Director

(902) 539-4332

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Invest Nova Scotia

At Invest Nova Scotia we are working towards a strong, thriving and globally competitive Nova Scotia through attracting global investment to create new jobs across the province and working with companies in all communities to be more successful exporters. We can help you get there from here. With extensive industry and market expertise, we are passionate about helping Nova Scotia companies discover new exporting opportunities. Make Nova Scotia your business solution. If you are not yet familiar with our province, allow us to show you why our talent, geographic location, reputation, and research and development are attracting world-leading companies to establish operations here. You may also be interested in our Industrial Lands that offer access to shipping, logistics and distribution of your products.

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Wanda MacLean

Regional Business Development Advisor

902-227-7144

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JBW Consulting Inc.

Jim Wooder has a diverse background with a marine focus gained through 30 years of experience that includes maritime law practice (Clyde & Co.; Stewart McKelvey; Gard P&I), offshore oil & gas operations and senior management (Lasmo, PanCanadian, EnCana, Chevron) and more recently leading large scale environmental assessment and port related development projects. Recent experience includes: -led a joint venture among Nabors Drilling, EnCana, Laurentian Energy Corp. and RKO Steel for the fabrication of two complete onshore drill rigs -led the EA for the Sydport Container Terminal Development Project and associated Sydney Harbour Channel Dredging -PM for the 4.5 million m3 Sydney dredge and 175 acre land reclamation project comprising (i)Canada’s largest dredge (ii) one of DFO’s largest ever marine habitat compensation projects developed in collaboration with local fishers, and (iii) a large scale fishery catch & release program that moved circa 250,000 animals out of the dredge path over a 3 month period. -PM for Provincial Energy Ventures planned $75m terminal expansion at the former SYSCO dock (concept engineering, cost estimates and preliminary construction) -evaluation of transshipment options for a planned crude oil storage and transshipment terminal at the Port of Belledune -advisor to Sydport Terminals Limited regarding the establishment of a container terminal in Sydney -advisor to Brightleaf Technolgies, a Colorado based solar power company regarding the establishment of a j.v. at CBU’s Vershuren Center and a subsidiary in Sydney, N.S. Jim’s diverse background is well suited to both general and project management and business development roles. Much of his experience has had a marine focus and provides him with a unique perspective and combination of skills that are well suited to the ongoing development of Atlantic Canada’s evolving energy and transportation industries.

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Jim Wooder

Principal

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia


Kim Long and Associates

Experienced Human Resources Professional with a demonstrated history of working in private and non-profit sectors. Skilled in Training, Program Development, Facilitation, and Management.

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MacLeod Lorway

Since 1976, MacLeod Lorway has been serving the needs of individuals, families, and businesses across Nova Scotia. MacLeod Lorway came to life when C.R. Lorway and Son Limited and Stuart MacLeod Limited merged; they began acquiring other agencies shortly after. President Stuart MacLeod Jr. has been in a leadership role since the group’s early beginnings in 1976. The MacLeod Lorway philosophy has always revolved around providing individualized attention to each customer. As Stuart would say, “when you call one of our offices you will speak to a person, not an automated answering service”. Based on this philosophy, MacLeod Lorway has always been for people who appreciate insurance as more than simply coverage at a price. MacLeod Lorway is the insurance broker that includes personal care, understanding, and support with every policy. MacLeod Lorway has brokerages in nine Nova Scotian communities (Check our offices here). They also represent over 160 life insurance companies, allowing them to provide you with the best possible insurance rates.

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215 Charlotte Street Sydney, NS B1P 6K3

902-539-6666

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Mi’kmaw Economic Benefits Office

The mandate of the Mi’kmaw Economic Benefits Office (MEBO) is to maximize the employment and contract opportunities for indigenous community members in Unama’ki (Cape Breton).  We achieve this by continually expanding our broad network of industry partners across all sectors. MEBO supports the growth of businesses as well as aspiring entrepreneurs in the establishment of new businesses. We can help with: providing training workshops assistance preparing funding applications business plan development

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Alex Paul

201 Churchill Dr Suite 201, Membertou, NS B1S 0H1

902-562-4700

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Business Counselling

Community Business Development Corporation offers business counselling, advice and other assistance to both new and established business owners and entrepreneurs.

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Business Management Skills Training

Our team offers many different types of training programs all intended to help business people and entrepreneurs improve their business management skills so they can improve their businesses or build new ones. We provide business skills training on lots of different and business topics, such as market development, feasibility studies, bookkeeping, finance, business analysis and more.

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Business Navigators

Our Business Navigators can give you personalized and timely help with regulation and requirements, including registration, permit and licences. They can help free up your time so you can focus on your job: building a successful business. Nova Scotia’s business navigators help business owners with business needs such as:

Registering a business
Determining what permits and licenses are required to operate a business
Understanding applicable inspection requirements
Finding resources to assist with financing, taxes, staffing and other needs

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1-844-628-7347 (1-844-NAV-REGS)

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Business Taxes

This site includes information on income tax, GST/HST, payroll, business numbers and customs rates.

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Canada Business Nova Scotia Events Calendar

Learn about various events offered for entrepreneurs in Nova Scotia.

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Canada Green Corps Program

If your business or non-profit organization is looking to reduce its environmental footprint or increase sustainability, you can apply for a wage subsidy to hire an eligible youth. Eligible employers must:   Offer meaningful work experience Offer a 4 to 6 month term Pay a portion of the youth’s salary   Eligible participants must: Be between 18 and 30 years of age Be legally entitled to work in Canada Not be a full-time student or co-op student

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(613) 232-5751

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Canada Revenue Agency

Learn how to manage various aspects of your business administration through a selection of online videos and recorded webinars for business owners. The videos and webinars cover topics such as:   Starting a business GST/HST Payroll and preparing T4 and T4A Reporting business income and expenses Keeping Records

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Canada Revenue Agency- Scientific Research and Experimental Development

This website provides information about the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Program, including what you need to know to claim SR&ED tax incentives.

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Canada Small Business Financing Program

July 2022 update: The amendments to the Canada Small Business Financing Regulations and Canada Small Business Financing Act came into force on July 4, 2022. They provide lenders and small businesses with additional financing products, new class of loans, increased loan amounts and terms, improved loan conditions and decreased administrative burden. Financial institutions are currently in the process of rolling out these changes to start offering all of the enhanced features shortly. The Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders. Term loans can be used to finance the following costs: purchase or improvement of land or buildings used for commercial purposes purchase or improvement of new or used equipment purchase of new or existing leasehold improvements, that is, renovations to a leased property by a tenant intangible assets and working capital costs Lines of credit can be used to pay for working capital costs, that is, day-to-day operating expenses of the business. The maximum loan amount for any one borrower is $1.15 million. Contact your nearest lending agency, or agency of choice to learn more: Credit Unions East Coast Credit Union Limited 1168 East Margaree Road Margaree NS St. Joseph’s Credit Union 3552 Highway 206 Petit De Grat NS New Waterford Credit Union 3462 Plummer Avenue New Waterford NS Sydney Credit Union 95 Townsend Street P.O. Box 1386 Sydney NS Bank of Montreal 37 Union Street Glace Bay NS Bank of Nova Scotia 765 Main Street Sydney Mines NS 299 Commercial Street P.O. Box 40 North Sydney Ns 125 Commercial Street Glace Bay NS 634 Reeves Street Unit 18 Port Hawkesbury NS Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 11 Keltic Drive Sydney River NS 15 Dorchester St. Sydney NS Toronto Dominion Bank 292 Charlotte Street Sydney NS

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Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)

On November 30, 2018, Canada, the United States and Mexico signed the new Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), on the margins of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Buenos Aires. Parties are now undertaking their domestic process towards ratification and implementation of the CUSMA. The CUSMA outcomes preserve key elements of this trading relationship and incorporate new and updated provisions that seek to address 21st-century trade issues and promote opportunities for the nearly half a billion people who call North America home.

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Trade Negotiations – North America Division (TNP)

Global Affairs Canada

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