November 18, 2024
The Honourable Tim Houston
One Government Place 1713 Barrington St.
Halifax, NS B3J 2A4
Sent via e-mail
Re: Nova Scotia Pre-Budget Submission
Premier Houston,
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC), representing 24 chambers of commerce and boards of trade and more than 4,800 businesses across Nova Scotia submits the following items for your consideration in the 2025-2026 Budget
1. Enhancing Connectivity Chambers of Commerce applaud the Government of Nova Scotia’s plans to enhance cellular coverage across the province, but there are still areas of the province with poor coverage that will not be addressed. Government should expand connectivity to ensure all areas inhabited within the province are included in coverage, including the roads leading to these communities. Enhancing connectivity beyond the current plans will not only bridge the digital divide but also bolster public safety by ensuring emergency services can reach and communicate with individuals in even the most isolated locations. This expansion could foster economic growth by enabling businesses in rural areas to leverage digital tools for commerce and communication, potentially attracting new investments and supporting local entrepreneurship.
2. Fiscal Responsibility
Government’s expenditures and addition to the provincial debt is of concern. For the next four years, Government is planning to run deficits with no plan to return to a balanced budget on the immediate horizon. While the reduction in taxation in the province has been welcomed, it must also be accompanied by a plan of fiscal responsibility. Increasing government debt unfairly burdens future generations who will inherit the obligation to repay this debt through higher taxes or reduced public services. Reigning in spending now will give government room to continue reducing taxation and will provide economic stability going into the future. 709-351-0291 rhonda@atlanticchamber.ca www.atlanticchamber.ca
3. Comprehensive Tax Review
The Government of Nova Scotia should launch a full provincial tax review to determine if the current tax structure aligns with fiscal responsibility and economic fairness. Simplifying the tax system could reduce compliance costs for businesses and individuals, making it easier for them to understand and fulfill their tax obligations. This could encourage more economic participation and investment from both local and external stakeholders by removing barriers to entry and operation within the province.
4. Housing and Labour
Housing affordability is a significant concern in Nova Scotia. One of the driving factors behind the supply of housing not keeping up with the demand is the lack of available labour to build new homes. In 2021, Nova Scotia introduced the More Opportunity for Skilled Trades (MOST) program, a tax rebate for trades workers under the age of 30 on the first $50,000 of income. The eligibility for this program should be expanded to include all ages of in-demand trade workers to increase the province’s competitiveness in attracting and recruiting talent. The prioritization of reducing regulatory burden is also important in the housing sector to allow the private sector to invest in Nova Scotia with certainty that their developments will not face unnecessary barriers, burden, and delays.
The ACC is willing to meet and discuss how we can support your government’s efforts on improving the environment for all businesses to thrive.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Tulk-Lane
CEO Atlantic Chamber of Commerce
The Honourable Tim Houston
One Government Place 1713 Barrington St.
Halifax, NS B3J 2A4
Sent via e-mail
Re: Nova Scotia Pre-Budget Submission
Premier Houston,
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC), representing 24 chambers of commerce and boards of trade and more than 4,800 businesses across Nova Scotia submits the following items for your consideration in the 2025-2026 Budget
1. Enhancing Connectivity Chambers of Commerce applaud the Government of Nova Scotia’s plans to enhance cellular coverage across the province, but there are still areas of the province with poor coverage that will not be addressed. Government should expand connectivity to ensure all areas inhabited within the province are included in coverage, including the roads leading to these communities. Enhancing connectivity beyond the current plans will not only bridge the digital divide but also bolster public safety by ensuring emergency services can reach and communicate with individuals in even the most isolated locations. This expansion could foster economic growth by enabling businesses in rural areas to leverage digital tools for commerce and communication, potentially attracting new investments and supporting local entrepreneurship.
2. Fiscal Responsibility
Government’s expenditures and addition to the provincial debt is of concern. For the next four years, Government is planning to run deficits with no plan to return to a balanced budget on the immediate horizon. While the reduction in taxation in the province has been welcomed, it must also be accompanied by a plan of fiscal responsibility. Increasing government debt unfairly burdens future generations who will inherit the obligation to repay this debt through higher taxes or reduced public services. Reigning in spending now will give government room to continue reducing taxation and will provide economic stability going into the future. 709-351-0291 rhonda@atlanticchamber.ca www.atlanticchamber.ca
3. Comprehensive Tax Review
The Government of Nova Scotia should launch a full provincial tax review to determine if the current tax structure aligns with fiscal responsibility and economic fairness. Simplifying the tax system could reduce compliance costs for businesses and individuals, making it easier for them to understand and fulfill their tax obligations. This could encourage more economic participation and investment from both local and external stakeholders by removing barriers to entry and operation within the province.
4. Housing and Labour
Housing affordability is a significant concern in Nova Scotia. One of the driving factors behind the supply of housing not keeping up with the demand is the lack of available labour to build new homes. In 2021, Nova Scotia introduced the More Opportunity for Skilled Trades (MOST) program, a tax rebate for trades workers under the age of 30 on the first $50,000 of income. The eligibility for this program should be expanded to include all ages of in-demand trade workers to increase the province’s competitiveness in attracting and recruiting talent. The prioritization of reducing regulatory burden is also important in the housing sector to allow the private sector to invest in Nova Scotia with certainty that their developments will not face unnecessary barriers, burden, and delays.
The ACC is willing to meet and discuss how we can support your government’s efforts on improving the environment for all businesses to thrive.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Tulk-Lane
CEO Atlantic Chamber of Commerce
