ABC: Aboriginal Business Canada
Aboriginal Business Canada provides support to aboriginal entrepreneurs for a range of activities including business planning, start-up, expansion, and marketing. ABC works with clients including Aboriginal heritage groups, on and off-reserve, in urban, rural and remote areas. They provide eligible majority-owned Aboriginal enterprises with financial assistance, business information and resource materials, and referrals to other possible sources of financing or business support.
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/index-eng.asp
ABSN: Aboriginal Business Service Network
The Aboriginal Business Service Network builds on the structure of existing Canada Business service centres located across the country which provide free-of-charge access to government information on business programs, services,and regulations. These resources are tailored to meet the unique requirements of Aboriginal clients.
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/ns/absn
ACOA: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency provides financial assistance to businesses in the following sectors/areas:
- Manufacturing and processing (involves value-added activity)
- Ocean industries, oil and gas, aerospace and defense
- Life science
- Tourism
- Aquaculture and fish
- Innovation
- Information and technology based industries
- Noncommercial services to businesses which are not personal in nature
http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/English/Pages/home.aspx
BBI: Black Business Initiative
The BBI is a Province-wide business development initiative committed to fostering the growth of businesses owned by members of the Nova Scotia Black Community. It also places priority on educating Black business owners in the operation of
their business – from marketing to budgeting to securing funding.
BDC: Business Development Bank of Canada
BDC provides small and medium-sized businesses with flexible financing, affordable consulting services and venture capital. BDC supports the needs of entrepreneurs at every stage of growth.
http://www.bdc.ca/flash.htm?cookie%5Ftest=1
CACL: Canadian Association for Community Living
The Canadian Association for Community Living is Canada’s national association dedicated to promoting the participation of people with intellectual disabilities in all aspects community life.
CAPD: Canadian Association of Professionals with Disabilities
Their non-profit is solely and permanently committed to meeting the complex and emerging concerns of professionals with disabilities.
http://www.canadianprofessionals.org/
CBNS: Canada Business – Nova Scotia
Canada Business – Nova Scotia is your first point of contact for information on government programs, services and regulations for business. Whether you are thinking about, starting, growing or exiting a business anywhere in Nova Scotia, the Centre has many free electronic and library resources to help you with planning, market research, exporting, financing, and more.
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/ns
CLDA: Canadian Learning Disabilities Association
The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada is dedicated to advance the education, employment, social development, legal rights and general well-being of people with learning disabilities.
CMHA: Canadian Mental Health Association
The Canadian Mental Health Association exists to promote the mental health of all people and to serve mental health consumers, their families and friends. They run programs that assists employment, housing, early intervention for youth, peer support and recreation services for people with mental illness, stress reduction workshops and public education campaigns for the community.
http://www.cmha.ca/bins/index.asp
CNIB: Canadian National Institute for the Blind
CNIB services are designed to help blind and visually impaired people adjust to loss of sight, enabling them to live independently. Any person who is experiencing functional visual difficulties is eligible for CNIB services.
CPA: Canadian Paraplegic Association
The CPA has a searchable data base of what is accessible or not in Nova Scotia. It has over 1000 entries on the site. It is ideal for members of many organizations and even the general public.
http://www.canparaplegic.org/ns/
CRA: Canada Revenue Agency
Businesses can get one-stop service at Business Windows in most Canada Revenue Agency offices. Service is offered at the counter, by telephone or fax for the four Business Number (BN) accounts (i.e. corporate income tax, import/export, payroll deductions and GST). Business Window staff can also put business clients in touch with the right contact for other CRA business programs.
http://www.cra.gc.ca/menu-e.html
CFIB: Canadian Federation of Independent Business
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is a national organization representing 100,000 small and medium-sized business owners with a voice over laws that govern business in Canada.
CIPO: Canadian Intellectual Property Office
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is responsible for giving information on all areas of intellectual property, which are: Patents, Trade-marks, Copyright, Industrial Design, and Integrated Circuit Topographies.
CSSD: Canadian Society for Social Development
CSSD’s mandate is to provide employment and skills training to persons facing barriers to employment: persons with disabilities, aboriginals, youth, the unemployed and individuals living in rural areas; and to conduct research for the development of programs in the areas of entrepreneurship, leadership and distance learning. To ensure equal opportunities for all Canadians, the CSSD, using Internet based technologies, will provide entrepreneurial training and will enhance employability for persons experiencing barriers to employment.
CEED: Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development
CEED builds entrepreneurship awareness and capacity throughout Atlantic Canada. CEED has several programs for small business such as the Open for Business Program that is in place to help get small business running with workshops, networking opportunities and conferences or the CEED Financing Program that provides small business loans to eligible candidates.
Chambers, Boards of Trade, and Partnerships
The role of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce in achieving its vision is to build and strengthen the business culture through member services, advocacy, and leadership.
CAP: Community Access Program
The Community Access Program provides public computer access to the Internet at the local community level. The overall objective is to provide all Canadians with affordable, convenient access to the global knowledge-based economy and the opportunity to use its technologies.
CBDC: Community Business Development Corporations
The Community Business Development Corporations are a network of autonomous, not-for-profit organizations that work with all levels of government and the private sector to meet the needs of small business. In rural Atlantic Canada there are 41 Corporations dedicated to the development of small business and
job creation. CBDCs have been in operation for over 30 years.
Le Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse
Le Conseil de développement Économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse is a non-profit organization which promotes economic development and the creation of sustainable jobs for Acadians and francophones in Nova Scotia.
DCS: Department of Community Services
The Department of Community Services is committed to a sustainable social service system that promotes the independence, self-reliance, and security of the people we serve. This will be achieved through excellence in service delivery, leadership and collaboration with our partners.
http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/department/index.html
EP: Entrepreneurs’ Forum
Entrepreneurs’ Forum can assist you by organizing a confidential advisory session with a panel of senior business people and professionals. EF volunteers have run their own businesses and know first-hand the difficulties entrepreneurs face, and are willing to share their experiences with you. During the EF sessions you will receive timely, strategic, constructive advice from many business viewpoints. All EF session and coaching costs are borne by our funding contributors and volunteers.
http://www.entrepreneursforum.com/index.htm
GHP: Greater Halifax Partnership
The Greater Halifax Partnership leads economic growth for greater Halifax. In regards to entrepreneurship the GHP provides referral services for start-ups and a great number of services for established businesses. The SmartBusiness program at the GHP addresses issues affecting local business such as accessing new markets, recruiting skilled workers, addressing training needs, addressing business location and relocation needs, accessing financing information, and assisting with local government.
http://www.greaterhalifax.com/en/home/default.aspx
Halifax Public Libraries Small Business
Startup Service
The Halifax Public Library at Spring Garden Road provides a Small Business Startup Service, a free one-on-one information service geared to the startup of a business that includes a 45 minute session tailored to their business idea. Topics that may be covered include: researching the business idea; available resources to develop a business plan; market research information; and
referrals to other agencies providing assistance to entrepreneurs.
http://www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/
HRM: Halifax Regional Municipality
Provides a link for businesses and individuals requiring information concerning municipal regulations, programs, and organizations.
IBP: Interactive Business Planner
The IBP uses the capabilities of the Internet to assist entrepreneurs in preparing a 3-year business plan for their new or existing business. By using a question and answer format online, this site will help entrepreneurs generate a business plan.
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/ibp/en/
MISA: Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association
The Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association is a community-based organization which welcomes newcomers and recognizes their essential role in Canada. For entrepreneurs, MISA has the Immigrant Business Development Services (IMDS)program which gives participants the information, contacts and confidence newcomers need to establish and maintain a business in Nova Scotia. Services offered in this program include individual information and referral, workshops and seminars, and opportunities to connect with the business community in Halifax.
NEWD: Network for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities (EDN’s former name)
NSARDA: Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities
Working in the diverse communities of Nova Scotia, located on Canada’s east coast, the Nova Scotia Regional Development Authorities – or RDAs – are 13 community-based groups helping individual and community ventures succeed. From partnerships, to
business advice, to government navigation, Nova Scotia RDAs are the first-stop in the road to successful communities. Nova Scotia RDAs initiatives, activities and services take place at the local community level and are shaped by the Nova Scotia Regional Community Development Act and individual work plans as outlined by Nova Scotia RDA board members.
NSBI: Nova Scotia Business Inc.
Nova Scotia Business Inc. is a private sector led organization whose goal is to expand business activity in Nova Scotia. NSBI is primarily focused upon activities that result in sustainable, value-added growth to the economy in order to increase employment and provincial revenues.
http://www.novascotiabusiness.com/
WCB: Nova Scotia Workers’ Compensation Board
The WCB’s strategy is to provide an effective administration in order to co-ordinate all partners in the workers’ compensation system to focus their efforts on building a healthy, working Nova Scotia. The mission is to assist injured workers and their employers by providing timely medical and rehabilitative support to facilitate the efforts of injured workers to return to work; and to provide appropriate compensation for work-related disabilities.
http://www.wcb.ns.ca/wcbns/index_e.aspx?ArticleID=715
NSERD: Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development
The Department of Economic and Rural Development provides leadership by helping create the right conditions for a strong, competitive, and sustainable economy. Our primary purpose is to stimulate the economy by helping expand employment opportunities, encouraging the establishment and growth of commerce and industry, and generally enhancing the prosperity and well being of Nova Scotians. This includes designing policies, programs, and activities that strengthen economic and social conditions in the province.
http://www.gov.ns.ca/econ/overview/
reachAbility
reachAbility is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that quality legal and social representation is provided to persons living with disabilities.
SEB: Self-Employment Benefits Program
Self-Employment is an employment program of Employment Nova Scotia that provides financial assistance to eligible individuals to help them create jobs for themselves by starting a business.
http://www.gov.ns.ca/employmentnovascotia/programs/self-employment.asp
Self-Help Connection
The Self-Help Connection works to enhance the quality of life of mental health consumers through support and education. It is a Self-Help Resource Centre or Clearinghouse for over 500 groups in Nova Scotia, including support groups for abuse, anxiety, stress, depression, manic depression, addictions, bereavement, eating disorders, parenting, caregiving, heart and stroke, cancer and divorce. This organization also supports self-employment and entrepreneurship through various programs.
http://www.selfhelpconnection.ca/
SSCNS: kills Canada-Nova Scotia
Skills Canada-Nova Scotia is non-profit organization that promotes and encourages excellence in skilled trade and technology careers. The latest initiative of SCNS is Disability Services. The objective of this initiative is to provide information on services and resources that are available in the province, and to integrate persons with disabilities into SCNS programs and events.
Statistics Canada
An advisory service that provides assistance in meeting business information needs.
http://www.statcan.ca/start.html
TEAM Work Cooperative
This association works to facilitate the full participation of persons with disabilities in the Nova Scotia labour force. They work to assess each client and then offer a combination of services that caters to individual employment needs. Services range from referral and employment planning to specialized workshops and job maintenance, which develop and support employment and
business opportunities for persons with disabilities.
http://www.teamworkcooperative.ns.ca/
TRC: Technical Resource Centre
The TRC has conducted many presentations, demonstrations, workshops and inservices. Consultants have facilitated teaching and learning sessions, collaborated through consultations, assessments and networking while providing extensive resource and reference materials. An assistive technology loan program has also allowed consumers and professionals to move towards a better “planning and decision making” process through “best practices” that encourages appropriate, functional and cost effective technology interventions.
UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SERVICE CENTRES
Acadia Centre for Social & Business Entrepreneurship (ACSBE)
Acadia Centre for Social & Business Entrepreneurship was established 20 years ago and over the years has evolved into a full-service provider for entrepreneurial development. It operates under the belief that individuals can manifest entrepreneurial characteristics, spirit, and skills in every facet of life, whether that be starting a business or working with an existing organization.
CWB: Centre for Women in Business
The Centre for Women in Business is a non-profit resource centre sponsored by Mount Saint Vincent University. The Centre provides the following services: business counselling, workshops, professional development, seminars, entrepreneurial training, networking, international partnership, student involvement, business circles, and a resource room.
http://www.msvu.ca/cwb/index.asp
XEDC: Saint Francis Xavier Enterprise Development Centre
The Saint Francis Xavier Enterprise Development Centre (XEDC) represents a partnership between the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Saint Francis Xavier University. Located on 54 St Mary’s Street, our mandate is to enhance economic growth in Northern Nova Scotia by promoting enterprise development and supporting small business. We focus on serving StFX students, staff and faculty as well as new and existing small business owners with an emphasis on linking university resources with the business community. A new target for the XEDC is youth (15-35 years old) interested in entrepreneurship, with a view to creating seamless entrepreneurship programs across our service area, working collaboratively with our partners.
http://www.xedc.ca/index2.html
Saint Mary’s University Business Development Centre (SMUBDC)
Offers a preparation of business plans, market research, computer advice and related business counselling and support practices (i.e. bookkeeping). Initial consultation is free, with subsequent sessions on a fee-for-service basis.
http://www.smu.ca/partners/smubdc/htmls/index.html
Université Sainte-Anne
Centre Jodrey pour le développement des entreprises. Le Centre à pour mission d’offrir des services de consultation, de conseil et de formation aux petites et moyennes entreprises et aux organisations à but non lucratif qui contribuent au développement économique dans les comtés de Digby et de Yarmouth et d’offrir aux étudiants universitaires l’occasion de mettre en pratique les théories apprises.
http://www.usainteanne.ca/services/centre_jodrey.php
