Business Resources on the Web
Whether you are thinking of starting a business or already operate a business, there are a number of resources available to assist you with all aspects of operating a business. This page contains links to many useful websites.
General Information
Business Gateway provides information on a wide variety of subjects, including Business Start-Up, Financing, Tax, Human Resources Management, Importing and Exporting, and Selling to Government.
The Pictou Antigonish Regional Library has a Business Room where you can find information for starting, operating and owning your business.
Strategis is Industry Canada's Business and Consumer site. The site contains information on a variety of topics, including Trade/Investment, Sector Information, Licenses/Legislation, Financing, Starting a Business, and Consumer Information.
The Pictou County Tourist Association has information on tourism in Pictou County.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada has information on immigration regulations and the immigration process.
Nova Scotia Immigration has information on immigrating to Nova Scotia, Canada
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has information on patents, trademarks, copyrights, and industrial designs.
Canada Nova Scotia Business Service Centre has an Info-guide on Starting a Business
Business Start Up
For information on popular business topics, government programs and services, and tools for small businesses, visit theCanada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre's (C/NSBSC) website.
C/NSBSC has an Info-Guide on Starting a Business.
A number of Info-Guides on a variety of topics are also available.
C/NSBSC's Interactive Business Planner can be used to develop a business plan.
To find out how to register a business name, contact the Registry of Joint Stock Companies.
For information on income taxes for small businesses, read Revenue Canada's Guide for Canadian Small Businesses.
To find out information about Revenue Canada's Business Number that is used for corporate income tax, importing/exporting, payroll deductions, and GST/HST, read The Business Number and Your Canada Revenue Agency Accounts. Please note that, in Nova Scotia, when you register your business with Registry of Joint Stocks your business is automatically assigned a Business Number.
Search BizPal for various permits you may be required to obtain.
Nova Scotia Business Inc. has a variety of information about starting a business on its website.
Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business in Nova Scotia
How to Prepare a Business Plan
A Marketing Guide
Starting a Small Business in Nova Scotia
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), has information on patents, trademarks, copyrights, and industrial designs.
Financing, Assistance and Incentives
There are a variety of funding agencies that provide a wide array of funding options for new and existing businesses:
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Business Development Bank of Canada
Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC)
InNovaCorp
Canada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre
Strategis
The Truth About Grants
Importing and Exporting
The Canada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre has the following resources available to assist you when considering importing or exporting.
Exporting Info-Guide
Importing Info-Guide
Interactive Export Planner
ExportSource, Team Canada Inc's online resource for export information has a variety of information on exporting, including a Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting.
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency Guide to Importing Commercial Goods
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency Guide to Exporting Commercial Goods
Employment Programs
The Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development's Provincial Employment Program provides some funding for student employment.
Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) has a variety of Grants and Contributions available to fund employment.
Career Edge is a national internship program designed to give recent graduates career-related work experience. Career Edge also has other initiatives: Ability Edge is designed to increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The Nova Scotia Workers' Compensation Board offers the Employment Incentives Program (EIP) that offers financial and technical assistance to employers who are able to offer workers who have been injured on the job a chance to re-enter the workforce.
Canada/Nova Scotia Business Centre has an Employment and Training Info-Guide which lists a number of employment programs and provides links for more information.
Statistical Information
Target Nova Scotia has a variety of demographic and site selection data available.
Statistics Canada has Census data available and community profiles with demographic information.
The Nova Scotia Department of Finance has economic statistics for the province and regions within the province.
The Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development has a Business Climate Index which ranks Nova Scotia's business climate to other provinces across 52 indicators.
PRDA publishes a Pictou County Community Profile that contains a variety of information about Pictou County.
