Atlantic Canada Business Grants

Provincial Government

Farm Land Identification Program (FLIP)

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Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Tax Defferal

Description:

The Farm Land Identification Program provides for the deferral of provincial property taxes on eligible farmland and outbuildings to encourage the preservation of real property for agricultural use. It is open to all owners of real property. 

Benefits of the FLIP Program:

Tax Deferral: The FLIP program allows eligible farmland and outbuildings to defer provincial property taxes, which can help reduce the financial burden on farmers and landowners. This can be especially helpful during times when the agricultural industry is facing challenges.

Preservation of Farmland: By participating in the FLIP program, landowners are committing to preserving their land for agricultural use. This helps to protect farmland from being converted to non-agricultural uses, which can threaten the sustainability of the agricultural industry.

Access to Funding: Some funding programs require that land be registered under the FLIP program to be eligible for funding. By participating in the program, landowners can access these funding opportunities and receive financial support for their agricultural activities.

Recognition: Registered FLIP properties are recognized as agricultural properties, which can help to increase the visibility and recognition of the agricultural industry in New Brunswick.

Comments on Funding:

The program provides for the deferral of applicable provincial real property tax on the assessed value of registered farmland and farm outbuildings. The portion of the local or municipal tax rate that is above the average LSD rate for the province is also deferred.

When a property registered in the Farm Land Identification Program is deregistered or withdrawn from the program by the assessed owner, the deferred taxes to a maximum of 15 previous years together with associated interest becomes due and payable.

The total amount of interest added to the deferred taxes payable upon deregistration or withdrawal on or after September 1, 2007 from the Farm Land Identification Program is limited to a maximum of 50% of the total taxes deferred.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must be farmland and outbuilding New Brunswick owners.
  • Land must be registered in the Registry of Agricultural Land under the Agricultural Land Protection and Development Act.
  • Farm outbuildings must be located on land registered in the Registry of Agricultural Land under the Agricultural Land Protection and Development Act.
  • The property (land and farm outbuildings where applicable) must be in use by an agricultural operation, or the owner must be willing to make the property available for use by rent or lease, given a reasonable offer, and must allow such property to be advertised as being available for rent or lease, to be eligible for registration in FLIP.
  • The land does not have a subdivision plan registered in the Provincial Land Registry which will result in the removal of the property from agricultural use.

Application Steps:

1

Applicants must submit an application to be considered for registration. Registration is a long term commitment to maintain land in agricultural use. There may be substantial financial costs to exiting the program.


Applications for registration of agricultural land in both the Registry of Agricultural Land and the Farm Land Identification Program should be made together, on the form provided.


Application forms are available from any office of the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries or online.


Applications must be signed by the registered owner(s) of the property.

Program Contact:

Farm Land Identification Program

Application Form

JobsNL Wage Subsidy

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Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Subsidy

Description:

The JobsNL Wage Subsidy program supports employers to create sustainable long-term employment or seasonal / short term employment. The subsidy is intended to offset salary costs to create new positions.

There are two subsidy options:

  1. 1
    JobsNL- 42 that provides a wage subsidy for 28 weeks of a minimum 42-week period of employment
  2. 2
    JobsNL- 28 that provides a wage subsidy for a period of 10 – 28 weeks, allowing funding for seasonal / short term employment.

Comments on Funding:

For the JobsNL- 42 option the subsidy is as follows:

  • first 14 weeks, 60% subsidy, to a maximum of $12 towards the hourly wage rate,
  • second 14 weeks, 0% subsidy towards wages,
  • third 14 weeks, 80% subsidy, to a maximum of $12 towards the hourly wage rate.

A completion bonus of $2,000 for the employer and $1,000 for the employee may be paid, only if the employee remains employed for ten (10) weeks after the end of the subsidy, meaning 52 weeks of continuous employment.

For the JobsNL- 28 option the subsidy is 60% subsidy, to a maximum of $12 towards the hourly wage rate.

A completion bonus of $2,000 for the employer and $1,000 for the employee may be paid to employers approved for a subsidy of 28 weeks, only if the employee remains employed for ten (10) weeks after the end of the subsidy period, meaning 38 weeks of continuous employment. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling deadline

Eligibility:

Applicants must:

  • be private or not-for-profit sector employers that are incorporated or sole proprietorship
  • have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number,
  • be in good standing with Registry of Companies and Deeds,
  • have an office location/base in Newfoundland and Labrador,
  • adhere to the all relevant Terms and Conditions of the JobsNL program

Federal and provincial government departments, crown agencies and corporations, boards and commissions, municipalities and political parties are not eligible for funding

Participants must:

  • be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, who are residents of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • unemployed or underemployed (underemployed being someone who has been employed on average less than 20 hours per week or in a field not related to their training),
  • be recent post-secondary graduates who have not obtained employment in their field of study,
  • be international graduates of Memorial University of Newfoundland, or College of the North Atlantic with a Post-graduate Work Permit, and individuals with an Open Work Permit who are residents of the province,
  • not receive a federal or provincial pension, Workplace NL benefits or another benefit prescribed by the Minister,
  • not be an individual hired prior to the date an application is submitted.

Application Steps:

1

register and create an account in the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills LaMPSS payment system to apply on-line,

2

complete and submit an online application and wait to be notified by email after a decision is made on the application – within 20 business days of receipt of a complete application,

3

submit the Consent Form after hiring an individual. When approval is granted, an individual must be hired within 30 business days.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicant must submit:

  • an online application form,
  • the most recent annual or general meeting minutes and financial statement to demonstrate the organization has an executive structure, decision making process and financial accountability, if the employer is a not-for-profit organization.

Other Things to Note: 

Employment Standards

Employers who participate in the JobsNL Wage Subsidy Program are required to comply with all relevant employment standards laws and regulations. This includes minimum wage requirements, hours of work, vacation pay, statutory holidays, and other applicable standards. Employers must also provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees.

Reporting Requirements

Employers are required to submit regular reports to JobsNL regarding their participation in the Wage Subsidy Program. These reports must include information on the number of employees hired, the duration of employment, and the amount of wage subsidy received. Employers must also provide evidence of compliance with employment standards laws and regulations.

If an employer fails to comply with employment standards laws and regulations or fails to meet reporting requirements, JobsNL may terminate their participation in the Wage Subsidy Program and require repayment of any subsidy funds received.

Program Contact:

JobsNL Wage Subsidy

JobsNL Wage Subsidy Program Guidelines

Nova Scotia Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC)

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Amount:

$ 30,000,000.00

Type of Program:

Tax Credit

Description:

The Nova Scotia Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC) is a 15% refundable corporate income tax credit claimed by eligible corporations for capital equipment acquired for use in Nova Scotia on or after January 1, 2015. The capital equipment must be acquired as part of an "approved project".

The CITC is aligned, but not harmonized with, the federal government’s Atlantic Investment Tax Credit (AITC). 

Comments on Funding:

Funding is 15% of the capital cost of "qualified property" acquired in a taxation year, with a maximum tax credit of $30 million per "approved project."

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be a taxable Canadian corporation,
  • have a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia,
  • with certain exceptions, be corporations in the manufacturing, processing, fishing, farming, logging, storing grain and harvesting peat sectors,
  • have acquired capital equipment as part of an "approved project".

Application Steps:

1

Applicant must submit a mandatory Part A application and receive an "eligibility certificate" before an application for the tax credit can be made.

2

Applicant must submit a Part B application for a tax credit certificate once he obtained the eligibility certificate and no later than 18 months following the end of the taxation year in which the qualified property was acquired. Multiple Part B application for tax credit certificates can be made since projects can run over a period of up to 5 years.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicant must submit the following documentation in support of his Part A application form:

  • proof that the corporation is an "eligible corporation" and that its corporate registration is in good standing,
  • financial statements (projected financial statements for taxation years during project period and financial statements for the preceding taxation year),
  • a business plan for the project,
  • the T2 corporate tax return and notice of assessment if the project is underway and qualified property has already been acquired,
  • the loan agreements for all loans provided by public authorities,
  • any additional information deemed necessary by the Minister.

The applicant must submit the following documentation in support of his Part B application form:

  • proof of the capital cost of each qualified property,
  • a statement identifying the qualified property that was acquired in respect of and that matches the business plan submitted in support of the eligibility certificate,
  • a statement detailing any government assistance with respect to the qualified property,
  • a status report of the project and explanation for any deviation from the business plan submitted in support of the eligibility certificate,
  • the T2 corporate tax return and notice of assessment for the taxation year immediately preceding the taxation year for which a tax credit certificate is sought,
  • a draft copy of the corporation's Schedule 31 for the T2 corporate return in the taxation year for which the tax credit is being applied for,
  • a copy of the corporation's CITC eligibility certificate,
  • any additional information deemed necessary by the Minister.

Other Things to Note:

New Guidelines were published in March 2022.

Program Contact:

Capital Investment Tax Credit - Nova Scotia Department of Finance

CITC Guidelines.pdf

Nova Scotia Innovation Equity Tax Credit

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Amount:

$ 112,500

Type of Program:

Tax Credit

Description:

The Innovation Equity Tax Credit (Innovation ETC) is a non-refundable personal and corporate income tax credit available to eligible investors who invest in an approved corporation. The credit is meant to encourage investors to make equity capital investments in eligible Nova Scotia small and medium corporations engaged in innovative activities.

Comments on Funding:

The credit is equal to 35% of eligible investments made in approved corporations, up to $ 87,500.

It increases to 45% for eligible investments made in approved corporations in eligible classifications within the oceans technology and life sciences sectors, up to $ 112,500.
The maximum annual investment amount is $250,000.

For corporations, the credit is equal to 15% of the eligible investment. The minimum investment amount is $50,000 and the maximum annual investment amount is $500,000. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be a taxable Canadian corporation,
  • carry-on a business in Nova Scotia (and be registered in Nova Scotia),
  • be incorporated less than 10 years ago,
  • have its head office in Nova Scotia,
  • use all or substantially all of its assets in an active business,
  • have less than $15 million in assets (including assets of associated corporations),
  • have fewer than 100 employees (including employees of associated corporations),
  • pay at least 50% of its remuneration to employees or full-time contractors who are residents of Nova Scotia and report to or deal with a permanent establishment of the corporation in Nova Scotia,
  • have authorized capital consisting of at least 1 class of common voting shares,
  • be developing or implementing new technologies or applying existing technologies in a new way to create new products, services or processes.
  • not fall under any of the restrictions below:
  • its principal business includes: construction, developing, leasing or selling real property, hotel ownership or management, retail, including food and beverage services, oil or gas exploration, development and production, film, digital animation, or digital media, membership based recreational activities, financial or insurance services,
  • it is incorporated for a self-regulated professional practice,
  • it is a business for which public financial support would be contrary to public policy,
  • it has been issued a Film Industry Tax Credit, Digital Media Tax Credit, Digital Animation Tax Credit, or Capital Investment Tax Credit,
  • it has been approved for or received a payroll rebate or an innovation rebate from Nova Scotia Business incorporated,
  • it has raised (along with all associated corporations) more than $5 million through previous specified issues.

An eligible investor is an individual who is a resident of Nova Scotia and at least 19 years of age or a taxable Canadian corporation which is registered to carry on business in Nova Scotia, has its head office in Nova Scotia, and is not a qualifying venture capital fund under section 27B of the Income Tax Act (Nova Scotia).

Application Steps:

1

Applicant must apply for a Certificate of Registration before accepting investments from eligible investors by submitting the completed application packages via email to the Innovation ETC Administrator.

2

 Applicant must Issue eligible investments to eligible investors through a specified issue.

3

Applicant must apply for Tax Credit Certificates on behalf of all eligible investors who made eligible investments during the time the corporation was registered under the program. The application for Tax Credit Certificates must be received by the department within 6 months of the expiry date on the corporation's Certificate of Registration.

4

Applicant must submit an annual return to the Innovation ETC administrator for each of the 4 years after the expiry date on the certificate of registration.

Documentation Needed: 

To apply for the Certificate of Registration the applicant must submit:

  • the completed and signed application form,
  • the financial statements for the previous tax year, together with a review engagement report or auditor’s report, for the applicant corporation and for all corporations associated with the applicant corporation,
  • T2 Corporate Income Tax Return for the previous tax year of the applicant corporation and of all corporations associated with the applicant corporation (including all forms and schedules),
  • an up-to-date and notarized shareholder’s register,
  • the corporate chart/structure, if applicable,
  • the shareholder agreements, if any,
  • the debenture agreements, if any,
  • the proposed investor forms completed by all proposed eligible investors,
  • a brief business plan,
  • the Certificate of incorporation, constitution/articles of incorporation and memorandum of association.

To apply for the Tax Credit Certificates the applicant must submit:

  • the completed Application Form,
  • the up-to-date and notarized shareholder’s register,
  • an Investor Data Report in Excel,
  • copy of each share certificate or convertible debenture issued to each eligible investor showing the terms of the share/debenture,
  • a signed statement from an authorized officer of the corporation.
  • signed statements from each eligible investor,
  • proof of payment from each eligible investor displaying the amount invested and date of investment.

Other Things to Note:

It's important to note that the deadline for applying for the Nova Scotia Innovation Equity Tax Credit can vary depending on the specific circumstances of your investment and the corporation you invested in. Therefore, it's recommended that you seek professional advice or consult the official guidelines from the Nova Scotia Department of Finance for more detailed information.

Program Contact:

Nova Scotia Department of Finance - Innovation Equity Tax Credit

Innovation-ETC Guidelines.pdf

Canada.ca - NS Innovation Tax Credit

START Program Nova Scotia

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Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Subsidy

Description:

The START program offers financial incentives to businesses and organizations that have business locations and jobs in Nova Scotia to help them hire Nova Scotians who need work experience. There will be a focus on SMEs.

Benefits of the Nova Scotia Start Program:

The Start Program provides a range of career opportunities for unemployed individuals looking to enter the workforce. The program helps connect job seekers with employers who have vacancies that need to be filled.

One of the main benefits of the Start Program for job seekers is the letter of recommendation that they receive after applying. This letter helps market their skills and experience to potential employers, making it easier for them to find a job.

In addition to the letter of recommendation, the Start Program also provides job seekers with access to training and education opportunities. By participating in these programs, job seekers can improve their skills and increase their chances of finding employment in their desired field.

Employers who participate in the Start Program also benefit from the program’s incentives. These incentives include wage subsidies and other types of funding that can help offset the cost of hiring an unemployed Nova Scotian. By participating in the program, employers can find qualified candidates for their job vacancies and receive financial support to help with the cost of training and development.

Comments on Funding:

Funding is up to a maximum of $25,000 per hire, and at ENS’ discretion.
Incentives will vary depending on the type of employment offered and the skill level of the employee. Incentives can be used to pay for individual’s wages, MERC, training costs or other related costs associated with hiring of a new employee.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be a business, organization (Not-for-profit and Social Enterprises), with a focus on SMEs,
  • be located in Nova Scotia,
  • have its employees working in the province.

The individual he hires must be:

  • Nova Scotia resident,
  • unemployed and actively seeking full time or increasing employment,
  • Canadian citizens or permanent residents legally entitled to work in Canada OR be an international graduate (additional criteria may apply).

Application Steps:

1

Applicant must register in the online Labor Market Programs Support System (LaMPSS),

2

Applicant must complete the application form and submit it electronically.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicants must attach a Job Description as supporting documentation.

Program Contact:

START program: hiring incentive

START-Program-Guidelines.pdf