Why do business in Halifax?

With its strategic location, excellent business infrastructure, key transportation network, and varied industry, the Halifax region is a great place to start or relocate a business.
Prosperity is evidenced across the Halifax region in the growth of science, industry, and education, and in a traditional way of life that fosters progress while maintaining a quality of life that is second-to-none. The well-educated labour force, quality of life, and world-class business parks enable companies to realize significant advantages.

Strategic location

Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia and the economic centre for the east coast of Canada. With a population of over 370,000, it is the largest city east of Québec and north of Boston. Halifax is experiencing consistent growth, with annual population increases of 1%. The Conference Board of Canada predicts the population of Halifax will reach 450,000 by the year 2020. See the Greater Halifax Partnership for more details on Halifax’s growth.

Key transportation network

Halifax offers a dynamic business community set in a strategic location halfway between Europe and the west coast of North America. It’s well connected to the world through developed transportation networks.

By sea

The Port of Halifax is one of the world's leading ports, known for its location, facilities, services and efficient connection to locations around the world. 

By rail

Halifax is the eastern terminus for the Canadian National Railway domestic and international service through Eastern Canada and the Northeastern United States.

By air

Halifax Stanfield International Airport is Atlantic Canada’s gateway to the world. It is the region’s principal full-service airport providing passengers and cargo clients with access to markets across Canada, the United States, and Europe, and the only airport in Atlantic Canada to offer U.S. pre-clearance by onsite U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. The airport sees more than 3.2 million passengers each year and is an internationally recognized leader in customer service, having received three first-place awards in the AETRA Airport Customer Satisfaction Survey two years in a row.