News release

Nova Scotia Business Registry Launched

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Nova Scotia Business Registry Launched


Business people gathered in Halifax today to mark the official launch of the Nova Scotia Business Registry (NSBR). They can now register a business, apply and pay for licences, or change company information with the provincial and federal resources, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NSBR is the first online service of its type in Canada.

"The NSBR is providing government services at the speed of business," said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "Over 60,000 Nova Scotia businesses now have web-based access to over 30 business licences and permits."

The project is a result of a partnership between Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.

"Together, we're giving businesses the freedom to conduct business with government on their own time through the Internet," said Mr. MacIsaac.

For the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, the partnership provides a unique opportunity to make government services more accessible to the business community.

"The NSBR simplifies the registration process by making it easier for businesses to do business with both levels of government," said Robert Russell, assistant commissioner for Canada Customs and Revenue Agency in the Atlantic region. "Our partnership with the province of Nova Scotia is an important step in the government's online initiative. By using the Internet in innovative ways and working with federal and provincial partners we are making service improvements for Canadians."

"We believe the Nova Scotia Business Registry will be the first choice for most businesses because it is a fast and secure way to get what businesses need from provincial and federal governments," said Mr. MacIsaac. "The business community in Nova Scotia has driven the creation of the NSBR by calling for easier and more efficient access to government and less red tape. In response, the partners built the NSBR. This solution forms a strong foundation for future developments with more government departments and agencies."

David Stuewe, chief executive officer of the Workers' Compensation Board, agrees.

"The NSBR initiative just makes sense," he said. "We share the same customers, and it isn't efficient to require them to provide the same business information to each level of government and then again to each government department or agency. We know there is only one taxpayer. The NSBR makes doing business with government more cost-effective for everyone."

Business people are already enthusiastic about the new system.

"This new resource means we have the freedom to do business with government on our time," said Steven and Sandra Coates, owners and operators of Harrietsfield Irving. "No more running around. It's easy to use, it saves time and we can deal with different levels of government from a single place -- our office or home."

"Nova Scotia has taken the lead in implementing e-government infrastructure," said Mr. MacIsaac. During development, the program received national awards and has been seen as a model for other provinces in Canada and around the world.

"We intend to keep expanding the NSBR services to address evolving business needs," he said. "Through projects like this, the province is creating a more positive business environment and developing more flexible and effective ways of doing business with government."

For more information about the Nova Scotia Business Registry and find out how to subscribe and get online, call 902-424-5200 (metro Halifax) or toll-free 1-800-670-4357, or visit the Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr .