The service sector is the great intangible driver of the Nova Scotia economy. It accounts for close to 80% of total employment, 20% of international exports and 7% of GDP. The value of service exports is of the same order as three of Nova Scotia’s foundation sectors – energy, fisheries and wood products.

It is a sector which intersects with many others. Nova Scotia has particular expertise in architecture, construction, engineering, banking, insurance, geomatics, education and training, energy and environmental services, entertainment, health care, information and telecommunications, management consulting, legal and other business services.

The common link among these is knowledge-intensity. Nova Scotia’s workforce is sustained by an exceptional education system with 11 degree-granting universities and 13 community college campuses. Close collaboration among industry, government and educational institutions has led to many unique staffing solutions for businesses.

Education is also a significant export, both in the delivery of training programs and services abroad and in recruiting international students to attend Nova Scotia’s educational institutions.

Many Nova Scotia firms are making significant contributions through projects supported by various International Financial Institutions (IFIs) around the world.

Nova Scotia is a location of choice for customer care and business process outsourcing (BPO) industries. About 19,000 are currently employed in over 50 Nova Scotia call centres.

Halifax, Nova Scotia is the growing financial hub of Atlantic Canada, with over 1,200 financial services firms and 14,000 employees. Both the Royal Bank of Canada and the Bank of Nova Scotia trace their origins to the province. The Bank of Nova Scotia is now Canada’s largest international bank.

Trade Team Nova Scotia Representative: Nova Scotia Business Inc. 

Industry Association: EduNova

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