• Ottawa ‘not responsible’ for regulating AI data centre electricity use: minister

  Source: Global News Politics
  Date: 2026-10-22 17:21:43.0
  Tags: [National, Nova Scotia, Technology, Energy, Infrastructure]

  Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon stated before the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology that the federal government is not responsible for regulating electricity usage by AI data centres, noting that power regulation falls under provincial jurisdiction. Solomon revealed that the federal government has received over 160 proposals for data centre developments and signed memorandums of understanding with approximately four companies. The discussion highlighted a specific $10-billion AI data centre project in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia, being developed by EverWind Fuels with a 20-year lease signed by U.S. AI firm Anthropic, which is slated to draw 95 megawatts in its first phase and expand to 420 megawatts by mid-2028.

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• Market diversification added to focus of renewed Atlantic Fisheries Fund

  Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-15 20:43:09.0
  Tags: [National, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Trade, Fisheries, Industry, Finance]

  The federal government and the Atlantic provincial governments are replenishing the Atlantic Fisheries Fund with more than $300 million over the next five years, funded 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially, in response to ongoing trade disputes and tariffs with the U.S. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced that market diversification has been added as a new funding pillar alongside innovation, infrastructure, and science partnerships to assist harvesters and processors such as Cooke Inc., the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association, Scotia Harvest, and Icewater Seafoods in entering new international markets. Over the past nine years, the fund has previously distributed $370 million to more than 1,300 projects across Atlantic Canada.

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• ‘A show of confidence’: Ottawa invests $100M in Nova Scotia offshore wind

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-15 20:27:39.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, National, Energy, Environment, Infrastructure, Resources]

  The federal government, represented by Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson and Minister of Justice Sean Fraser, announced a $100 million investment to advance the Wind West offshore wind development project in Nova Scotia alongside Premier Tim Houston. The funding will support collecting vital wind, ocean, and seafloor data—with $5 million allocated for wind and ocean measurement tools and nearly $3 million for transmission modelling and marine surveys. The initiative is tied to the Atlantic Energy Strategy, referred to the federal Major Projects Office in September 2025, and aims to support Nova Scotia's goal of licensing up to five gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, with future potential phases generating up to 60 gigawatts.

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• Atlantic Fisheries Fund Renewed, Applications Being Accepted

  Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
  Date: 2026-10-15 17:40:13.0
  Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, National, Fisheries, Economy, Industry]

  The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Canada, and the provincial governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island have jointly renewed the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF) with an investment of more than $300 million. The fund supports fishing and aquaculture projects across the Atlantic region to drive innovation, enhance market development, and ensure industry sustainability. The renewed program operates under four distinct pillars: market diversification, innovation, infrastructure, and science partnerships, with applications currently being accepted by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and partner jurisdictions. This funding launch follows a record-breaking performance in 2025 where Newfoundland and Labrador's fisheries and aquaculture sector generated $2.11 billion in market value.

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• Fisheries sector fund gets $300 million extension from Ottawa, Atlantic provinces

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-15 17:07:20.0
  Tags: [National, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Fisheries, Economy, Trade]

  Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced a five-year, $300 million extension of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund, aimed at supporting the fish and seafood sector across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The federal government is contributing 60 percent of the funding, with the four Atlantic provincial governments providing the remainder. Originally introduced in 2017, the renewed fund will invest in industry research, infrastructure, advertising, industry branding, and market research to help harvesters and growers expand global markets and improve resilience against international trade disruptions.

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• Atlantic Canadian businesses can now apply for nearly $40M in AI funding

  Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-14 18:00:00.0
  Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, National, Technology, Economy, Industry, Finance]

  The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has launched a federal funding program offering nearly $40 million for small and medium-sized businesses pursuing large-scale artificial intelligence projects costing at least $1 million. The funding supports two primary tracks: adopting AI into internal business operations, such as proposal development tools utilized by Cabco Technologies, or developing new AI solutions to bring to market. Applications for the program remain open until November 20. The initiative aims to address a regional adoption gap highlighted by the Atlantic Economic Panel, which reported that approximately 15 per cent of Atlantic Canadian businesses with 10 or more employees use AI, compared to 20 per cent nationally.

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• Provinces call on Ottawa to expand mining credit

  Source: Global News Politics
  Date: 2026-10-10 12:17:12.0
  Tags: [National, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Taxation, Economy, Resources, Mining, Finance]

  Nearly half of Canada's provinces and territories—specifically Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and Yukon—are urging the federal Liberal government to fulfill its 2025 election promise to expand the mineral exploration tax credit to include engineering and feasibility study costs. The Association for Mineral Exploration and the Nunavut and N.W.T. Chamber of Mines argue this measure is crucial to help junior mining companies navigate the late-stage 'valley of death' financing gap. An Ernst & Young report commissioned by the association indicates that covering feasibility and economic viability studies could generate between 14,000 and 34,000 jobs and add $5.2 billion to $12.2 billion in GDP over 10 years. While Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne's office highlighted recent federal initiatives such as the Productivity Mega Deduction and the Critical Mineral Exploration Tax Credit, federal expenses under the Canadian exploration expenses framework still exclude economic assessments and feasibility studies.

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• Top court sets sentencing framework for cases involving Indigenous offenders, victims

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-10-09 15:39:50.0
  Tags: [National, Nova Scotia, Justice, Indigenous]

  In a 5-4 judgment, the Supreme Court of Canada established a new sentencing framework for cases where an Indigenous offender commits a crime against an Indigenous intimate partner, mandating that judges harmonize principles regarding both the over-imprisonment of Indigenous offenders and the vulnerability of Indigenous women and girls to violence. The ruling was delivered in the case of a Mi'kmaw man sentenced to five years for aggravated assault in Nova Scotia, which the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal reduced to three years. The Supreme Court upheld the three-year sentence, ruling that the original sentencing judge failed to properly account for the offender's severe mental health challenges and the recommendations of a sentencing circle.

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• Emera inks Canadian Utilities merger deal with ATCO to create $72B energy ‘powerhouse’

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-06 18:16:49.0
  Tags: [National, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Energy, Infrastructure, Economy]

  Halifax-based Emera Inc. and ATCO subsidiary Canadian Utilities Ltd. have agreed to an all-stock merger to create a $72 billion energy utility powerhouse, marking what is expected to be the largest merger in Canadian history between two domestic companies. Under the agreement, existing Emera shareholders will own approximately 60 percent of the combined utility, while former ATCO and Canadian Utilities shareholders will own roughly 40 percent. The combined entity will maintain corporate and operational headquarters in Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton, and Perth, Australia, while ATCO's industrial services, housing, and defence businesses will be spun out into a separate public company led by ATCO CEO Nancy Southern.

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• Minimum wage hikes set to begin across 5 provinces

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-01 12:34:05.0
  Tags: [National, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Labour, Economy, Affordability]

  Minimum wage increases ranging from 25 to 40 cents take effect in Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, bringing their respective rates to $17.95, $17.30, $17.00, $16.40, and $15.70 per hour. Ontario has tied its adjustment directly to the rising cost of living. With these changes, Alberta maintains the lowest minimum wage in the country at $15.00 an hour, having not increased it since 2019, while Nunavut leads the country at just over $20.00 an hour following an increase at the beginning of September.

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• Halifax gets nearly $2M in federal funding to prevent gun, gang violence

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-29 19:46:50.0
  Tags: [National, Nova Scotia, Municipal, Public Safety, Social Services]

  Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced up to $1.9 million in federal funding for the Halifax Regional Municipality through the Build Safer Communities Fund to prevent gun and gang violence. The initiative is part of a broader $157.5-million national commitment over three years, intended to support community projects addressing the underlying social conditions leading youth to crime. Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore and municipal public safety advisor Amy Siciliano noted that the funding will expand crisis de-escalation supports, improve spaces for youth mentorship, and provide educational, mental health, and anti-trafficking resources. The funding allocation is based on community crime severity data, which showed nine homicides and 30 shootings in the municipality in 2025.

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• Bank of Canada governor says Atlantic Canada is less exposed to U.S. tariffs

  Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-21 21:47:30.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, National, Economy, Trade, Energy, Industry]

  Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem stated during a speech in Halifax that Atlantic Canada is less exposed to U.S. tariffs than provinces like Ontario and Quebec, though regional residents face heavier burdens from inflation and rising oil prices used for home heating. Macklem noted that Nova Scotia's unemployment rate remains below the national average and pre-pandemic levels, while the region experiences positive economic investments in the shipbuilding, defence, and energy sectors. However, the governor emphasized that achieving sustained economic transformation will require multi-year commitments and investment plans from both governments and businesses.

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• Diana Fox Carney appointed as Canada's ocean envoy, chair of Our Ocean Conference

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-09-16 21:20:08.0
  Tags: [National, Nova Scotia, Environment, Fisheries, Governance]

  Diana Fox Carney has been appointed as Canada's ocean envoy and chair of the 12th annual Our Ocean Conference, which is scheduled to take place in Halifax in 2027. In her unpaid role, announced by Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson, Fox Carney will coordinate efforts connecting ocean conservation, climate action, Indigenous leadership, economic resilience, and maritime security. The appointment supports Ottawa's target to protect 30 per cent of Canada's marine and coastal areas by 2030.

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• From pipelines, to railways and AI: Ottawa pitches 167 projects ahead of Carney's investment summit

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-09-10 21:20:00.0
  Tags: [National, Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Infrastructure, Energy, Transportation, Economy, Technology]

  The federal government has released a 66-page prospectus outlining 167 investment projects across eight sectors ahead of the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto, co-hosted by Prime Minister Mark Carney alongside the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Public Sector Pension Investment Board to attract $1 trillion in international capital. Notable infrastructure and energy proposals featured in the document include a $57 billion US expansion of the Port of Churchill, a $44 billion Nova Scotia Wind West offshore wind project, a $35 billion West Coast Oil Pipeline connecting Alberta crude to British Columbia, a $28.5 billion Ksi Lisims LNG terminal project on the B.C. coast, a $10.9 billion Calgary-to-Edmonton high-speed passenger rail line, a $2.1 billion US South Bow Prairie Connector pipeline expansion, and a $14.5 billion data centre near Medicine Hat, Alberta. The pitch aims to diversify Canada's trade and energy export markets amid escalating U.S.-Canada trade tensions while highlighting assets ranging from fully permitted, shovel-ready initiatives to preliminary-stage critical mineral developments.

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• N.B. and N.S. gaming Crown corps fined for lax money laundering reports

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-03 15:54:15.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, National, Public Safety, Finance, Governance]

  The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (Fintrac) has fined the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation nearly $400,000 and the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation almost $232,000 for failing to submit suspicious transaction reports regarding potential money laundering or terrorist activity financing. Fintrac's acting director and CEO Stéphane Sirard noted that both organizations failed in their legal obligations under federal anti-money laundering frameworks. Additionally, the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation was cited for failing to develop up-to-date written compliance policies and failing to document the specific risks of money laundering or terrorist activity financing offenses.

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• North Atlantic right whale population appears to be stabilizing after years of decline: DFO

  Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-03 14:18:45.0
  Tags: [National, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Environment, Fisheries]

  Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) reported that the North Atlantic right whale population has stabilized at approximately 384 whales, including 70 breeding females, following a strong calving year that produced 23 calves. Officials emphasized that strict conservation measures—such as temporary 15-day fishing area closures spanning upwards of 2,000 square kilometres upon a whale detection in the Gulf of St. Lawrence—remain essential to protect the species from threats like gear entanglement. DFO continues to deploy acoustic technology and marine surveillance programs, noting that maintaining sustainable seafood certifications and preventing mortalities requires ongoing collaboration with fish harvesters.

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• Ottawa commits millions to shield Nova Scotia companies from U.S. tariff pain

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-02 17:32:12.0
  Tags: [National, Nova Scotia, Economy, Trade, Industry]

  The federal government is allocating $14.1 million through Ottawa’s $1.5-billion Regional Tariff Response Initiative—part of a broader $7.5-billion federal package—to assist Nova Scotia companies facing U.S. tariffs. Justice Minister and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Minister Sean Fraser announced that the initial package provides grants to 27 businesses and organizations. This includes more than $400,000 awarded to Ace Machining Ltd. to acquire an automated computer numerical control (CNC) milling station designed to improve productivity and competitiveness. These federal funds are deployed to shield domestic firms following U.S. tariffs of 50 per cent imposed on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian goods, ahead of reciprocal Canadian tariffs on American products.

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• Committee releases final report into 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-08-31 20:13:52.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, National, Public Safety, Justice, Governance]

  The Progress Monitoring Committee released its third and final annual report monitoring the 130 recommendations stemming from the 2023 public inquiry into the April 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting. Chaired by Myra Freeman, the independent committee noted that approximately 40 recommendations remain to be fully addressed, with ongoing responsibility now transitioning to the governments of Nova Scotia and Canada, alongside the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The 72-page final report highlights progress in regulatory oversight, policing reforms, and gender-based violence prevention, while acknowledging that critical work remains regarding mental health supports and systemic cultural shifts.

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• Canadian seafood industry 'relieved' with removal of their products from retaliatory tariff list

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-08-27 13:22:04.0
  Tags: [National, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Trade, Economy, Fisheries]

  Finance Canada removed fish and seafood products, including lobster and crab, from its retaliatory tariff list just a day after initially imposing counter-measures on $27.6 billion worth of U.S. goods. The initial list would have subjected U.S. seafood imports to a 25 per cent tariff, which industry groups like the Lobster Processors Association and the New Brunswick Crab Processors Association warned would devastate integrated cross-border processing operations. To maintain a dollar-for-dollar and rate-for-rate response, the Ministry of Finance added copper wire, charcoal, plaster sheets, and tiles to the tariff list at a 50 per cent rate, taking effect on September 8.

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