CCI's 2027 Pre-Budget Recommendations for the Nova Scotia Government

Nova Scotia’s strengths in oceans, defence, bioscience, agriculture and cybersecurity give its companies opportunities to compete around the world. Budget 2027 can help more of those businesses grow from a strong provincial base, keeping ownership, expertise and economic value in Nova Scotia.

That starts with creating opportunities for homegrown technology to reach customers. Public procurement can help companies validate their products and build a track record that supports further sales. A provincial artificial intelligence (AI) strategy would complement that work by encouraging responsible adoption and connecting local firms with opportunities in energy, infrastructure, health and resource projects.

Helping companies scale also requires government to understand the obstacles they face. Regular engagement with chief executive officers (CEOs) would provide a direct channel to address barriers involving capital, talent and market access. A provincial intellectual property (IP) strategy, alongside a regional Atlantic IP agency, would help businesses protect their ideas and retain more of the returns from commercialization.

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is putting forward four recommendations for Budget 2027 to turn Nova Scotia’s research, industrial and technological strengths into lasting provincial prosperity:

1. Scale Canadian Technology Companies Through Innovation Procurement.
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2. Capture AI productivity and Commercialization opportunities through a comprehensive provincial AI strategy.
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3. Remove barriers to scale for Nova Scotia innovators through a Premier’s CEO Roundtable.
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4. Retain more commercialization value through a provincial IP strategy and an Atlantic IP agency.

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About the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI)

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is Canada’s business council for the 21st century economy. We are a collective of over 175 of Canada’s fastest-growing and most ambitious companies, and the founders, CEOs, and executives behind them, working together to improve the business conditions that help more homegrown companies scale, compete globally, and drive long-term prosperity. Learn more at canadianinnovators.org.