Nova Scotia Election 2024

Retail is the largest private sector employer in Nova Scotia.

Find out why #RetailMatters to Nova Scotians.

12%

of Nova Scotia’s workforce works in Retail. That’s over 65,000 people

4,023

storefronts in Nova Scotia

60%

of retailers are small businesses (less than 10 employees)

$3 Billion

in total annual compensation paid to retail workers

$21.81/hr

Nova Scotia’s average hourly earnings for retail employees (excluding overtime)

$21 Billion

in annual Retail Sales ($13 Billion in Core Retail Sales)

Source: Statistics Canada 2024 / Nova Scotia Department of Finance

Why Nova Scotia Retail Matters

When your local candidates knock on your door or you meet them at an event, take time to share your experiences and the pride you have for Nova Scotia’s retail industry. 

Be sure to also let candidates know that you are part of Nova Scotia’s largest private employment sector.  Retail has a significant impact on the success of several other industries such as neighbouring restaurants, as well as jobs in transportation, construction, property management, information technology and financial services.

Here are some ideas that you can share with your candidates while spreading the word about retail:

  • More than one in every ten jobs in Nova Scotia is in retail.
  • 60% of all retailers are small businesses (less than 10 employees).
  • Retail in Nova Scotia pays $3 billion in total annual compensation.
  • Brick-and-mortar retail remains the foundation of healthy main streets and malls.

Every election provides the electorate with the ability to shape their government and help to ensure that future members of the Legislative Assembly understand the role merchants play in Nova Scotian’s lives and the economy.

Where the Parties Stand

Retail Council of Canada sent a questionnaire to the leading political parties addressing the key issues affecting retail in the province. Responses will be listed in order of the current number of seats held.

Retail Survey Questions

If elected…

  1. Will your party work with Retail Council of Canada to develop a retail strategy to ensure the industry remains a viable and essential element of the province’s economy?
  2. As a specific part of a retail strategy, will your party commit to work together with all levels of government to plan and implement timely solutions to the climate change challenges that could severely impact the retail supply chain in Nova Scotia and across the Atlantic region?
  3. Will your party support RCC’s initiatives with the Department of Justice and join other key stakeholders at the table to ensure a coordinated response to retail safety and crime?
  4. Will your party commit to making no additional changes to sick leave in the province?
  5. Will your government take steps towards the liberalization of alcohol sales in Nova Scotia by regulating the sale of beer, wine and ready to drink beverage products in retail stores?
  6. Is your party prepared to maintain the current model of determining annual minimum wage adjustments through a formula that is linked to CPI?              
  7. Will your party pledge to not raise corporate taxes (small and large businesses) or the provincial portion of the HST during your mandate so as to maintain Nova Scotia’s competitive tax position within Atlantic Canada?
  8. Will your party commit to following the lead of PEI and lower the small business tax rate to 1%?
  9. Will your party commit to lowering the HST during its mandate?
  10. Will your government take action to harmonize policies related to solid waste regulations across Atlantic Canada?

Nova Scotia Key Retail Issues

Develop retail sector strategy

Retailers are resilient and despite unprecedented challenges brought on by supply chain issues, inflation and increased competition from e-commerce entities, Nova Scotia’s retailers continue to fight to remain a viable and essential element of the province’s economy.

Despite these challenges, the retail sector provides an over $21 billion boost to the provincial economy, and over 65,000 jobs. Nova Scotia retailers continue to face supply chain challenges, cumulative costs and competitive pressures. In the modern age of retail, there is no certainty of continued success as national, online, and offshore channels threaten ‘brick-and-mortar’ Nova Scotia stores.

Recommendation:

  • Work with Retail Council of Canada to develop a proper retail recovery strategy, commensurate with the size of the retail industry. While other industries have been the focus of sector strategies and incentives, the retail industry has long been overlooked. Inflation challenges continue to create increased pressure on the province’s retail sector.  RCC is calling on the government to be a collaborative partner in finding solutions.

Work with all levels of government to assist with climate change impacts

The increase in dramatic weather events across Atlantic Canada is evidence that governments need action plans to mitigate the impact of climate change on critical infrastructure in the transportation sector. Most products sold in retail stores across Atlantic Canada arrive via truck and to a lesser extent, via rail.  Many of the trucks and rail cars delivering retail product to Atlantic Canadian stores must travel through parts of Nova Scotia, in order to reach their destination.  As Nova Scotia’s highways and rail systems are a vital part of the Atlantic Canada supply chain, the Nova Scotia government is aware of the climate risks to areas like the Isthmus of Chignecto (connecting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick).  While local, provincial and federal governments have worked together to complete a feasibility study of the climate risks to the Isthmus of Chignecto, governments appear to be at an impasse in ongoing debates over jurisdiction and the proper path forward.  RCC appreciates the recent announcement from the current provincial government that it will take unilateral action to begin the process of addressing this important infrastructure challenge.  Nevertheless, this is only a first step in what must be a multi-step solution.  While jurisdictional arguments continue between governments, each passing year seemingly increases the risk of storm surge flooding the Isthmus of Chignecto and rendering the Trans-Canada Highway and the CN Rail line impassable.  Given that this is the only viable land transportation route between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, lack of government action will have a significant impact on the economies of each Atlantic Province.

Recommendation:

Given the extensive amount of retail goods which pass daily through the Isthmus of Chignecto, all levels of government need to work together to plan and implement timely solutions to the climate change challenges that could severely impact the retail supply chain.


Retail Safety and Crime

Retail employees and their customers are on the front line of increasing threats to their safety as a result of both organized retail crime as well as prolific and often violent offenders who use a range of dangerous weapons and tactics.  This is in addition to retail employees having to manage complex interactions with those dealing with mental health issues and drug-induced behaviours.  RCC has begun the execution of a coordinated strategy to address these issues in collaboration with police agencies, retailers, community groups and other key stakeholders. 

Recommendation:

  • Commit to being an active and contributing partner in collaborative discussions led by RCC and involving police agencies, prosecution, retailers and other important stakeholders.

No additional changes to sick leave

For years, Nova Scotia employees have been protected from discriminatory action if they are absent from work due to their own illness or injury or because of the illness or injury of a family member.  In addition, many RCC members have generous paid and unpaid sick leave programs for their workers.  However, not all businesses are financially able to offer unpaid sick leave at the levels that will be implemented in 2025 in Nova Scotia.  In addition, many businesses have expressed concern over the push from some stakeholders for the provincial government to grant worker access to paid sick leave. 

Nova Scotia’s new unpaid sick leave provisions will be harmonized with federally regulated industries like Canada’s banks.  These federally regulated entities have virtually nothing in common with a small or mid-sized retailer that is challenged by ever-changing government mandates while trying to make payroll. 

Recommendation:

  • No additional changes to sick leave provisions in the province.

Allow the sale of beer, wine and ready to drink products in retail stores

 The provincial government should take steps towards the liberalization of alcohol sales in the province.  RCC appreciates the social challenges that government would face in taking such steps thus, retailers understand that such change could take time.  However, provinces like New Brunswick have demonstrated that a step-by-step approach towards the liberalization of alcohol sales can benefit producers and retailers while avoiding public misconceptions surrounding such actions.  New Brunswick’s step-by-step approach in allowing the sale of beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages in retail stores has not had a negative impact on government jobs or government coffers.  In fact, the approach has helped local producers. 

Recommendation:

  • Retailers continue to demonstrate their ability to properly manage the business and social aspects involved in selling heavily regulated products (on behalf of Liquor Corporations) in a responsible and successful manner.  Nova Scotia retailers could help the government achieve levels of success in the sale of beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages, similar to those seen in other provinces, like New Brunswick.  There are craft brewers and vintners across Nova Scotia who could benefit from the opportunity to sell their product in retail stores.  The governing party could provide this opportunity through a responsible, step-by-step approach that benefits business and ultimately leads to provincewide sales of beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverage products in retail stores. 

Maintain predictable minimum wage

Nova Scotia has established a predictable model for calculating annual minimum wage adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. The approach helps ensure politics are removed from the process, and that minimum wage increases are balanced fairly between the interests of employees and employers. Nova Scotia’s model also mandates a review, every year to ensure that the province’s wage remains competitive within the country.  Dramatic and rapid increases in the base wage can harm opportunities for those with the least experience, especially youth.

Recommendation:

  • Maintain the current CPI linked approach to minimum wage adjustments so as to ensure a transparent, predictable formula and adequate lead time for budget planning.

Maintain the province’s competitive tax position

Nova Scotia’s corporate tax rates (14% for large businesses and 2.5% for small businesses) are generally competitive within Atlantic Canada. The province’s Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is equal to that in the other Atlantic provinces. These tax decisions can help entice businesses to the province. 

Recommendation:

  • Commit to not raising the corporate tax rate or the provincial portion of the HST during your mandate.

Lower the small business tax rate

Despite Nova Scotia’s generally competitive tax rates within the Atlantic region, the province of Prince Edward Island has taken steps in recent years to lower its small business tax rate to 1%.  Nova Scotia’s small retailers struggle overall with the costs of doing business in this province while trying to compete with retailers all over the world.        

Recommendation:

  • Help small businesses in Nova Scotia by taking steps to lower the small business tax rate to 1%. 

Lower the provincial portion of the HST

Despite the fact that the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is the same in each of the four Atlantic Provinces, multiple parties in Nova Scotia have promised that if elected, they would lower the provincial portion of the HST.  Given the high cost, high tax environment in Atlantic Canada, a lower HST could provide an advantage to Nova Scotia businesses within the Atlantic region.

Recommendation:

  • Commit to lowering the HST so as to incentivize shoppers to spend more money at retail stores throughout Nova Scotia. 

Harmonize Environmental Stewardship Programs

Given the small size of each Atlantic Province, it is imperative for each provincial government within the Atlantic Region to work together and harmonize initiatives with proven best practices from across Atlantic Canada.  It is particularly imperative for such harmonization to occur with policies related to solid waste regulations.  A regionally harmonized approach avoids public confusion, reduces red tape and makes it easier for businesses to meet environmental mandates throughout the Atlantic region without creating needless administrative challenges.

Recommendation:

  • As Nova Scotia continues to develop policies related to solid waste regulations and stewardship programs, it should ensure that these policies are harmonized with existing best practices within neighbouring Atlantic Provinces.  At the least, Nova Scotia should ensure that its actions in this regard are harmonized with existing best practices from across the country.

Get Involved

Use these tools to contact your local candidates and make your voice heard.

1. Find your candidates

Use the Elections Nova Scotia tool to find candidates and their contact info for your electoral district.

Learn about your local candidates by visiting the party websites:

2. Print your sign

Show your pride in retail by posting a photo of your retail staff holding a #RetailMatters sign or a photo of your store.

Print #RetailMatters Sign

3. Tell candidates #RetailMatters

Use these links to send your staff photos or customized tweets to political parties.

RCC’s pre-written letter:

You may also wish to send your candidate a letter. See our pre-written letter.

Contributing to political parties – what you need to know

Contributing to a campaign can be an effective way to build relationships with candidates in your riding.

Make sure that you understand the rules before lending your support to a provincial political party and its campaign.  Here is a quick summary:

Who can contribute?

Only individuals normally residing in Nova Scotia.

What is the contribution limit?

The maximum contribution by any individual is $5000 total in a calendar year per political party. This includes both monetary and non-monetary contributions.

How can a contribution be made?

Only individuals can contribute to a candidate, an electoral district association or a registered political party (a spouse can contribute on behalf of their partner). 

Who can receive contributions?

Contributions must be made through the Official Agent of a nominated candidate, an electoral district association or a registered political party.  The Official Agent must be a resident of Nova Scotia and must keep a complete record of each contribution including the name of the recipient.  Tax receipts for contributions can only be issued by the Official Agent.

What are the restrictions?

An Official Agent cannot accept more than $100 in cash from any contributor in a calendar year. 

Individuals cannot contribute more than $5000 (see above) and donations are prohibited from organizations (corporations, partnerships, trade unions) or anonymous donors. An individual is exempt from reporting up to $50 in donations in kind in a calendar year but the Official Agent must track all donations in kind contributions to ensure an individual does not exceed their limit.

Sections 235-258 of the Election’s Act provide additional information regarding monetary and non-monetary contributions to political campaigns.  More information can be found at: https://electionsnovascotia.ca/faq

Contact Us

Jim CormierFor questions or to find out more, contact Jim Cormier, Director, Government Relations (Atlantic) jcormier@retailcouncil.org or 902-818-7738.