Atlantic Canada

A Profitable Place to Do Business

Located on the east coast of Canada , Atlantic Canada is comprised of four provinces:

• New Brunswick (NB)
• Newfoundland and Labrador (NL)
• Nova Scotia (NS)
• Prince Edward Island (PE)

Specialised Workforce

The region also boasts a skilled and reliable workforce—with more post-secondary graduates per capita than the US or elsewhere in Canada, and absenteeism and turnover rates that are among the lowest in North America.

• 17 world-class universities, dozens of state-of-the-art research facilities and a network of colleges and other post-secondary training institutions
• Post-secondary graduate rates, per capita, higher than the US or rest of Canada — Atlantic universities award 17,000 degrees every year, including 3,500 graduate and professional degrees
• Public spending on vocational training is 38% greater than elsewhere in Canada
• Lowest employee turnover and absentee rates in North America — employees stay with employers 100% longer than their American counterparts

Export Markets

Atlantic Canada is well situated for international trade and commerce with easy access to major markets in the U.S. and Europe .

• Within 1-day driving distance of more than 1/3 of the entire population of North America
• Closest ports to Europe in North America — 2 days faster than anywhere else on the continent

Key Advantages

• Trans-Atlantic fibre-optic cable network, directly connected to Atlantic Canada , connecting North American and European telecommunications
• Bilingual population (English & French) , a major customer contact centre location
• Exceptionally high quality of life
• Financial incentives to encourage foreign investment in all four Atlantic provinces

Major Cities

• Cape Breton Island (NS)
• Charlottetown (PE)
• Fredericton (NB)
• Halifax (NS)
• Moncton (NB)
• Saint John (NB)
• St. John’s (NL)

Priority Economic Sectors in Atlantic Canada

Regional Clusters

Atlantic Canada is fast becoming a strong leader within the technological sectors:

• Nearshoring
• Aerospace and Defence
• Biotechnology and Life Sciences
• Ocean Technologies

International Industry Leaders Call Atlantic Canada Home

Publications

• New Brunswick Provincial Profile (PDF, 148.09 KB)
• Newfoundland Provincial Profile (PDF, 134.67 KB)
• Nova Scotia Provincial Profile (PDF, 132.57 KB)
• Prince Edward Island Provincial Profile (PDF, 144.42 KB)
• Help Viewing Alternate Formats

For More Information

• Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
• Atlantic Canada: A Profitable Place to do Business
• Government of New Brunswick
• Government of Nova Scotia
• Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Government of Prince Edward Island
• Northeast Avalon - Newfoundland and Labrador

ACOA Contacts