Information Communications Technology
Globally competitive ICT in Nova Scotia
We know what makes the difference here is we work together in a partnership. We work with government, we work with schools, and we work with NSBI.
- Chris MacIntosh, IBM
Tech in Nova Scotia
A strong workforce
Nova Scotia's Information Communications Technology (ICT) industry is focused on producing innovative products and services in:
- Interactive media
- IT services
- Transatlantic telecommunications
- Enterprise solutions
- E-health applications
- Data analytics
- Niche-orientated software products and solutions
Specialized Education Programs
Nova Scotia offers degrees that relate directly to industry needs, including: graphics, gaming and media, artificial intelligence and intelligent systems, communications technologies, SAP software expertise and cyber security.
- Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) offers a range of ICT related programs including their Advanced Diploma in Business Intelligence Analytics
- Acadia University boasts the Acadia Institute for Data Analytics
- Dalhousie University's Institute for Big Data Analytics was the first of its kind in Canada
- Saint Mary’s University was one of the first Universities in Canada to offer an applied Master of Science degree in Computing & Data Analytics
- Nova Scotia currently has 81 Canada Research Chairs. This includes two Tier 1 Chair and three Tier 2 Chairs related to ICT, with a fifth of all Canada Research Chairs in Artificial Intelligence operating out of Nova Scotia
- From 2016-17 to 2020-21 enrollment in computer science at Nova Scotia Universities has grown by 81%, driven in part by the strong growth (84%) of enrollments by women in these programs
Infrastructure
In addition to world-class tech talent, Nova Scotia also has some of the best ICT infrastructure.
- Nova Scotia offers a state of the art fibre optic network with gigabit connections available across the province, a digital communications system, and a self-generating power grid
- Lowest operating costs for companies working in the digital services industry in North America
- One of the highest digital media tax credits offered in Canada (offering up to 50%)
- Collaborative environment that brings together industry, government, and education
- Some of the world's best internet connections to both Europe and the eastern US, thanks to GTT Communications Hibernia Atlantic’s network of subsea cables
Vibrant eco-system
Nova Scotia has the right mix of post-secondary education, established multinational firms, and an active startup community that results in a well-connected, global, cluster.
- The Nova Scotia ICT industry is 1,300 establishments strong, accounting for 8.2% of Nova Scotia’s business sector output
- The ICT sector accounts for more than 35% of all private sector R&D spending in Nova Scotia
- IBM chose Nova Scotia for their first Canadian Customer Innovation Centre in 2013 and has continued to grow its Centre, as well as create innovative partnerships across the province.
- Ernst & Young launched their Canadian Centre for Advanced Analytics and Global Centre of Excellence in Robotic Process Automation in Nova Scotia
- The Collaboration for Analytics Research Education & Technology (CARET) is a unique partnership between seven post-secondary institutions and the private sector in Nova Scotia
- The ingenuity of our tech startups has put Nova Scotia on the ICT map, placing first in Canada in the Branham Group’s 2015 list of the top 25 Canadian up-and-coming ICT start-ups
You'll be in good company
Global, multinational companies have chosen Nova Scotia for growth and expansion.
- Bell Canada
- BeyondTrust
- Capgemini
- CGI
- Dell
- EY (Centre for Advanced Analytics)
- EY (Global Centre of Excellence for RPA)
- Hibernia Atlantic
- IBM
- NTT Data
- Ping Identity
- Salesforce
- Samsung
- Xerox
- Ubisoft
- Web.com
And, our Nova Scotia companies are doing big things and contributing to this sector as they grow their global operations here.
- Eastlink
- Marcato Digital Services
- Maritech Dynamics
- Nicom IT
- REDspace
- SimplyCast
- STI
- Ultra Electronics Marine Systems
- Velsoft Training Materials Inc.
For more information view our ICT infographic PDF.
