Welcoming Newest Charter Members

One of Canada's leading grocery retailers; the country's first visual arts university, and the largest investment dealer in Atlantic Canada are among the newest charter members of Nova Scotia Come to life. Signatories from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Sobeys, Beacon Securities and 43 other businesses and learning institutions, signed the charter document with Premier Darrell Dexter at a ceremony in Halifax October 2. As the provincial branding initiative, Nova Scotia Come to life brings together the public and private sector to change outdated perceptions of the province by providing a unified voice and vision. The full list of charter signers includes:

Almon Travel

Eighteen years ago, while he was still a high school teacher, Danny and Debbie Almon attended a Franchise Travel Show and were intrigued with the possibility of owning their own travel agency. The idea stayed with them until May 2003 when they opened Almon Travel in their home. That first year, the company made $67, but has grown substantially. Specializing in destination weddings, Almon Travel organized 30 weddings last year alone.

Atlantic School of Theology

Atlantic School of Theology is an ecumenical university that cultivates excellence in graduate-level theological education and research. While the majority of students come to prepare for lay and ordained ministries in community churches, some are preparing for work as chaplains. Others are looking to deepen their own personal and spiritual lives.

Beacon Securities

Beacon Securities Limited is the largest and oldest, independent, employee-owned, full-service investment dealer in Atlantic Canada. Serving clients across Canada, it was founded in 1988 to educate money managers about our region and its investment opportunities, and to bring a full range of investment products to individual investors. Beacon Securities has clients in Newfoundland, British Columbia and everywhere in between.

BioNovations Incorporated

BioNovations Incorporated, in Antigonish, manufactures Live Seafood Holding and Live Seafood Transportation systems, used in 20 countries around the world. BioNovations was first place winner in InNovaCorp’s I-3 innovative technology competition 2008. They are determined to be the market leader in solving the challenges of the live seafood industry. 

Cape Breton – Canso Realty

Cape Breton – Canso Realty has two offices, eight agents and three admin staff that cover Cape Breton Island and Northeastern Nova Scotia. Whether you're looking to buy or sell, they are able to guide you through the process. The staff is committed and prides themselves on their honesty and integrity.

Cartoon Conrad Productions

Cartoon Conrad Productions opened its doors in 2003 with a desire to create and produce high quality, entertaining animation for kids and teens. Over the past six years, the company has worked for CBC, Teletoon and Fox Kids. They've also produced promotional multimedia for The Simpsons Movie, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Ratatouille and Spiderman 3.

Claussen Walters & Associates Ltd

Nova Scotia is world-renowned for its natural beauty. Claussen Walters enjoys finding wonderful properties to tell clients about, from a waterfront coastal property, a luxury estate, oceanfront acreage, character village home, or rustic cottage. With offices in Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, Bridgewater, and Shelburne, Claussen Walters agents share their love of Nova Scotia, helping clients find a piece of Nova Scotia heaven.

CoastArts Association

CoastArts Association is comprised of The Ross Creek Centre for the Arts and its resident company, Two Planks and a Passion Theatre. The Ross Creek Centre for the Arts is an arts education and development centre based on 186 acres of farm and forest in the Annapolis Valley. Two Planks and a Passion Theatre is an award-winning professional theatre company committed to creating new Canadian drama. Productions are presented on the outdoor, off-the grid stages of the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts. The theatre offers theatrical outreach and education programs.

DiHL Digital

DiHL Digital is an independent film and new media company based in Halifax. With its official launch in 2009, the new company has already set itself apart in the local industry with its versatility, hands-on approach and expertise in all facets of film and new media.

Eastern Front Theatre Company

Celebrating its 17th season, Eastern Front Theatre Company is dedicated to developing and promoting Atlantic Canadian theatre artists. The theatre's mission is to provide audiences with plays that speak directly to the Atlantic Canadian experience and has commissioned, developed and presented dozens of original dramatic works.  With three Governor General's Award nominations, Eastern Front Theatre has proven itself a leader in developing new Canadian plays.

eSource Event Registration Ltd.

eSource Event Registration Ltd. makes planning your next conference – no matter what the size – easy! In addition, eSource Event Registration can assist with registration, hotel negotiations, sponsorship and exhibitor solicitation, gala ticket sales with assigned seating and name badge preparation.

Foundation Career College

The trucking industry is growing and Foundation Career College has been providing professional, quality truck training since 1996. Offering training in the "real-life setting" of an industrial park, the college has developed an excellent reputation with trucking companies by continuing to supply them with safe, knowledgeable candidates. Instructors meet the highest standards of professionalism with over 100 years experience as trainers or in the transportation Industry

FUSION Halifax

Since October 2007, FUSION Halifax has become a credible, trusted voice for young people in this city – and has unleashed new energy within the community through events, action teams and communications. With nearly 1,400 members aged 20 to 40 - and growing - FUSION wants to continue to harness the energy and enthusiasm of Halifax's next generation. Its goal is to create a stronger, more competitive and more collaborative city and region that will become a global magnet for the next generation.

Gerald Walsh Associates Inc

Founded in 1990, Gerald Walsh Associates Inc. is dedicated delivering professional executive search, career transition and executive coaching services. One of the top executive search firms in Atlantic Canada, Gerald Walsh Associates is located in Halifax.

Halifax Dance Association

Halifax Dance Association is the longest standing - and is widely considered to be the best dance school - east of Montreal. It began as a co-op in 1969 and became a not-for profit organization in 1973. Now, 36 years later, Halifax Dance continues to offer top-notch dance education for children, teens and adults and for all levels of ability.

Headspace Design

Headspace Design is a curious, passionate and experienced group of big thinkers and even bigger doers. Curious about new ideas, passionate about the possibilities of the Internet, and experienced in bringing these elements together, Headspace Design is a versatile studio of seasoned professionals delivering quality interactive marketing services for clients.

HLM Realties Limited

HLM Realties Limited is a Real Estate brokerage based in New Glasgow with a second office in Pictou. After 60 years in business, HLM Reality is the longest active Real Estate brokerage in Nova Scotia, serving Antigonish, Guysborough, Colchester, Cumberland and Pictou counties.

HRO Core Inc. – Human Resources Outsourcing

HRO Core Inc. is a leader in human resource outsourcing that began helping small and medium businesses in March 2005. HRO Core provides HR services to allow businesses to focus on core revenue-generating activities. The firm adds value to businesses by providing HR services so companies can retain, recruit, train and engage employees – making employees more effective.

Information Technology Industry Alliance of Nova Scotia (ITANS)

The Information Technology Industry Alliance of Nova Scotia, or ITANS, represents the information, communication and digital technologies industry in Nova Scotia. ITANS is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing the industry. ITANS promotes opportunities and networking events, develops industry skills through training, sharing ideas and information, and providing advocacy on policy issues.

Journeyman Film Company

Journeyman Film Company is a production company based in Halifax since 1998 and is led by Mathew Welsh. The company has won many awards – including a Gemini – for work in documentary TV.   One of its most widely seen productions in Nova Scotia is the series of vignettes produced for Come to life's Pride of Place campaign. 

Kings Produce Processing

In the early 1960s Bruce McKenzie saw a demand for prepared salads, including his signature potato salad. The present owners bought the company in 1989 and produce a wide variety of salads, coleslaws and fresh-cut produce. Kings Processing moved into a new state-of-the-art food processing facility in March 2002. Now the business is preparing to break ground on an expansion.

Les Clefs d’Or Canada

Les Clefs d'Or Canada is a non-profit association of more than 130 dedicated concierges working at hotels in seven regions across Canada. Internationally, the organization boasts more than 3,000 members in 40 countries. Its goal: to advocate on behalf of this little-known profession and to ensure members adhere to a strict code of standards and ethics.

Metals Economics Group

Metals Economics Group is recognized as a world leader in mining industry intelligence. Founded in 1981, Metals Economics Group is a primary source of information and analysis on global minerals exploration, development, and production; strategic planning issues; and acquisitions activity.

Norex

Norex is a 100% owned and operated Atlantic Canadian Web development company based in Halifax. The experienced team of 18 full-time professionals has a diverse wealth of knowledge in all things related to application development for the Web. Norex serves clients all over the globe and opened a Calgary office in early 2006.

Nova Scotia Cochrane Resource Centre

Health care is constantly changing as new research is produced. It can be challenging for health care practitioners and consumers to make sense of the vast amount of information generated. Summarizing this body of research into a concise document is known as a systematic review. So, instead of searching through hundreds of research studies, a user can consult a systematic review that effectively informs their health care decision. The Cochrane Collaboration is an international non-profit organization that sets the gold standard for systematic reviews. The Nova Scotia Cochrane Resource Centre is the first regional arm of the Cochrane Collaboration network. The centre is based at Dalhousie University and is expanding Cochrane activities throughout the province.

Nova Scotia Forestry Association

The Nova Scotia Forestry Association is a non-profit organization that advocates for sustainable development and wise management of the forests of Nova Scotia. The association promotes public education and interest in all phases of forestry and natural resources, developing and delivering youth awareness programs such as Envirothon, National Forest Week, Children's Forest and the Atlantic Teachers Tour.

Nova Scotia College of Art and Design

Integral to Nova Scotia's cultural landscape since 1887, NSCAD University is one of North America's finest art schools and Canada's premier university dedicated to the visual arts. With three campuses, a growing reputation for research, and a progressive cultural vision, NSCAD produces internationally renowned creators, thinkers and innovators. Over 1,000 full-time students from diverse regions and backgrounds are enrolled at NSCAD, and an additional 1,500 local residents are engaged in extended learning programs.

One Life Surf School and Spa

One Life Surf School and Spa offers surf instruction on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore to men, women and children. And if that doesn't balance you out – they also offer massage therapy, Thai yoga massage, aromatherapy, and other special events.

Premiere Executive Suites

Since 1999, Premiere Executive Suites has established a Canada-wide network of more than 1,000 residential executive furnished suites. Founded in Halifax, by entrepreneur Tim Moore and his business partner Suzanne Bachur, Premiere Executive Suites has rapidly become them most recognized and trusted name in luxury furnished accommodations for the mobile employee.

Rich Graphics

Rich Graphics is a design firm located in Halifax. Rich Graphics offers cohesive design solutions for both print and web application. They also specialize in brand identities and social media start-up for small and medium size d business.

Royal LePage People First Realty

Originally from the U.S., licensed broker Cathie Billings and her husband immigrated to Nova Scotia when an employee from Chester told them how wonderful Nova Scotia was. Now based in Cookville, outside of Bridgewater, Cathie is able to pursue a successful real estate business while enjoying the balanced quality of life that is possible in Nova Scotia. Cathie and her clients' fish in the salmon hole just outside her office on the LaHave River, watch red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, deer, Canadian geese and even two brown pelicans that spent a few days fishing on the river.

Royer Thompson

Royer Thompson is a well-established human resource and management consulting firm with a broad client base from the private and public sectors. Incorporated in 1991 by a group of senior management professionals, the firm has built a successful practice offering a wide selection of recruiting, leader development, organizational design and system best practices. Each consultant has a long-standing connection to the firm and brings a diverse array of talents and senior level expertise. Royer Thompson is the Atlantic Canadian partner of Verity Filion Inc. and an affiliate of Cornerstone International Group, giving the capacity to service projects with national and international scopes.

Shannex Inc

Shannex is a family-owned company that has been a market leader providing healthy lifestyle options for seniors in Atlantic Canada for more than 20 years. Shannex believes employees are key to its success and has developed a Centre for Excellence to recruit, develop and retain staff in order to become the employer of choice. In 2008, Shannex received the Maritime Better Business Bureau Ethics Award for going far beyond the average to maintain high standards of ethical behavior and social responsibility.

Sheep Dog Inc

Sheep Dog Inc. is a full-service IT consultancy and Google's exclusive enterprise partner in Canada for application solutions and support. Sheep Dog helps private and public organizations around the globe migrate from existing legacy mail systems to Google's Cloud-based business application toolset.

Sobeys

Sobeys Inc. is a leading national grocery retailer and food distributor headquartered in Stellarton. A wholly owned subsidiary of Empire Company Limited, Sobeys owns or franchises more than 1,300 stores in all 10 provinces. Retail banners include Sobeys, IGA, Foodland, Price Chopper and Thrifty Foods, as well as Lawtons Drug Stores. Sobeys is committed to providing the most worthwhile experience for its customers, employees, franchisees, suppliers and shareholders.

Spider Video

Spider Video is a leading-edge, full-service video production company with a specialty in producing Web-based video content. This all-in-one production facility can script, produce, shoot, edit and distribute videos. Led by Craig Moore, Spider Video also creates its own in-house productions to gain hands-on knowledge and experience to pass on to clients.

Steep Hill Solutions

The mandate of Steep Hill Solutions is to develop innovative products and effectively bring them to market. Its flagship product line, Omega Crunch Flax Products, was launched in early 2007. Steep Hill Solutions manufacturers and distributes this great-tasting flax seed topping across Canada and this year began selling in the U.S.

Stragility Consulting

Stragility Consulting is a Halifax-based strategic technology consultancy with an international focus. The company helps organizations make smart decisions about how and when to use innovative information technologies. Curt LaMontagne founded Stragility after many years living and working internationally as a consultant. He chose Nova Scotia as a base because of the quote "astonishing quality of life and easy access to international customers". 

TeamSpace

TeamSpace, incorporated in September 2000, is an IT consultancy based in Bedford. Since the company's clients are mostly international, Team Space has had a relatively low profile locally, although they are working to change that. Clients include MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, and others. TeamSpace recently won an NSBI award for Export Growth Through Partnership and its Rich Media Division was recently featured in The Chronicle Herald. The company has about 50 employees with offices in the U.K. and Canada.

The Hub Space People Innovation Ltd.

The Hub is an unconventional business centre, located on the second floor of an historic building in downtown Halifax. The Hub is a space for people with great ideas to take risks and make them happen.  Targeting a cross section of professions who work primarily on laptops, and who need a place to work and meet in downtown Halifax, The Hub sells workspace and meeting space. It combines the best of a professional office, a neighbourhood café and the comforts of home.

The Uncommon Group

The Uncommon Group is a Halifax-based company focused on creating, establishing and managing innovative retail environments in Nova Scotia. The Uncommon Group has nine retail stores and more than 50 employees in the Halifax area. The Uncommon Group includes Uncommon Grounds Coffee Houses, Sugah! Confectionery & Ice Cream Emporium, Rum Runners Rum Cake Factory, Uncommon Kids Gear and Carbonstok.   In 2009, the Uncommon Group was awarded Best New Store Design in Canada from the Retail Council of Canada for Carbonstok.

The Wooden Monkey

The Wooden Monkey follows the new triple P bottom line, People, Planet, Profits supporting a healthier and more sustainable world.  The Wooden Monkey is striving to reflect a new way of life, a conscience shift, taking ownership of its buying power, making a decision to support the right ripple effect when purchasing all products. Founder and co-owner Lil MacPherson strives to support the healthier food system, buying from local, independent organic growers and producers whenever possible. Lil was born in Nova Scotia and is the mother of two boys.

Think Usability

Think Usability offers consulting and testing of websites, software, and video games with one goal in mind: to improve the experience of the customer.

TimberhArt Woodworks

With 31 years of experience and expertise, TimberhArt specialize in traditional Timber Frames joined with pegs and has grown into other areas of building and expansion abroad. TimberhArt homes can be found where there is a desire for fine craftsmanship, a love of wood and an emphasis on beautiful surroundings. TimberhArt offers timber frame and weather-tight packages, along with timber frame components, windows and doors, custom stairs, flooring, artisan furniture, and reclaimed heritage barns and churches.

Turbine Fashion

Turbine Fashion is a ready-to-wear line designed and produced by Canadian Designer Lisa Drader-Murphy. The full line encompasses clothing in a range of textiles from unused vintage wool suiting to silk to mohair, leather handbags and jewelry as well as professional cosmetics and skin care products. With a studio located in Falmouth, in the beautiful Annapolis Valley, and an exclusive boutique on Halifax's waterfront at Bishop's Landing, Ms. Drader-Murphy, originally from Alberta, has embraced life here in Nova Scotia.

University of King's College

Nestled on the campus of Dalhousie University in Halifax, the University of King's College offers a distinct style of learning that focuses on eliminating the traditional divisions that exist between disciplines. They show students how subjects link, interact and integrate. One-thousand one-hundred students pursue degrees in arts, science, music or journalism at King's while drawing upon the many resources of Dalhousie

Velocity Entertainment Inc.

Velocity is Atlantic Canada's most innovative entertainment and theming expert. Velocity's creative ingenuity and seasoned team of professionals guarantee a customized and seamless production every time. Velocity "makes potential happen" by providing and managing the most leading-edge a la carte menu of performers, speakers, production, decor, photography, companion programs, transportation and on-line registration services in the market.