Bill 68: Financial Measures (2025) Act*

Small businesses incorporated in Nova Scotia will see the most direct financial relief: the taxable income limit eligible for the small business rate rises from $500,000 to $700,000 and the rate itself drops from 2.5% to 1.5%, effective April 1, 2025, meaningfully reducing corporate income tax bills for any owner-managed company earning under that threshold. Non-resident investors or developers buying residential property in Nova Scotia face a sharply higher deed transfer tax — jumping from 5% to 10% on deals signed on or after April 1, 2025 — which will directly affect real estate transactions, development projects, and property management businesses with foreign ownership. Entertainment businesses such as movie theatres, video game arcades, performance venues, and distributors operating anywhere in Nova Scotia will need to comply with a new licensing and classification regime under the Entertainment Licensing and Classification Act, replacing the old Theatres and Amusements Act and requiring licences, content classification, and record-keeping. Halifax Harbour Bridges operators and trucking or logistics firms that previously paid tolls on those bridges will no longer face those charges as of April 1, 2025, though any outstanding toll debts remain collectible.