Economic Growth

Economic Growth
Energy Potential - Our Progress

Nova Scotia is ready to power Canada’s future — and our own — and become a true energy superpower.

From offshore wind to natural gas, from critical minerals to forestry and agriculture, our province has the natural resources, skilled workforce and strategic location to lead the country in responsible energy and resource development — strengthening our economy while helping drive Canada’s energy security.

Under Premier Tim Houston, we are saying yes to responsible development, yes to opportunity, and yes to building a stronger, more self-reliant Nova Scotia.

Wind West: A Nation-Building Opportunity

Imagine Nova Scotia supplying up to 27% of Canada’s electricity needs.

That’s the potential of Wind West.

We are already licensing 5 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind — while Nova Scotia’s peak demand is just 2.4 GW. Our offshore zones could generate up to 66 GW, with steady winds blowing about 60% of the time — translating into roughly 40 GW of reliable, exportable clean power.

Wind West would:

  • Attract future-focused industries
  • Create jobs across Atlantic Canada
  • Lower emissions nationwide

To unlock this opportunity, Canada needs a modern national energy corridor to transmit clean power across the country. Nova Scotia is investing. Private capital is ready. Now it’s time to make it happen.

Nova Scotia's Wind West potential
Nova Oil and Natural Gas

While we build for the future, we must also lower costs today.

Nova Scotia has significant onshore and offshore natural gas potential — including up to 150 trillion cubic feet of gas resources and over one billion barrels of oil potential.

Yet today, we import natural gas through the United States at significantly higher prices. Provinces that produce their own gas pay a fraction of what Nova Scotians pay.

That’s why Budget 2026–27 includes:

  • $25 million this year (total $30 million) for the Subsurface Energy Research and Development Investment Program with Dalhousie University to assess onshore natural gas potential and ensure responsible exploration.
  • $3.6 million more to continue implementing the Green Hydrogen Action Plan and support offshore wind development, leading to transmission through Wind West.

This research will:

  • Review modern technologies
  • Assess environmental safeguards
  • Establish science-based best practices

Nova Oil and Natural Gas will:

  • Generate electricity from our own energy
  • Reduce reliance on foreign oil
  • Put downward pressure on electricity costs
  • Unlock jobs across the province
  • Keep more economic growth here at home

Made in Nova Scotia. For Nova Scotians. By Nova Scotians.

Offshore Oil and Natural Gas

Offshore oil and gas has been part of Nova Scotia’s economy for decades.

Major projects like the Sable Offshore Energy Project, Deep Panuke, and Cohasset-Panuke demonstrated that offshore development can be done safely and responsibly.

Unlocking responsible offshore development means:

  • Stable energy supply
  • Lower-emission transition fuels
  • Economic growth and skilled jobs
  • Reduced dependence on foreign imports
Critical & Strategic Minerals

Nova Scotia’s new Critical and Strategic Minerals Strategy is unlocking the full potential of our natural resources.

The province has expanded its critical minerals list to 20 minerals, adding:

  • High-purity silica
  • Silver
  • Tellurium
  • Uranium

It has also identified four strategic minerals:

  • Aggregate
  • Gold
  • Gypsum
  • Potash

These materials are essential for clean energy, construction, advanced manufacturing, defence and healthcare.

A major example is the Goldboro gold project in Guysborough County, expected to create hundreds of jobs and contribute billions to provincial GDP — under strict environmental oversight.

Nova Scotia is positioning itself as a secure supplier in a rapidly evolving global economy, unlocking investment, driving economic growth, and creating good-paying jobs here at home.

Forestry

Forestry contributes more than $2 billion annually to Nova Scotia’s economy and supports approximately 6,000 jobs.

Through the Forestry Innovation Transition Trust, government has:

These programs:

  • Improve harvesting efficiency
  • Support sustainable practices
  • Reduce wildfire risk
  • Help forestry businesses modernize and compete
Agriculture, Seafood and Rural Growth

Nova Scotia’s farming, seafood and aquaculture industries are the backbone of many rural and coastal communities.

We are strengthening provincial loan boards to:

  • Provide quicker access to capital
  • Offer more flexible financing
  • Support loans over $5 million

Programs like the Program for Accessing Agricultural Land (PAAL) and the Nova Scotia Loyal Community Supported Agriculture Incentive help new farmers thrive and drive economic growth.

By improving access to capital and supporting local food production, we are building stronger rural economies and keeping more dollars in Nova Scotia.

Unlocking Nova Scotia’s Full Potential

From Wind West to natural gas, from offshore development to critical minerals, forestry, farming and seafood — Nova Scotia is taking a balanced, responsible approach to resource development.

This is about:

  • Lower energy costs
  • Good-paying jobs
  • Economic growth that stays here
  • Energy security in an uncertain world
  • Powering the future
    + Nova Scotia is open for business.

This is about lowering energy costs and strengthening our energy security. In an uncertain world, it will create good-paying jobs and drive economic growth that stays right here in our great province.

And we are ready to power the future.