Area Information

Located on Canada’s east coast, the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) has a population of approximately 400,000 and is the commercial centre of Atlantic Canada. Halifax-Dartmouth-Bedford, the urban component of HRM, forms the foundation of Nova Scotia's economy and has a diversified, well-educated workforce.

The HRM is predominately white collar in nature as Halifax is the regional headquarters for numerous businesses and industries. Halifax has several large retail/commercial areas throughout the city and a thriving Central Business District. Burnside Park, the largest industrial park east of Montreal, is located on the Dartmouth side of Halifax Harbour. The Harbour is one of the world’s deepest ice-free seaports and, with the main eastern rail terminus for Canadian National Rail, provides an important link in North America’s international trade routes.

Halifax is the main health sciences and education hub east of Montreal and the centre for government in Nova Scotia. The city has seven-degree granting institutions and 60% of the work force possesses a university degree or college diploma – twice the Canadian average. The City is a major tourist destination and hosts innumerable cultural and arts events throughout the year.