Today we saw the 2025-2026 Provincial budget tabled in the legislature. We are pleased to see additional funding allocated to Nova Scotia Loyal and look forward to working with the government to strengthen the program and expand the infrastructure and resources needed to grow the local market.
We are also encouraged to see an investment in the development of a Trade Action Plan as identifying new markets for our products is timely and necessary. Additional funding that is earmarked for Crop Insurance is another notable investment for the sector and is a positive step toward strengthening business risk management programs and ensuring greater resilience for farmers.
This budget also reduces the small business tax rate from 2.5% to 1.5% and raises the threshold for a small business from 500K to 700K, which will provide tax relief to many farmers across the province.
It has been encouraging to see the importance of agriculture and the vital role that farmers play in our rural economies and communities, being highlighted in both the Budget Address and the Speech from the Throne this week. We look forward to working with the government to transform these initiatives into impactful support for the agriculture sector.
This budget entitled Unlocking our Potential highlights the need for growth and adaptation in Nova Scotia. We know that agriculture plays a key role in addressing provincial challenges, and realizing its full potential will require strategic collaboration between government and industry. We look forward to working together to create a path forward for our sector, a path that we can utilize to build a strong foundation towards a sustainable future for farmers.
- Carolyn Van Den Heuvel, Executive Director