Reduce the property tax gap!

The average small business pays $3,700 - $13,471 more in property tax than a residence of the same value. It’s unfair and nonsensical!

Where small businesses stand…

Tax bill icon

Businesses in Nova Scotia pay 1.8 - 5.5x higher rates than residents.

50% icon

More than 50% increased prices to manage rising property taxes.
60% icon

60% say property taxes are not set in a predictable way for small businesses.
76% icon

76% do not think the property tax provides good value for money.

Property tax on an average property*

  Multiplier**
X		 Residential
$		 Commercial
$
Halifax Regional Municipality (average of zones) 4.34 2,731 11,838
Amherst 2.68 7,188 19,239
Antigonish 2.23 5,595 12,482
Bridgewater 2.20 7,962 17,517
Cape Breton Regional Municipality (Sydney) 2.61 8,365 21,835
Colchester County 2.58 3,809 9,813
Inverness County 1.82 4,519 8,221
Lunenburg 2.44 5,922 14,453
Pictou County 2.23 3,508 7,81
Queens County, District 13 (Liverpool) 1.58 8,113 12,847
Truro 2.43 7,962 19,368
Wolfville 2.43 6,308 15,346
Yarmouth 2.54 7,360 18,772

*$430,400 based on the average house price found on the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) Housing Price Index in April 2025 for Nova Scotia.

**The multiplier is the size of the commercial tax rate relative to the residential tax rate.

Nova Scotia Mayors

CC: Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities

Commercial properties are taxed up to 5.5 times more than residential. That means my small business is paying thousands more in property taxes than a household would for the same space.

Instead of being overtaxed, that money should go towards growing my business, supporting my employees, and serving the community that keeps us going.

We provide good jobs, contribute to local culture, and bring life to our neighbourhood – yet we’re penalized with higher taxes.

With costs climbing and customer demand softening, a lower property tax bill would give my business the breathing room it desperately needs.

I am urging you to:

  • Close the property tax gap in my municipality.
  • Lower commercial property tax rates.
  • Commit to ensuring future tax increases are set in a way that is fair and predictable for my business.
CFIB logo

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings.