Nova Scotia

Production Incentive Fund at 25–26% base of all Nova Scotia costs, with content and distant-location bonuses.

Nova Scotia moved from a tax credit to a direct incentive fund in 2015 and has rebuilt steadily since: Halifax carries a working crew base, and the province's documentary community is among the strongest in Atlantic Canada.

Stream I (majority Nova Scotian) 26% of all eligible Nova Scotia costs

Stream II (service / minority) 25% of all eligible Nova Scotia costs

Bonuses Nova Scotia content bonus up to 3%; distant-location bonus for shooting beyond the Halifax area

Minimum spend $25,000 in eligible Nova Scotia costs

Application Must be received before principal photography begins

Administered by Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage; Screen Nova Scotia is the industry point of contact

A fund, not a tax credit: awards are grants against eligible spend.

The interprovincial angle

The low minimum spend and fund structure make Nova Scotia one of the most accessible entry points in the country for documentary, including projects co-produced with partners in other provinces. Atlantic productions routinely bundle Nova Scotia with New Brunswick, PEI, or Newfoundland spend.

Rates verified against official program sources as of July 2026. Incentive parameters change with provincial budgets; confirm current terms with the administering body before financing decisions. All provincial incentives stack with the federal layer.

If you're producing in Nova Scotia, or looking for a partner there from another province or territory, we'd like to hear from you.

contact@rubedo.ca