BILL NO. 245
(as introduced)
1st Session, 65th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
4 Charles III, 2026
Private Member's Public Bill
Technology Sector Growth and
Talent Development Strategy Act
The Honourable Iain Rankin
Timberlea–Prospect
First Reading: March 12, 2026
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act to Establish a Technology
Sector Growth and Talent Development
Strategy for Nova Scotia
Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:
1 This Act may be cited as the Technology Sector Growth and Talent Development Strategy Act.
2 The purpose of this Act is to
(a) promote the sustainable growth and competitiveness of the Province's technology sector;
(b) strengthen collaboration between the Government, technology firms, universities and public schools;
(c) improve pathways from secondary education to post-secondary education and employment in the technology sector; and
(d) support the development, attraction and retention of technology talent in the Province.
"Minister" means the Minister of Growth and Development;
"Strategy" means the Technology Sector Growth and Talent Development Strategy developed under this Act;
"technology sector" means businesses and organizations primarily engaged in software development, information technology, digital services, advanced computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, clean technology, life sciences technology or other technology-driven industries.
4 (1) The Minister shall, within 12 months of the coming into force of this Act, publish a Technology Sector Growth and Talent Development Strategy for the Province.
(2) The Strategy must be developed in consultation with
(a) representatives of the technology sector, including start-ups, scale-ups and established firms;
(b) universities and other post-secondary institutions in the Province;
(c) representatives of the public school system, including the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial; and
(d) such other persons or organizations as the Minister considers appropriate.
5 The Strategy must include measures to
(a) strengthen experiential learning opportunities for students, including co-operative education, internships, work-integrated learning and mentorship programs with technology firms;
(b) improve alignment among high school curricula, post-secondary programs and the skills required by the technology sector;
(c) encourage partnerships between universities, other post-secondary institutions, high schools and technology firms for research, commercialization and entrepreneurship;
(d) support the creation and expansion of technology hubs, incubators and accelerators connected to educational institutions;
(e) promote technology education, digital literacy and innovation skills at the high school level;
(f) attract and retain technology talent in the Province, including recent graduates;
(g) identify barriers to growth in the technology sector and propose actions to address them; and
(h) determine initiatives to encourage technology firms to remain in the Province as their companies grow.
6 (1) The Minister shall establish a Technology Sector Advisory Council to advise on the implementation and ongoing improvement of the Strategy.
(2) The Advisory Council must include representatives from
(b) universities and other post-secondary institutions; and
(c) public high schools or education entities.
(3) The Advisory Council shall meet at least twice each year and may make recommendations to the Minister respecting updates to the Strategy.
7 (1) The Minister shall table in the House of Assembly an annual report on the implementation of the Strategy.
(a) actions taken during the preceding fiscal year;
(b) progress toward objectives set out in the Strategy; and
(c) any recommended changes to improve outcomes.
This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2026 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created March 12, 2026. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
