St. John’s Providing Housing Incentives

Housing is the foundation for a safe, prosperous and healthy community. Adequate and affordable housing leads to benefits in health, education and economic opportunities. 


Like many Canadian communities, St. John’s is experiencing mounting pressures in demand for housing, in part due to increased population growth that has not been met by new housing inventories. 


In March 2024, the City of St. John’s was allocated over $10.4 million in federal funding through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund to stimulate housing growth. 

Through the Housing Accelerator Fund, the City has recently awarded two consulting contracts to prepare plans for Cowan Heights and the University Area with densification and livability in mind. 


Two new Housing Accelerator Fund programs include: grants for homeowners for additional housing units and an incentive program for developers who are building multi-unit purpose built rentals.  Projects must be approved by December 31, 2026, and completed by December 21, 2027. For more information on eligibility and how to apply to incentive programs, visit StJohns.ca/HAF.

Improved Internal Processes

The City is improving its internal processes to break down barriers for developers and speed up development. These include:

  • E-permitting: The City will implement an e-permitting system to improve processing times for digital permit assessments, approvals, and fee payments.
  • Pre-Approved Design Concepts: The City will also provide pre-approved design concepts that meet its standards.

 

Affordable Housing Supports

Recognizing the need for increased affordable housing supply in St. John’s, the City offers the following supports:

  • waiving applicable development and permit fees for not-for-profits;
  • exempting certain properties from paying property tax, i.e. properties owned and occupied by a charitable organization;
  • relieving parking requirements for some developments; and
  • placing a priority on affordable housing projects with improved processing times where possible.


For more information on eligibility and to learn more, please contact affordablehousing@stjohns.ca

Housing data

For the first three quarters of 2024, housing starts in St. John’s increased 84% to 584 units compared to the same time frame for 2023. For the latest housing research and insights CMHC’s Housing Portal offers free, easy-to-use access to the latest housing market data.


National Housing Day Forum

On Friday, November 29th the City of St. John’s will be holding its National Housing Day Forum focused on shifting demographics with a particular lens to immigration and international students. You can find more details about the event & sign up information here.


The City of St. John’s will continue to work with other levels of government, the private sector and our community partners to focus on producing, protecting and promoting housing solutions.

City Initiatives

Celebrating Entrepreneurship

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Nov 18-23 is the world’s largest celebration of entrepreneurship focused on four theme areas: Education; Ecosystems; Inclusion; and Policy and is hosted in Canada by Futurpreneur.


In St. John’s, the City’s Youth Engagement Working Group is hosting an event focused on young business owners sharing their stories and experiences. Young Voices in Business, an event for 18 to 30-year-olds interested in starting or growing a business, takes place Thursday, November 21 from 6 to 8 pm at the St. John’s Community Market. Participants should register online to reserve their spot. 


The City of St. John's is also pleased to fly the GEW Canada flag at City Hall and to proclaim the week of November 18 – 24 Global Entrepreneurship Week in St. John’s. 

Deck the Great Hall Holiday Market

The City of St. John’s is hosting a festive holiday market. Explore a wide variety of local artisans and vendors, enjoy live performances, sip free hot chocolate, and explore our beautifully decorated outdoor courtyard with plenty of festive photo ops. This FREE event welcomes all ages, so bring the whole family to experience the joy of the holidays!


Date: Sunday, December 8, 2024

Time: 12 to 4 p.m.

Location: City Hall, 10 New Gower Street


Stay tuned for more details on the Deck the Great Hall event page!

Holiday Lights at Bowring Park

Ring in the season with our annual celebration of holiday music and lights at Bowring Park duck pond. Experience the bright lights and festive music as we officially light the park for the holiday season Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 5 p.m. Back-up date (in case if inclement weather) Saturday, December 14, 2024. Community Food Sharing Association will be onsite, collecting non-perishable food items for the food bank.  

News Briefing

Carnegie learning expands to Canada with St. John’s headquarters

Carnegie Learning, an educational technology company renowned for its artificial intelligence (AI) - driven tools, has officially opened its Canadian headquarters in the heart of downtown St. John’s at Atlantic Place. With over 25 years of experience, the Pittsburgh-based company is finding innovative ways to leverage AI to enhance learning experiences, simplify workflows, and improve overall efficiency. The primary focus of its new St. John's office is to develop the company's new K-6 mathematics game, MATHia Adventure. 

Expertise Hub Co-operative - empowering experts

Expertise Hub Co-operative (EHC) is a new Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) federally registered co-operative dedicated to helping immigrants succeed in the Canadian job market through a focus on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. EHC works to remove barriers that prevent immigrants—especially those with foreign qualifications—from reaching their career goals. EHC’s mission is to empower immigrants through advanced training and personalized mentorship, aligning their skills and qualifications with the demands of the job market. Find out more: expertisehub.ca.

Federal government launches programs to help small businesses adopt and adapt artificial intelligence solutions

The Government of Canada’s has launched two new programs to help businesses harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and drive innovation across the country.

 

First, the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) will invest $200 million to help bring new AI technologies to market and help accelerate AI adoption by small businesses and sectors. This program will be delivered through Canada's regional development agencies over the next five years with ACOA taking the lead in Atlantic Canada.


Second, the AI Assist Program is investing $100 million to help innovative Canadian SMEs that are building or actively incorporating generative AI and deep learning solutions into their core products and services. For more information, including on how to apply, visit www.canada.ca 

Government of Canada Business Supports

Cybersecurity guidance for small businesses 

There is nothing static about cyber security. As Canada’s authority on cyber security, the Canadian Center for Cyber Security understands businesses need relevant, practical advice that makes sense to help you protect your information and IT assets. The Cyber Centre offers advice, guidance, and information developed by their cyber experts, based on our unique access and vantage point. Visit www.cyber.gc.ca to get cyber security advice and guidance tailored to small and medium-sized businesses.

Upcoming Courses and Events

Book your spot!

Nov 13 Genesis Pitch & Pick Invitational

Nov 13 2024 Project Management Symposium

Nov 13 Business and the Arts NL Budgeting & Financial Planning for Self-Employed Artists

Nov 14 Oceans Advance Industry and Research Connector event

Nov 14 NLOWE Passport for Growth: Support Comes in Many Forms *ONLINE*

Nov 14 Atlantic Economic Council Business Outlook Conference

Nov 18 Social Enterprise Week 2024 - Join Memorial University’s Centre for Social Enterprise for a week full of inspiration, learning, and action!

Nov 18-19 Thriving Non-Profits NL Show & Tell event

Nov 19 CBDC Raising the Bar in Customer Experience

Nov 27 Women in Resource Development (WRDC) Virtual AGM

Nov 28 Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters NL Conference Embracing Excellence: Talent - Technology - Technique

Dec 2 St. John's Board of Trade Working Together: Building a City of Opportunity

Dec 2 Statistics Canada Webinar: Introduction to Market Research

Dec 4 Economic Development Assoc. of NL AGM and Panel Discussion on Housing

Dec 5 WRDC Inclusive Leadership workshop

Dec 5 Gardiner Centre Building Personal and Professional Confidence *ONLINE*

We'd love to hear from you

Do you have a good business news story to tell? Do you have feedback on what you would like to see covered in our monthly publication? Send your ideas to business@stjohns.ca

Latest Economic Indicators

City building permits November 12, 2024


Commercial permits

Down -2% from $103,857,483 in 2023 to $101,843,351 in 2024


Industrial permits

Valued at $190,000 for 2023 and $5,114,500 for 2024


Government/institutional permits

Up from $7,441,336 in 2023 to $40,113,071 in 2024*


Residential permits

Up 36% to $107,087,453 for 2024 over $78,710,064 for 2023


Repair permits

Down -34% from $1,514,011 in 2023 to $1,005,269 in 2024


Total value of all permits for 2024

Up 33% to $255,163,643 for 2024 over $191,712,895 for 2023


*This data does not include the full range of permit activity undertaken by the provincial government and Memorial University.

Business approvals

Natural Boutique, 48 Kenmount Road

Co-operators, 145 Aberdeen Avenue

Best Buy Express, 48 Kenmount Road

Recruiting company, 145 Aberdeen Avenue

The Screech Room, 21-23 Queen’s Road

NL Skin Clinic, 460 Torbay Road

Estee Cafe, 260-268 Water Street

Johnny Ruth, 8-10 Rowan Street

PAL Group of Companies: The Brendan Power Centre, 24 Stavanger Drive

Be Positive Blood Collection, 286 Torbay Road

One & Only Bridal Shop, 149 Queen’s Road

Greatway Financial, 141 Torbay Road

Office and warehouse, 1 Austin Street

Taylor Drake Photography, 355 Main Road

Massage Therapy clinic, 452 Water Street


Home-based businesses

Electrical Contractor business, 520 Main Road

Morning Strategy business consulting, 47-49 William Street

Family Child Care, 67-73 Main Road



Total business approvals for 2024 = 149 (regular = 117 and home-based = 32)

Labour force characteristics as of October 2024



Labour force – 127,500 (up 1.8%)


Unemployment rate – 6.7% (0.0ppts)


Employment – 118,800 (up 1.7%)


Participation rate – 64.8% (down -0.5ppts)


St. John's CMA, seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average. Percentage change reflects the same month previous year. Source: Statistics Canada.

Economic indicators


The New Housing Price Index for St. John’s Metro was 107.1 in September 2024 (up 0.2%*)


The Consumer Price Index for St. John’s Metro was 161.4 in September 2024 (up 1.8%*) 


Retail trade for Newfoundland and Labrador was $1,032 million in August 2024 (up 9.7%*)


*St. John's CMA, same month in the previous year. Source: Statistics Canada