Digital inclusion for all starts with connection.
On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, GEO Nova Scotia hosted GEO Forum 2025 — a free, hybrid gathering that brought together partners from government, community, and industry to explore how we are closing the digital divide across Nova Scotia.
Held at Volta in Halifax, with a virtual option available for all sessions, the day created space for honest conversations, practical learning, and shared momentum around universal digital inclusion. From lived-experience perspectives to cross-sector collaboration, Forum sessions highlighted the realities communities are facing — and the collective work underway to ensure digital inclusion for all.
We’re grateful to every speaker, sponsor, participant, and partner who made the day what it was!
If you couldn’t attend — or want to revisit the conversations — you can now watch all GEO Forum 2025 sessions on our YouTube channel!
GEO FORUM 2025 AGENDA
9:00 AM – 9:25 AM: Forum Opening with Premier Tim Houston and Minister Jill Balser
9:30 AM – 10:20 AM: Opening Plenary Panel: What does Digital Inclusion mean to Nova Scotia?
10:30 AM – 11:20 AM: Spotlight: SchoolsPlus and Digital Inclusion
10:30 AM – 11:20 AM: Panel: African Nova Scotian Communities and Digital Inclusion
10:30 AM – 11:20 AM: Digital Champions Training: AI Primer (virtual only)
11:30 AM -11:55 AM: Mini-session: eMental Health Booklet
11:30 AM – 11:55 AM: Mini-session: Engage Nova Scotia
11:30 AM – 11:55 AM: Digital Champions Short: Accessing Services Online (virtual only)
1:00 PM – 1:25 PM: Mini-session: Information and Communication Accessibility Standards
1:00 PM – 1:25 PM: Mini-session: The Zoe Valle Memorial Library Story
1:00 PM – 1:25 PM: Digital Champions Short: Mental Health (virtual only)
2:00 PM – 2:50 PM: Panel: Homelessness and Digital Inclusion
2:00 PM – 2:50 PM: Panel: Emergency Management and Digital Inclusion
2:00 PM – 2:50 PM: Digital Champions Training: Core DC Training (virtual only)
3:00 PM – 3:50 PM: Panel: Training & Employment and Digital Inclusion
3:00 PM – 3:50 PM: Panel: Gender Based Violence and Digital Inclusion: Addressing Online Misogyny
3:00 PM – 3:50 PM: Digital Champions Training: AI Primer Encore (virtual only)
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Closing Plenary: GEO for Nonprofits
Thank You to Our Sponsors
GEO Forum 2025 is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors. Their commitment to digital inclusion has allowed us to offer this year’s Forum completely free for all participants. We’re grateful for their partnership in creating space for connection, learning, and collaboration as we work toward universal digital inclusion in Nova Scotia.
Presenting Sponsor:
Nova Scotia Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions
Contributing Sponsors:
Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration
