Crowd rallies in front of Nova Scotia legislature for coastal protection legislation
A large crowd gathered in front of the Nova Scotia legislature Wednesday, calling on the provincial government to revive abandoned legislation to protect the province's 13,000 kilometres of shoreline.
Holding signs reading "save our shores," protesters denounced the Progressive Conservative government's decision in February against putting into force the Coastal Protection Act, which was passed in 2019 by the former Liberal government with support from all parties in the legislature. The act would have offered more protection to coastal areas, dunes and salt marshes, and restricted development along parts of the coastline at risk of heavy erosion.
Organizers said more than 150 people attended the protest, which included representatives from several environmental organizations, as well as coastal land owners and politicians, including Liberal Leader Zach Churchill and NDP Leader Claudia Chender.
Maggy Burns, executive director of the Halifax-based Ecology Action Centre, told the crowd the government has provided no "credible rationale" for its decision to abandon the act and instead shift much of the responsibility for coastal protection to property owners and municipalities.
"During (post-tropical storm) Fiona we lost huge sections of our shoreline on the northern coast of Nova Scotia and in Cape Breton," Burns said about the 2022 storm. "The Coastal Protection Act is designed to protect homes, protect taxpayers and protect the critical ecosystems that we depend on."
The government's new policy has simply left municipalities "holding the bag" while Nova Scotians face an "incomprehensible patchwork of rules," she said.
"Pick up a lawn sign, keep calling your MLAs, visit their offices and let them know that this is an election issue for you," Burns urged the crowd. "Let's say to the government loud and clear: keep your promises, listen to Nova Scotians and show us the leadership that's so clearly needed."
The government's alternative to the Coastal Protection Act has 15 measures, including one offering homeowners and municipalities access to an online hazard map that shows the worst-case scenario for sea level rise along the coast in the year 2100.
The province will also fund a new coastal protection co-ordinator for the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities, who will help local governments that lack the resources to deal with coastal development issues.
But Robert Parker, Warden of the Municipality of Pictou County, said in an interview he's skeptical the approach will work in the rural communities he represents.
"Right now the premier has said we'll give you the information and you guys decide on your own," Parker said. "That's no more the right thing to do than saying here's the information for driving on the highway -- you pick the speed you think you should go at."
Parker said a uniform set of rules is needed across the province in order to let people know where and how they can build on the coast.
"We can't have a patchwork system, which is what's going to happen if we go municipally," he said.
Victoria Byrne, who has owned a coastal home for nearly 60 years on Shag Bay outside Halifax, said she's experienced what can happen when there are no clear development rules for builders and homeowners.
"Over the last 50 years people have developed on one side of me, which has changed the way the sand moves and the waves move and they impact the actual land itself," Byrne said. "So I'm not only losing beach, but I'm losing my shoreline as well."
More than one metre has been eroded from the shore near her home, Byrne said, adding that it has become "a much different place." Byrne said she believes the province needs to take responsibility.
"There needs to be a uniform set of rules and education as well," she said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2024.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP wants Liberals to scrap proposed election date change that could secure pensions for many MPs
The federal New Democrats want to amend the Liberal government's electoral reform legislation to scrap the proposal to push back the vote by a week and consequently secure pensions for dozens of MPs, CTV News has learned.
A pair enjoyed pricey meals and bolted when it was time to pay. Their dine and dash ended in jail
A Welsh couple who dined out on pricey meals and bolted when the bill came is now paying the price, behind bars.
Man stabbed in both legs with a machete in Times Square
A man was stabbed in both legs with a machete at New York's Times Square on Thursday afternoon, police said.
Doug Ford suggests immigrants behind Jewish school shooting
Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested immigrants are to blame for the shooting of an empty Jewish school in Toronto over the weekend, despite police saying they have little information on the suspects.
Drive one of these vehicles? You may pay 37 per cent more than average insurance costs due to thefts
As the number of auto theft incidents rises in Canada, so have insurance premiums for drivers, even the ones whose vehicles aren't stolen.
Shania Twain shares how she forgave her ex-husband's cheating: 'It's his mistake'
Shania Twain recently addressed the infidelity that rocked her marriage to Robert 'Mutt' Lange, whom she divorced in 2010 after he had an affair with her friend, Marie-Anne Thiébaud.
Melanie Joly 'forward-leaning' in debate on Ukraine using NATO arms inside Russia
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly is suggesting Canada would support a policy of allowing Ukraine to use NATO-provided arms inside Russia.
Donald Trump can sue niece over NY Times article, court rules
A New York state appeals court said Donald Trump can sue his niece Mary Trump for giving the New York Times information for its Pulitzer Prize-winning 2018 probe into his finances and his alleged effort to avoid taxes.
Fast-paced, highflying SailGP blows into Halifax for weekend competition
Ten countries, including Canada, each with teams of six sailors, are battling head-to-head on Halifax Harbour this weekend for the Canadian debut of SailGP (Grand Prix).