Residents dealing with erosion react to N.S. abandonment of Coastal Protection Act
Joyce Peach has lived in her cliffside home in Port Morien, N.S., for more than 60 years. She's now 94-years-old, and in recent years she has found herself living dangerously close to the water's edge.
"Property is gradually falling into the ocean,” Peach told CTV Atlantic during an interview in February 2022. “Everyone tells me I have a million dollar view, but that is all I have."
Now the Nova Scotia government has decided to abandon the Coastal Protection Act that was given Royal Assent in 2019, Peach's son Stan says it only reaffirms what the family has known all along: that when it comes to erosion, his mother is on her own.
"It doesn't change anything for mom,” he said. “That house, I'm hoping it's going to outlast her. (But) what happens when she leaves there? Nobody's going to go into that house. Am I going to pay to tear it down? Not likely. It'll fall over the cliff before I ever do anything with it."
Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Amanda McDougall-Merrill spoke with Nova Scotia Environment Minister Tim Halman about the issue Tuesday afternoon, seeking clarification on whether municipalities and homeowners will have to bear the responsibility of coastal erosion.
"It is concerning. This is very, very important. We are still in the midst of the most recent weather event that is climate-related,” McDougall-Merrill said. "Without having great detail, it does seem like this is another download onto municipalities in terms of our bylaws and lack of enforcement. When you see this type of legislation, it's good to have a standard that's the same across the province.”
CTV News Atlantic reached out to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, and while they didn't address whether insurance rates for coastal owners might go up — or be denied altogether — they provided an emailed statement that said, in part, “The property and casualty insurance industry has observed an alarming increase in damage from severe weather over the last decade. As a result, coastal properties have become especially vulnerable to damage. We applaud the Nova Scotia government for taking action to help minimize these risks for residents.”
Stan Peach says the Port Morien property is now only about 15 metres from the cliff's edge, but his mother still intends to stay.
"She told them when they did a story on her for W5 on the erosion that they'll take her out of there feet-first, and I guess that's what's going to happen,” Peach said.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before Jasper can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes "for several weeks."
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six figure water bill.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.
Paris dazzles with a rainy Olympics opening ceremony on the Seine River
Celebrating its reputation as a cradle of revolution, Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rain-soaked, rule-breaking opening ceremony studded with stars and fantasy along the Seine River.