Municipalities call on re-elected Houston government to revisit coastal protection
The recent annual conference of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities held in Halifax saw municipal leaders renewing their call for the province to take the lead on coastal protection. This comes in the wake of the Houston government’s decision earlier this year to scrap the Coastal Protection Act, which would have regulated development in proximity to the shoreline.
Federation president Pam Mood emphasized that coastal protection is a provincial issue that municipalities cannot afford to take on. She stated, “We can’t let the work go, so we’ll continue to do what we can in the meantime while we advocate for the province to take it back. We need to find a way to help the government understand that any money we are spending needs to be taken on by the province.”
The Coastal Protection Act, passed with all-party support in 2019, was not proclaimed by the provincial government in February. Instead, they presented an action plan assigning responsibilities to property owners, municipalities, and the province. They also created a coastal hazards map showing residents potential sea level rise and storm surge scenarios for the year 2100. Additionally, the government promised to develop sample bylaws that municipalities can use to regulate coastal protection in their communities.
The move to scrap the act and shift responsibility to municipalities was met with criticism from the opposition. The Liberals accused the government of downloading difficult decisions and rulemaking to municipalities that may not have the expertise for such planning work.
In response to the increased pressure on municipalities, the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities hired Gordon Smith to assist local governments in creating their own coastal bylaws. Smith, who previously worked with the province on coastal protection, spoke at the federation’s conference and highlighted the existing resources available to support municipalities in their efforts.
However, Robert Parker, warden for the Municipality of Pictou County, urged Premier Tim Houston to reconsider and implement provincewide rules for coastal protection. He emphasized the importance of securing the future for generations to come.
In a statement from Nova Scotia’s Department of Environment and Climate Change, municipal leadership was acknowledged as key to coastal protection. The statement emphasized the Coastal Protection Action Plan as a tool to empower municipalities and property owners in safeguarding coastal communities.
The ongoing discussions and advocacy for provincial leadership in coastal protection highlight the importance of collaborative efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change and coastal erosion. It is crucial for all levels of government to work together to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of Nova Scotia’s coastal areas.
