News release

Input on Coastal Protection Released

Environment and Climate Change

Nova Scotians have shared their input on the proposed regulations which will help protect the province’s coastline, and new construction on it, from the damaging impacts of climate change.

More than 230 submissions were received during last year’s consultation on regulations under the Coastal Protection Act. An overview of the feedback, from the public, municipalities, the real estate and insurance industries, and professional engineering, land surveying and planning organizations, is available at: https://novascotia.ca/coast/

Consultation with the Mi’kmaq remains ongoing.

“Nova Scotians are experiencing the impacts of climate change every day, and our coastline is literally on the frontline. We must work together to protect our coastline, and new construction along it, from the increased erosion, coastal flooding and tidal surges that climate change will continue to bring,” said Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “The Coastal Protection Act and its regulations, along with the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act and the upcoming climate plan, will give us the action plan and tools we need to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change, and ensure a healthy and sustainable future for our province. I want to thank all those took the time to provide input on the proposed regulations.”

The Coastal Protection Act creates protection zones and the regulations will set the rules and requirements for new construction in these zones, including the minimum distance from the water.

The Department will continue to work with municipalities, the Association of Nova Scotia Land Surveyors, Engineers Nova Scotia, Geoscientists Nova Scotia and the Mi’kmaq in the coming months as it finalizes the regulations. The goal is to have the regulations and the act, which is not yet proclaimed, take effect in 2023.

Quotes:

“As a coastal region, we see the effects of climate change every day. The decisions we make need to consider this reality and be adaptive to the sometimes dangerous and destructive outcomes. The provincial government has listened to the voices of concern on these issues, and we welcome the next steps toward regulations that will protect our communities and residents.”

– Amanda McDougall, Mayor, Cape Breton Regional Municipality

“The Insurance Bureau of Canada enthusiastically supports the Government of Nova Scotia’s work towards creating regulations to enable the new Coastal Protection Act. Nova Scotia’s coastal areas have been an integral part of the development of the province. It is important to our future that a plan is put in place to adapt to the reality of climate change and rising sea levels. The property and casualty insurance industry has observed an alarming increase in damage from severe weather over the last decade through increasing claims amounts. Coastal properties have become especially vulnerable to damage. When insurance is not available following a severe weather event, property owners may expect to draw on provincial disaster relief programs, which we all pay for through our taxes. While the decision to restrict the use of vulnerable coastal properties may be difficult, protecting Nova Scotia’s coastline is the right thing to do, both for our financial well-being and for the environment. We simply can’t wait any longer to act. The financial case is clear, but more importantly this is an important step forward to protect is the safety and well-being of people who live, work, and play along the coastline.”

– Amanda Dean, Vice-President, Atlantic, Insurance Bureau of Canada

Quick Facts:

  • most of the province’s 13,000 kilometres of coastline is vulnerable to the harmful impacts of climate change and many areas are already experiencing coastal flooding or facing erosion that threatens homes, cottages and businesses
  • the Coastal Protection Act, passed in April 2019, sets out clear rules to protect Nova Scotia’s coastline from the impact of climate change and ensure new homes and businesses are safer from sea-level rise and coastal flooding and erosion
  • the legislation does not apply to existing coastal homes and buildings, unless the owner intends to expand or rebuild
  • the government passed the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act in fall 2021
  • the climate plan will be launched this spring

Additional Resources:

Coastal Protection Act regulations – 2021 consultation documents

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