News release

Public Safety, Renewable Energy Legislation Advances Nova Scotia Opportunities

10 September 2024 | 1:35 PM

Agriculture

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Natural Resources and Renewables

Service Nova Scotia

Amendments to several pieces of legislation introduced today, September 10, will advance Nova Scotia opportunities through public safety measures, promoting the renewable energy industry and strengthening regulations for important industries in the province.

“We’re making changes that help improve public safety and strengthen industries in rural Nova Scotia,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. “We want our people to flourish and our industries to boom. These amendments are taking us in that direction.”

The Advancing Nova Scotia Opportunities Act is an omnibus bill that addresses seven pieces of legislation:

the Forests Act, to increase public protection from the ever-growing risk of wildfires:
- increasing fines for charges requiring a court appearance
- removing exemptions to daily burn restrictions
the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation (Nova Scotia) Act, to expand the mandate of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board to regulate offshore renewable energy projects and power lines
the Marine Renewable-energy Act, to ensure a timely path forward for offshore wind development
the Gas Distribution Act, to support investments in low-carbon fuels such as hydrogen and renewable natural gas; gas distribution is regulated by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board
the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act, to improve the licensing process for low-impact sustainable aquaculture in response to extensive consultation with the industry and other stakeholders
the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission Act, to update language reflecting its remaining Maritime provincial members
the Public Procurement Act, to enable changes that support local businesses competing for government contracts, as announced during the launch of the Nova Scotia Loyal program in July; a Nova Scotian business that is within 10 per cent of a leading bid from outside the province will be awarded the contract, within Canadian Free Trade Agreement limits.

Quick Facts:

in May, the Province issued a proclamation for the 2024 wildfire season to apply the daily burn restrictions to all provincial, municipal and private campgrounds; the amendments makes this change permanent
amendments supporting offshore wind will position Nova Scotia for the first call for bids in 2025 and help Nova Scotia and Canada, as well as other countries, achieve climate change goals
the fisheries generate about $2.5 billion annually in exports; the aquaculture sector generates $120 million for the Nova Scotia economy
there are three licensed active harness racing tracks in Nova Scotia regulated by the commission – Truro Raceway, Northside Downs and Inverness Raceway