Restore coastal protection resolve
Provincial legislation would provide framework
CARP Nova Scotia is profoundly disappointed by the provincial government’s reversal of its commitment to proclaim the Coastal Protection Act.
As an organization of active and engaged older citizens, we take seriously our responsibilities toward future generations and have deep concerns about the impact of this decision now and into the future.
The coast of Nova Scotia is widely recognized as our most distinguishing natural feature and most valuable natural asset. Therefore, responsible regulation for our coastal zone should be one of the province’s highest priorities environmentally, culturally, socially and economically. The increasing impacts of climate change make this prioritization ever more critical.
There have been several unsuccessful attempts in the past to modernize legislation, policies and regulations for managing Nova Scotia’s highenergy and dynamic coastal environment. So, we were encouraged when the Coastal Protection Act was passed in 2019 with all-party support and when the newly elected Houston government committed to implementation of this much-needed legislation in 2021.
Last fall, CARP NS optimistically contributed to a third round of public consultation, which we understood was the final step toward bringing the legislation into full force. Our submission made a strong case for swift proclamation.
Like many other Nova Scotians, CARP NS was caught completely off guard on Feb. 26 when the government announced that it would not proclaim the legislation and would shift responsibility for coastal protection to municipalities and coastal landowners with the government in a support role, providing only information and guidance.
Given the stature and significance of Nova Scotia’s 13,300-kilometre coastline as the province’s defining natural landscape, this markedly diminished provincial involvement is simply not enough.
LACK OF TRANSPARENCY
We are particularly troubled by the government’s refusal to release the results of the most recent public consultation, which directly preceded the decision to change course so dramatically. Those who made the effort to contribute can only speculate on the reasons behind the decision, highlighting our broader concern about lack of openness and transparency in government decision making.
Notwithstanding our concern about the process, it is clear that it will be much more difficult to protect our coastal areas without the authority of provincial legislation.
There is every reason to anticipate a patchwork of coastal protection policies and practices will emerge as Nova Scotia’s 49 municipal units attempt to negotiate varying interests, priorities and capacities across diverse communities. How will municipalities, one by one and on their own, withstand the pressures that appear to have motivated the provincial government to backtrack on its commitment and resolve?
Further, the reliance on coastal landowners to make informed land use and development decisions places undue onus on individuals “to do the right thing.”
The absence of strong, clear provincial legislation and regulation leaves decision making open to interpretation, giving licence to those determined to build in precarious and unstable seaside settings to push forward with problematic and regrettable shoreline development.
We acknowledge that the 15-point action plan released as an alternative to the legislation contains several provisions that are constructive and useful in guiding local actions by municipalities and landowners. However, these guidelines on their own are unlikely to be fully effective in the absence of a framework provided by provincial legislation and regulation.
Whatever the approach adopted, all parties — the provincial government, municipalities, coastal property owners and Nova Scotians generally — must direct priority attention to the effective protection of coastal ecosystems, coastal residents and their properties, and community infrastructure in coastal settings. We are confident of wide agreement with this proposition.
MANAGE COASTLINE RESPONSIBLY
We hope the sobering prospect of the provincial withdrawal from lead responsibility will cause Nova Scotians to dig deep and think seriously about the need for responsible management of our province’s iconic coastal environment. The many who have responded publicly to the recent announcement have called for provincial leadership and for policy consistency. Few, if any, have spoken out in support of the government’s currently preferred hands-off approach.
The case for prominent provincial involvement remains obvious and compelling. The provincial government’s own climate change plan recognizes and highlights this need. With the downloading of responsibilities, municipalities are in need not only of guidance but also of direction, as many of them have publicly stated. Coastal landowners require clarity and certainty regarding appropriate and acceptable coastal land use.
Government, therefore, is urged to resurrect the Coastal Protection Act. Given the extensive public and stakeholder critical reaction to the recent announcement, it is essential that the provincial government and municipalities engage fully and effectively as partners. Such a partnership framework, built on collaboration and co-operation, would demonstrate commitment to the “solutionist” approach espoused by Premier Tim Houston in his mandate letters to members of the provincial cabinet.
As residents of a coastal province, surrounded almost entirely by the ocean and susceptible to the projected impacts of climate change and rising sea level, Nova Scotians should expect no less.
Ron Snow is chair of the Canadian Association for Retired Persons (CARP) Nova Scotia, a non-profit organization that advocates for improved health care and financial security for Canadians as they age.