After more than two years of deliberation and three rounds of public consultation, Nova Scotia's Environment and Climate Change Minister, Tim Halman, officially announced on Monday that the Coastal Protection Act would not be proclaimed.
In response to this decision, Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM), stated, "NSFM will actively seek clarification on how infrastructure funding will be integrated into this new plan. The Federation is coordinating a forthcoming meeting for Mayors, Wardens, and Chief Administrative Officers to facilitate a deeper understanding of the provincial initiative and its impact on our members."
Expressing disappointment with the government's shift from a comprehensive provincial strategy, Bolivar-Getson emphasized NSFM's commitment to seeking clarity amidst the change.
During a press conference on Monday, Minister Halman highlighted the need to equip Nova Scotians with accurate information for informed decision-making regarding their properties, stating, "What we need to do is set Nova Scotians up for success and make sure that we support informed decision-making so that, as they make a decision about their property, they have the most up-to-date information about the hazards and risks."
The province has indicated its intention to provide municipalities with example land use by-law content to assist in regulating coastal protection in their respective communities. However, the completion of this work remains pending, with officials unable to provide a timeline on Monday.
Bolivar-Getson expressed concerns regarding the potential downloading of responsibilities onto municipalities, stating, "It is emphasized that municipalities will receive assistance in crafting their own planning frameworks and regulatory measures pertaining to coastal protection." She further added, "(Our organization) will persist in seeking clarification on the allocation of resources to support municipalities, particularly those in rural areas or with limited planning capabilities."