Coastal Protection Act: A Future Scenario Analysis of Coastal Policy in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has the longest provincial coastline in Canada and 70% of its residents located in coastal areas, yet is the only Atlantic province without a coastal policy. Under the increasing threat of climate change to coastal... [ view full abstract ]

Nova Scotia has the longest provincial coastline in Canada and 70% of its residents located in coastal areas, yet is the only Atlantic province without a coastal policy. Under the increasing threat of climate change to coastal ecosystems, communities and industries, the Government of Nova Scotia was elected in 2017 on a promise to develop a Coastal Protection Act (CPA).

In collaboration with the Ecology Action Centre (EAC), this study considered the potential for a CPA to improve coastal sustainability and address key coastal issues (development regulation, ecosystem protection, hazard management) in comparison to policy alternatives. A policy analysis of existing provincial legislation and stakeholder interviews informed a future scenario analysis of four coastal policy outcomes for Nova Scotia: the No Policy Change, Provincial Policy Amendments, Municipal Coastal By-Law Model and CPA scenarios.

Results indicate that a CPA is the most desirable and feasible scenario offering comprehensive and consistent protection of coastal areas across the province and meeting growing stakeholder demand for new provincial legislation. Public education, community and Mi’kmaw consultation, stakeholder collaboration and complementary policy development are recommended as additional actions for the EAC to take in addressing coastal issues no matter the policy outcome. This study, through the scenarios, also provides the EAC and other stakeholders with a visual tool to illustrate the implications of current coastal policy decisions on future coastal sustainability in Nova Scotia.