Coastal Protection Implementation Act

Nova Scotia's Bill 35 (Coastal Protection Implementation Act) is a opposition-tabled bill forcing the Houston PC government to bring into force the Coastal Protection Act (S.N.S. 2019, c. 3) passed under the previous McNeil Liberal government but never proclaimed. The 2019 Act would impose setback restrictions on new construction within coastal-erosion and storm-surge zones identified by the province. Nova Scotia is the most coastal-erosion-vulnerable province in Canada, with the Centre for Climate Adaptation estimating $700 million in coastal-asset exposure by 2050. The Houston government has refused to proclaim the Act, arguing it must first complete provincial coastal-mapping work.