The province has released templates for municipalities to write their own coastal protection by-laws.
Along with the examples, the province will give cities $1 million over three years to implement coastal protection laws, as well as $344,106 to create a climate policy analyst position.
“These new resources will help municipalities like the CBRM take action now to better protect our infrastructure and natural shoreline, ensuring our communities are preserved for future generations to enjoy for many years to come,” wrote Cecil Clarke, Mayor of Cape Breton Regional Municipality, in the news release.
Environmental advocates have called for the province to create coastal protection laws since the Progressive Conservatives scrapped the act in 2024. The act was previously passed with support from all parties in 2019.
The province replaced the act with the Coastal protection Action Plan, a resource bank that provides guidelines for coastal development without any regulation.
At a rally on May 8, 2024, the Warden for the Municipality of Pictou County, Robert Parker, said the guidelines in the plan are not enough.
“That’s no more the right thing to do than say, ‘Here’s the information on driving on the highway. You pick the speed you think you should go,’” said Parker.
The by-law examples would help cities regulate development around the coast as climate change increases the risk of flooding, erosion and rising sea levels, according to a news release from the province.
The examples were prepared by the Upland Urban Planning and Design company after consulting municipalities, the release said.
