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Locking In Park Protections

Full Title:
Protecting Nature and Provincial Parks Act

Summary#

This bill updates Nova Scotia’s Provincial Parks Act to strengthen long‑term protection for parks and help meet the province’s 2030 nature‑conservation goal. It moves oversight to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, makes it harder to remove land from parks, bans industrial activities in parks, and sets timelines to reach at least 20% protected land and water by 2030. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

  • Designation of a provincial park, or removing land from a park, would only be possible by a vote of the Legislature (not by regulation or ministerial order).
  • Industrial activities are banned inside parks, including mining, oil and gas, energy projects, commercial forestry, aquaculture, agriculture, and golf courses.
  • The Act applies to the provincial government itself (the “Crown”), not just private parties.
  • Oversight shifts to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
  • By March 31, 2028, the Minister must publish a list of candidate areas to help reach at least 20% protected land and water; by December 31, 2030, enough new areas must be designated to meet that target.
  • Technical updates tighten limits on shrinking or delisting parks and clarify how protected Crown lands under other conservation laws are treated.

What it means for you#

  • Park visitors

    • Expect parks to remain focused on nature, recreation, and conservation.
    • You should not see resource extraction or new golf courses inside parks.
    • More areas may be added to the protected network by 2030, offering more places to hike, camp, and enjoy nature.

  • Nearby residents and communities

    • Park boundaries will be more stable; removing park land would require a law passed by the Legislature.
    • Local industrial projects cannot be placed inside park boundaries.
    • New protected areas could be identified near some communities by 2028; there will be public notice through the candidate list.

  • Workers and businesses

    • Mining, oil and gas, commercial forestry, aquaculture, agriculture, energy projects, and golf course development are not allowed inside parks.
    • Projects may need to locate outside park boundaries or in non‑protected areas.
    • Tourism and outdoor recreation businesses that fit park purposes (like guiding, camping services) are more likely to align with the rules.

  • Landowners and land users

    • If your land is considered as a candidate protected area, it would appear on a public list by March 31, 2028.
    • If designated, new conservation rules would limit certain uses; details would depend on the type of protection used.

  • Government and public services

    • The Department of Environment and Climate Change would lead park and protection decisions.
    • Planning work is required to identify candidate areas and complete designations to meet the 20% target by 2030.

  • Timing

    • All changes take effect on January 1, 2027.
    • Candidate areas must be listed by March 31, 2028; final designations to reach at least 20% by December 31, 2030.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

  • Locks in park protections by requiring a full legislative vote to remove a park or take land out of one, making changes harder and more transparent.
  • Keeps industrial development out of parks, which supporters say protects wildlife, water, and recreation areas.
  • Helps meet Nova Scotia’s commitment to conserve at least 20% of its land and water by 2030, aligning with national and global biodiversity goals.
  • Clearer leadership under Environment and Climate Change can improve planning, monitoring, and accountability.
  • Stable, well‑protected parks can boost nature‑based tourism and community well‑being.

Opponents' View#

  • Reduces flexibility to adjust park boundaries or allow needed infrastructure, since any change would require passing a new law.
  • Bans on mining, energy projects, forestry, aquaculture, agriculture, and golf courses in parks could limit economic opportunities and related jobs in some regions.
  • Reaching the 20% protection target may put pressure on land availability for other uses and could create uncertainty for landowners near candidate areas.
  • Broad wording against “private development” inconsistent with the Act may cause confusion until guidance is issued.
  • Identifying, designating, and managing new protected areas could increase government costs and workloads, with unclear funding.