Coastal Protection Act
Government has established the Coastal Protection Act to protect natural ecosystems and make sure new homes and businesses are safer from sea level rise, coastal flooding and coastal erosion. We consulted with Nova Scotians about how exactly the legislation should work. You can read the results of the consultation in the What We Heard report.
The Coastal Protection Act was passed in 2019. The act will take effect once the accompanying regulations are fully developed and approved.
The regulations will create protections for sensitive coastal ecosystems and make sure construction is at a safer height and distance from coastal shorelines.
Nova Scotia has 13,000 kilometres of coastline and much of the coast is vulnerable to the harmful impacts of climate change. Many areas are already experiencing coastal flooding or facing erosion that threatens homes, cottages and businesses.
Coastal Protection Act Regulations
In 2021, government invited Nova Scotians to provide their input on the proposed regulations that accompany the Coastal Protection Act. You can read the results of the consultation in the What We Heard report.
We thank all individuals, organizations, municipalities and rightsholders who participated. The feedback we collected will help us make sure the Coastal Protection Act achieves its goals.
Government also consulted with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia under a separate Terms of Reference process. This process was still ongoing when the What We Heard report was finalized.
Consultation documents
Proposed Coastal Protection Act Regulations (2021)
- Proposed Coastal Protection Act Regulations at a glance (PDF 606 kB)
- Part 1 – Overview of Proposed Coastal Protection Act Regulation (PDF 827 kB)
- Part 2 – A detailed guide to Proposed Coastal Protection Act Regulation (PDF 1.7 MB)
Coastal Protection Act (2018)
- Coastal Protection Act Consultation Report (PDF 590 kB)
- Coastal Protection Act Consultation Document (PDF 858 kB)
Related information
Contact us
Coastal Protection Act Consultation
1903 Barrington St., PO Box 442
Halifax, NS, B3J 2P8
Email: coastal@novascotia.ca