Environmental assessment: engagement

The Government of Nova Scotia is updating environmental assessment legislation. Share your feedback to help shape legislation that supports a clean, sustainable future for Nova Scotia.

About the engagement

Nova Scotia's environmental assessment legislation and regulations were last updated in 2008. Through the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, the Government of Nova Scotia is modernizing and improving environmental assessment legislation by 2024. This process will take into consideration:

  • cumulative impacts
  • diversity, equity and inclusion
  • independent review
  • Netukulimk (PDF)
  • climate change

Nova Scotians are invited to share feedback about Nova Scotia’s environmental assessment legislation. Mi’kmaq organizations and communities, businesses, organizations and industry representatives are encouraged to participate.

Get informed

Environmental assessments help make sure that that the environment isn’t adversely impacted by development. For the assessment process, businesses provide a project proposal, including research about potential environmental impact. The public can review and comment on project proposals. Feedback on project proposals is then considered by government when deciding if and how the project can proceed.

Environmental assessments need to:

  • provide a process for the public to share feedback and have their voices heard
  • respect Mi’kmaq Aboriginal and treaty rights
  • provide clear information for businesses, including timelines
  • help government make informed decisions

Learn more about the environmental assessment engagement: Modernizing Environmental Assessment Engagement Guide (PDF).

How to participate

Survey closed on 6 October 2023.

Next steps

Feedback will be reviewed by government and help inform environmental assessment process and legislation changes.

More information about the engagement

You can send questions about the environmental assessment engagement to .

Contact

Department of Environment and Climate Change
Environmental assessment engagement
2085-1903 Barrington Street
PO Box 442
Halifax, NS B3J 2P8

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