New Legislation to Encourage Land Conservation

New legislation introduced today, Nov. 5, calls for a property tax exemption on private property used for conservation.

Through the Conservation Property Tax Exemption Act, landowners opting to protect their land will be eligible for a property tax exemption. The act means that landowners can protect their land without being placed at a financial disadvantage from a property tax perspective.

In addition, the province will help ensure that municipalities see no loss in revenue by providing them with grants in lieu of property taxes for property exempted under the act.

"Our vision is to have one of the healthiest, cleanest environments in the world by 2020 and increasing land conservation efforts is an important part of this," said Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "More conservation will help create greener futures for each and every municipality in this province."

The legislation introduced today follows through on government's commitment to the environment, which is laid out in the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act, proclaimed in 2007. The act sets out 21 far-reaching goals for the province, ranging from reduced air emissions and waste to new energy standards for buildings and increased protection of land and water.

"We are removing a significant barrier to private land conservation to encourage owners of ecologically significant lands to protect them," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment. "This will help us reach our goal of protecting 12 per cent of Nova Scotia by the year 2015."