We write as civil society organizations, which work collaboratively with Indigenous groups, governments, industry, and coastal communities to support Canada in reaching its commitments to protect the marine environment in Atlantic Canada (Waponahkik). While we are pleased that Canada’s “A Force of Nature” has been released, we are highly concerned that efforts in Atlantic Canada have stalled as a result of provincial government opposition and that opportunities to leverage federal commitments to support industrial development are not being taken to support conservation.

We are among the conservation and environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from across the country that worked with your government for over four years to help modernize the Fisheries Act, one of Canada’s oldest laws. The Fisheries Act is also one of Canada’s strongest environmental laws, particularly following the 2019 modernization and restoration of lost protections that occurred in 2012. We have continued working in good faith with your department to implement the Act and to protect fish and fish habitat.

Our clients continue to have serious concerns about how critical habitat is purportedly identified in the 2025 Proposed Update, especially when compared to the clear identification of critical habitat in the original Recovery Strategy for the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus melodus) in Canada (2012 Recovery Strategy).

East Coast Environmental Law participated in the Regional Assessment as one of many public stakeholder groups. While participating in the assessment, we also contributed to federal and provincial law reform initiatives that were establishing new regulatory regimes for offshore wind development in Atlantic Canada.

East Coast Environmental Law participated in the Regional Assessment as one of many public stakeholder groups. While participating in the assessment, we also contributed to federal and provincial law reform initiatives that were establishing new regulatory regimes for offshore wind development in Atlantic Canada.

In January 2025, the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Nova Scotia (“Regional Assessment”) concluded. This backgrounder offers an overview of the Regional Assessment, explaining its origins and purpose as well as the role it is expected to play in the future regulation of offshore wind developments in Nova Scotia.

Letter to the Minister of Natural Resources on the State of Biodiversity Report in Nova Scotia

Joint Letter to Minister LePage on Shoreline Habitats

Submission on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 Proposed Plan of Priorities and Proposed Watch List Approach

Submission on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 Right to a Healthy Environment Draft Implementation Framework.

An environmental rights advocacy toolkit prepared by East Coast Environmental Law to support public engagement in a campaign to win a right to a healthy environment in Nova Scotia.

A model bill of Environmental Rights and Responsibilities for Nova Scotia, drafted by East Coast Environmental Law to support a campaign to win a right to a healthy environment in Nova Scotia.

An evaluation of the Government of New Brunswick’s performance under its Species at Risk Act.

A report evaluating the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s performance under the province’s Endangered Species Act.

Under the Fisheries Act, one of Canada’s oldest laws enacted over 150 years ago, the federal government is charged with protecting our oceans, clean water and fish habitat. When changes were made five years ago, all political parties supported the updated law, and enabled the regulatory and policy framework to protect, restore and sustain Canada’s fisheries – and the waters that support them – for the benefit of generations to come. The modernization of the Act was widely viewed as long overdue.

East Coast Environmental Law is a regional charity that provides public-interest environmental law services throughout Atlantic Canada. We advocate for progressive environmental law and policy, provide public legal education, and share our legal skills to support others working to prevent or redress environmental harms.