Ideally, RAs will be used to contribute regional-scale cumulative effects assessments and enhance our collective understanding of how projects and activities contribute to long-term sustainability in the face of the climate emergency, extinction-level biodiversity loss, and global pollution. Used appropriately and effectively, regional assessment is a valuable—even essential—tool to facilitate early planning, consultation, engagement, and scientific study, which will make future, project-level planning and assessment processes more rigorous, consistent, and predictable.

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.

The Nova Scotia Government requested the proposed RA to accelerate oil and gas exploration by exempting projects from impact assessment (“IA”). That contradicts the fundamental purpose of RAs under the Impact Assessment Act. RAs are intended to be independent planning tools that support project-level IAs through the study of regional impacts, cumulative effects and long-term sustainability. RAs are not intended to fast-track resource development by exempting projects from IAs.

Canada’s commitment to protecting at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 is grounded in Canadian and international law and policy, and is a necessary contribution to global conservation efforts intended to prevent ecosystem collapse and biodiversity loss in the ocean.

This submission responds to the questions posed in the Call for Information feedback form on the CNSOER website, addressing those questions in the same order in which they appear online.

Recently, the urgency of the climate crisis has been growing in tandem with geopolitical tensions that are motivating Canada to accelerate energy projects that can strengthen energy independence and provide greater energy security. Breaking barriers to interprovincial trade, exploring possibilities for regional collaboration, and finding ways to build new energy infrastructure faster are among the many aspirations of the current political moment.

The momentum is real, and the moment feels rare — a convergence of economic opportunity, climate ambition, and political will. Shortly after Wind West was named as a future addition to the Building Canada Act project list, Nova Scotia’s Premier released a bold strategic plan and took out a full front-page newspaper ad to rally public support.

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.

Submission to the Canada-Nova Scotia Energy Regulator on the Petroleum-related Call for Bids NS25-1P.

The development of the MPA Network Plan has involved more than a decade of extensive investment from many stakeholders and rightsholders, as well as public consultation from communities in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Given this level of engagement and the support it reflects, it is both timely and appropriate for the federal government to move forward with its release as soon as possible.

The Government of Canada sought input on an Intentions Paper in which it proposes to develop a regulatory framework for offshore sub-seabed geological carbon dioxide (CO2) storage. This work is being undertaken as part of Canada’s Carbon Management Strategy.

Joint Letter to Minister re: Fisheries Act Implementation

East Coast Environmental Law’s submission on the proposed Wind Energy Areas (“WEAs”) that the Government of Canada and Government of Nova Scotia have presented as prospective locales for offshore wind development.

SeaBlue Canada Submission: Engagement on Offshore Wind Energy Areas for Nova Scotia

East Coast Environmental Law’s Submission to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada on the Draft Terms of Reference for the Regional Assessment of the St. Lawrence River Area.

A review of federal Crown law and policy frameworks to identify existing mechanisms to manage underwater noise pollution in Canada.