Protecting and conserving habitat and species calls for transformative change and innovation across all sectors-it requires collaboration with Indigenous peoples, all governments, industry, and community stakeholders. To this end, the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia are working together to protect and conserve biodiversity, habitat, and species at risk in Nova Scotia.
Today, Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and the Honourable Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change for Nova Scotia, announced the Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement to advance nature conservation and protection across the province.
Representatives of the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia also attended the announcement. This unique collaboration will support the implementation of the Nature Agreement and all partners will work toward its target outcomes, including support for Mi'kmaq-led nature priorities and initiatives.
The Government of Canada will invest up to $28.5 million over three years to implement the Agreement and help protect nature. This will support the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia's leadership in conservation, increase protection of sensitive habitats and recovery actions for species at risk and migratory birds, and protect and conserve new Crown and private land in Nova Scotia. With the support of this Agreement, Nova Scotia aims to increase the amount of protected and conserved areas within the province by 82,500 hectares by March 2026.
Together, Canada and Nova Scotia will seek to accelerate the conservation of at least 20 percent of the total land and water mass in the province by 2030 to help achieve Canada's goal of protecting 30 percent of its land and inland water by 2030.
It will take collective ambition to restore, conserve, and protect the natural safety net granted by biodiversity. Through this Agreement, Nova Scotia will work to support Canada's domestic and international biodiversity commitments, including the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
