MEDIA RELEASE: Green Nova Scotia First Concerned With Provincial Override of Municipalities’ Responsibilities

For Immediate Release

Green Nova Scotia First Concerned With Provincial Override of Municipalities’ Responsibilities 

In March 2025, Minister John A. Lohr sent a letter to all mayors and wardens advising them that the Province was setting a province wide maximum setback for industrial wind turbines to 4x’s the turbine height from a residence (ie: will reduce the setback from the 2km included in Colchester land use planning to 800m). 

This heavy-handed approach overrode years of work and significant investment of time & resources by a number of municipalities and their constituents to develop appropriate safeguards against the risks of industrial wind turbines. Those safeguards were the result of a cooperative effort by community volunteers, municipal councils and staff.  We find it unconscionable that the Province has ignored the decisions made by duly elected councils and have not considered impacts on residents.

It is very disappointing that the Province would ignore the voice of communities and impose drastically reduced safeguards without municipal or public consultation in a move that only benefits the developers. Smaller setbacks could result in greater turbine density in a specific area.

Further, on February 11, 2025, Minister Lohr sent a letter to municipalities asking them to publicly signal their support for "greater resource development within our province" by letter or press release. The Premier also repealed the ban on fracking and uranium without any public consultation. 

Pending bills could further erode the ability of municipalities to effectively represent their residents if the province continues to override decisions made at a municipal level that the province may not agree with.

In our view, municipal councils are elected to represent their constituents and community interest, not to act as cheerleaders for the agenda of the provincial government of the day. Minister Lohr’s approach disrespects the authority and responsibilities of municipal councillors.  

We are troubled by the behaviour of the provincial government towards municipal authorities.We understand that there are a number of municipal council members across the Province who share our confusion and concern. On the one hand, the provincial government is prepared to step in and override municipal land use regulations around wind turbine setbacks. On the other hand, the provincial government refused to implement the Costal Protection Act and has delegated that responsibility to the Municipalities. In whose interest is the Province acting? 

On April 1st, the province released a Guide for Municipalities on Coastal Protection and Municipal Land Use By-Laws. One wonders if the province will again step in and override any Coastal Protection ByLaws by Municipalities that they do not agree with. 

Call To Action: 

Green Nova Scotia First is requesting that concerned citizens contact their MLA to voice their concerns regarding the provincial overrides and to voice their support for their Municipalities. The province and local municipalities must work together to build a strong and sustainable Nova Scotia with consultation with Mi’kmaq and the public. 

Media Contact:  Madeline Conacher, info@greennovascotiafirst.ca  www.greennovacotfirst.ca