BILL NO. 445

(as introduced)

1st Session, 64th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
2 Charles III, 2024

 

Private Member's Bill

 

Provincial Lake Advisory Commission Act

 

Lisa Lachance
Halifax Citadel–Sable Island

First Reading: March 22, 2024

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

 

An Act to Establish
a Provincial Lake Advisory Commission

WHEREAS Nova Scotia's lakes are at greater risk due to human activity, development and climate change;

AND WHEREAS those conditions are projected to lead to continued increases in toxic blue-green algae blooms;

AND WHEREAS blue-green algae blooms pose health risks to humans and animals and restrict community use of waterways;

THEREFORE be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 This Act may be cited as the Provincial Lake Advisory Commission Act.

2 In this Act,

"Commission" means the Provincial Lake Advisory Commission established under Section 3;

"Minister" means the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

3 (1) Subject to Section 6, the Minister shall establish a Provincial Lake Advisory Commission for the purpose of conserving lakes and protecting them from the harmful effects of human activity, development and climate change.

(2) The Commission's composition must, to the extent possible, include representation from

(a) community members;

(b) all levels of government;

(c) environmental advocacy groups;

(d) experts from relevant academic and scientific fields;

(e) African Nova Scotians; and

(f) First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

(3) To carry out the purpose referred to in subsection (1), the Commission shall consider and, in the form and within the time periods required by the Minister, make recommendations to the Minister respecting

(a) monitoring programs;

(b) reporting;

(c) support for community stewardship;

(d) restrictions on nutrients and contaminants;

(e) public education;

(f) climate change mitigation; and

(g) any other matter the Commission considers relevant.

4 (1) The Minister shall report annually to the House of Assembly on the progress made toward implementing the Commission's recommendations.

(2) A report under subsection (1) must be made available to the public.

5 Within five years after the coming into force of this Act, and every five years thereafter, the Minister shall undertake a review of this Act.

6 The money required for the purpose of this Act must be paid out of money appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.

 

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