Anthea Fleming

Crown land in Nova Scotia is publicly owned and managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables on behalf of all citizens. As a shared public asset, it provides opportunities for recreation, including hiking, fishing, hunting (in season and with a license), and exploring the province’s natural landscapes [2]. Trails across Crown lands support outdoor activity, with usage guided by regional signage and stewardship practices. This public access, however, comes with a responsibility to protect the ecological integrity of the land. Activities such as cutting vegetation, disturbing wildlife, or removing plants without proper authorization are prohibited [2]. Crown land therefore, plays key roles in supporting public enjoyment whilst also conserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems. Selling Crown land without strong protections jeopardizes both public access and environmental stewardship. This policy brief proposes a legislative solution that requires any sale of coastal Crown land to include permanent, legally enforceable public access provisions

Disclaimer: The French version of this text has been auto-translated and has not been approved by the author.