The interim leader of the provincial liberals is calling on the Houston government to reaffirm protecting 15 per cent of provincial land, with the deadline looming.
Nova Scotia made the commitment under the Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement to reach the target by the end of March.
In a release, Iain Rankin says if Nova Scotia does not meet its goal, it could put critical funding at risk.
“This matters not just for our environment, but because federal funding is on the line,” says Rankin. “If Nova Scotia fails to meet its commitments, Ottawa can claw that money back. With a massive deficit and growing financial pressures, every single dollar counts.”
It was in October when the former natural resources minister reaffirmed the province’s commitment and just last week, New Brunswick did the same.
Rankin says, in order for Nova Scotia to reach its target, an area of land roughly the size of Keijimkujik National Park would need to be protected by the end of March.
