Geoff Hurley on ” A Balanced Path” for Nova Scotia

In this Commentary, published in the Chronicle Herald on Mar 4, 2025, Geoff Hurley offers specific, practical recommendations for ensuring long-term well-being of Nova Scotians and our natural environment while moving ahead with more resource development in NS.

Mr. Hurleys’s perspective is informed by his many years as an environmental consultant which included his serving as the Senior Environmental Advisor for the Sable Offshore Energy Project to date “the largest natural resources development project in the history of the province” – and one that was concluded without significant environmental issues.

His comments are surely timely and constructive. In the interest of helping to see them more widely consdered, we asked Mr. Hurley for permission to reproduce them on NSFM, to which he kindly agreed.

COMMENTARY: A balanced path forward for Nova Scotia’s resource development and environmental sustainability

Nova Scotia faces a critical juncture in balancing the premier’s push for natural resource-driven economic growth with the imperative of environmental protection.

I reject the notion that Nova Scotia’s path forward requires false binaries between economic growth and environmental stewardship. Rather, the province’s position on this important issue should not be a blatant “no” to all potential options for natural resource development (including those currently banned in the province) but rather a cautionary “yes.”

Hopefully, Environment Minister Tim Halman was serious when he recently spoke about the “need for a balanced and sustainable approach to the development of Nova Scotia’s natural resources.” As Energy Minister Trevor Boudreau noted, “mature conversations” are essential — but they must translate into actionable, science-based policies.

By modernizing regulations, prioritizing renewables, engaging stakeholders equitably, and protecting ecosystems, the province can harness its natural resources responsibly. Premier Houston’s pro-development stance must be tempered with accountability to Nova Scotians’ long-term well-being, ensuring that today’s decisions do not compromise tomorrow’s sustainability.

Drawing on insights from recent policy debates and regulatory commitments made by the province, the following framework outlines a pragmatic approach to harmonizing these priorities:

    • Foster inclusive engagement of key stakeholders and indigenous groups by building social license through transparency as opposed to dismissing opposition as “special interests.”
    • Strengthen regulatory frameworks with long-term sustainability at the core
    • Support traditional industries (fishing, forestry) through sustainable practices by maintaining the Georges Bank moratorium on oil and gas development and fully adopting the Lahey Report’s ecological forestry recommendations.
    • Expand sector-specific regulations for emerging industries such as green hydrogen and mining of critical minerals like lithium and copper, ensuring alignment with the province’s Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act*.
    • Modernize environmental assessments to ensure that analysis and reporting are straightforward, concise, transparent and that they meet strict sustainability criteria, including protection of biodiversity and critical ecosystems.
    • Prioritize renewable energy and green technology by focusing on offshore wind and tidal energy, leveraging the province’s geographic advantages. Phase out coal-fired power.
    • Explore interprovincial partnerships for the Energy East pipeline revival.
    • Consider shale gas (hydraulic fracking) and coal bed methane development as alternatives to sources of natural gas using these technologies from other jurisdictions only if there is a plan to adequately mitigate concerns over greenhouse gas emissions, contamination of groundwater and watercourses, and increased risk of earthquakes and explosions.
    • Uphold the province’s 20 per cent protected lands target by 2030, halting industrial activity in proposed conservation areas, wildlife corridors and urban parks.
    • Integrate nature-based solutions (e.g., wetland restoration) into infrastructure planning to enhance resilience against severe weather events along the coast notably the Isthmus of Chignecto (critical transportation link to the rest of Canada).
    • In conclusion, the province should adopt a key guiding principle of the Sable Offshore Energy Project, the largest natural resources development project in the history of the province: “We will not sacrifice the environment for economics or expediency.”By adopting this principle, the province will foster a balanced approach to resource development, whilst preserving the natural beauty and ecological integrity consistent with our motto as “Canada’s Ocean Playground.”

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Geoffrey V. Hurley is a retired independent environmental consultant.
hurleyenvironment@gmail.com

*Note: GH refers above to the “Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act” (EGSPA), pivotal environmental legislation tabled by Mark Parent, Minister of Environment in the PC Gov of 2007; it received all party, unanimous approval and was widely applauded. The Houston PCs updated and replaced it (and the Liberal’s updated version if 2019) with the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, passed in October 2021; it includes the legislated commitment to 20% protection by 2030 (currently just under 14%) cited above.

From Mr. Hurley’s Linkedin profile

Geoffrey V. Hurley has been providing environmental advice to the offshore energy and fisheries sectors in Atlantic Canada and abroad since 1981. Through his firm, Hurley Environment Ltd., he has developed a proven track record of assisting clients in the private sector and government to achieve their goals and objectives. His expertise and professional approach to carrying out his work have earned him a high level of credibility and respect amongst his many contacts in the private sector, government, research community, non-governmental organizations, First Nations and stakeholder groups.