Nova ScotiaThe Nova Scotia government announced about 1,300 hectares of new land for 16 parks and other protected areas on Wednesday at a time when it’s being criticized for contemplating development opportunities in those very places.Critics say protection is meaningless if development is permitted in the areasMichael Gorman · CBC News · Posted: Nov 05, 2025 3:34 PM EST | Last Updated: 4 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesAn aerial view of Blue Sea Beach in Cumberland County, one of the new provincial parks announced by the Nova Scotia government. (The Government of Nova Scotia)The Nova Scotia government announced about 1,300 hectares of new land for 16 parks and other protected areas on Wednesday at a time when it’s being criticized for contemplating development opportunities in those very places.A news release said the new land includes expansions of the Canso Coastal Barrens Wilderness Area (238 hectares) and Bonnet Lake Barrens Wilderness Area (258 hectares) in Guysborough County, and the Bowers Meadows Wilderness Area (48 hectares) in Shelburne County.A new nature reserve in Richmond County, dubbed the Gros Nez Nature Reserve (52 hectares), is being created and the Ashfield Nature Reserve in Inverness County is expanding by 35 hectares.“Nova Scotians and visitors love our provincial parks for their natural beauty and all the opportunities they offer to get out and explore the great outdoors,” Natural Resources Minister Kim Masland said in the news release.“These newly designated parks will continue to provide spaces for outdoor recreation and education, while also supporting their surrounding communities with jobs and other economic activity.”The news comes as the government is facing criticism for recent comments by Masland that she’s open to conversations about development within any protected area.One such potential development is a proposal by Cabot Cape Breton to build an 18-hole golf course in the boundaries of West Mabou Beach Provincial Park.On Wednesday, the government also announced 11 newly designated provincial parks:Blue Sea Beach, Cumberland County (177 hectares).Brule Shore, Colchester County (nine hectares).Cape Jack Beach, Antigonish County (0.7 hectares).Fundy, Annapolis County (56.5 hectares).Lower East Chezzetcook, Halifax County (182 hectares).MacCormack, Victoria County (4.3 hectares).Mickey Hill, Annapolis County (72.8 hectares).Mount William, Halifax County (27.7 hectares).Point Michaud Beach, Richmond County (60 hectares).Port Shoreham Beach, Guysborough County (39 hectares).Trout Brook, Inverness County (7.4 hectares).NDP environment critic Lisa Lachance said the announcement by the Progressive Conservatives “means very little” when they’re also open to development within the very parks they say they’re protecting.“These parks and protected areas are important to Nova Scotians, and people expect their government to step up and protect our province’s wilderness areas,” Lachance said in a news release.MORE TOP STORIESABOUT THE AUTHORMichael Gorman covers the Nova Scotia legislature for CBC, with additional focuses on health care and rural communities. Contact him with story ideas at michael.gorman@cbc.ca
N.S. gov’t protects 1,300 hectares of land amid criticism over its openness to development
