N.S. wants Canada to bear the full costs for Chignecto Isthmus
CTV
After much back-and-forth between the provincial and federal governments, Nova Scotia has moved forward with mitigation work on the Chignecto Isthmus, but the province’s premier says the federal government will have to cover the bill.
After much back-and-forth between the provincial and federal governments, Nova Scotia has moved forward with mitigation work on the Chignecto Isthmus, but the province’s premier says the federal government will have to cover the bill.
Nova Scotia Premier, Tim Houston, said the province would be prepared to move to the courts if Ottawa doesn’t bear the full costs associated with mitigation work on the Chignecto Isthmus, which is the only piece of land connecting the province to the rest of the country.
The Chignecto Isthmus is an integral point for trading between N.S. and the rest of the country, as any goods being transported by land must enter and exit through the Isthmus. It sees nearly $100 million of trade every day, and $35 billion each year, according to Houston.
He adds that the Isthmus is vulnerable, and one severe weather event could have “cascading ramifications.”
“It’s impossible to properly stress the importance of this corridor to our region and country,” said Houston.
The federal government has tabled to cover half of the spending on mitigation costs, but Houston says that wouldn’t be enough.
In the letter, Houston says there are a number of times the federal government has covered the full costs of similar infrastructure projects which were deemed integral to the nation, pointing to the Champlain Bridge in Montreal, which cost around $4.2 billion.
