A recent poll indicates that the majority of residents in Nova Scotia are against allowing private development in provincial parks and protected areas. The survey, conducted online by the Ecology Action Centre, revealed that nearly 80% of participants opposed the construction of facilities like golf courses, hotels, and spas in legally safeguarded regions. Specifically, close to 60% of respondents expressed strong opposition to such developments, while only 4% showed full support for them.
The survey, which involved 540 Nova Scotians and was carried out by Narrative Research from May 19 to 28, aimed to ensure a representative sample by establishing quotas based on region, gender, and age, as per Statistics Canada’s 2021 census data. Notably, no margin of error was applied to the results.
Following an attempt by Cabot golf company to build a golf course in West Mabou Beach Provincial Park, Premier Tim Houston announced in November that the project would not proceed. However, despite some interest in the golf course moving forward, Lindsay Lee of the Ecology Action Centre emphasized that the majority of Nova Scotians want protected lands to remain untouched.
Community members, such as Nadine Hunt, Chair of the West Mabou Beach and Trails Committee, agree with the survey findings. Hunt highlighted the increasing support for West Mabou Beach Provincial Park over the past eight years and stressed the importance of stronger legislation to permanently safeguard protected areas.
Both Hunt and Lee expressed hope that the provincial government would take into account the survey results and cease further development proposals. They emphasized the significance of the Provincial Parks Act, noting that the government should interpret the term “benefit of the public” carefully. The Department of Natural Resources mentioned that the province has expanded its protected land to over 800,000 hectares in the past four years, exceeding the size of Prince Edward Island, and remains open to discussions on new economic opportunities.
