Protecting the Chignecto Isthmus against climate change

Key Takeaways:

• Significant investment of $650 million to protect the Chignecto Isthmus
• Collaborative effort between federal and provincial governments
• Raising 13 km of dyke system to mitigate flooding risks
• Vital transportation corridor handling $100 million in daily trade
• Historic infrastructure facing threats from climate change

A Critical Investment to Combat Climate Change

The governments of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia have announced a collaborative investment of $650 million to protect the Chignecto Isthmus from the increasingly destructive impacts of climate change. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have each committed $162.5 million towards the project, marking a significant step in safeguarding this essential link between the provinces.

The Vital Importance of the Chignecto Isthmus

The Chignecto Isthmus serves as a crucial transportation corridor connecting New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It includes the Trans Canada Highway and the Canadian National Railway, through which an estimated $100 million worth of goods and services pass each day. The corridor also contains vital infrastructure such as 138 kV and 345 kV electrical transmission lines and fiber-optic cables, essential for providing electricity and telecommunications across communities.

Rising Threats from Climate Change

A network of dykes and aboiteaux, originally installed in the late 1600s, currently protects the region from rising sea levels and storm surges. These structures safeguard numerous assets, including agricultural croplands, private properties, a wind farm, cultural sites, and a sewage treatment plant. However, increasing sea levels and coastal sinking are forecasted to threaten the existing dykes—and the communities and infrastructure they protect—before 2100.

Project Details: Reinforcing Historic Defenses

To mitigate the risk of flooding from sea water, the project will raise the height of the existing dyke system. Key components include:

• Enhancing at least 13 kilometers of dyke systems to strengthen flood defenses.
• Constructing three to five large aboiteaux , along with the replacement or addition of new small ones. Aboiteaux are culverts with gates that allow water to drain while preventing sea water from flowing inland.

A Unified Government Response

The announcement was made by Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Minister Kody Blois, Premier Susan Holt, and Minister Fred Tilley, exemplifying the unified approach among federal and provincial leaders. This joint effort demonstrates a shared commitment to protecting vital infrastructure and communities from the imminent challenges posed by climate change.

Securing the Future of Eastern Canada

By investing in the reinforcement of the Chignecto Isthmus, the governments aim to ensure the continued safety and prosperity of the region. The project not only preserves a critical trade and transportation route but also protects the livelihoods of communities in Sackville, New Brunswick, Amherst, Nova Scotia, and surrounding areas.

This substantial initiative reflects a proactive stance against climate threats, honoring the historical significance of the region’s infrastructure while adapting to modern challenges. As sea levels rise, such collaborative efforts are essential to safeguard communities and maintain the vital connections that support economies and everyday life.