Release:

The Province is supporting three Annapolis Valley community projects to help face climate change.

The Town of Kentville, the Margaretsville Shore Society and the Canning and District Lions Club have received funding from the Province for projects that help with flooding, coastal protection and energy costs.

Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced the support today, July 27, in Kentville.

“Climate change impacts communities in different ways, and these projects show the power of local action,” said Minister Halman. “Whether it is reducing flood risk, protecting coastlines or helping a food bank stay operational during extreme weather, these initiatives are making communities stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future.”

The three projects and the funding amounts are:
– the Town of Kentville has received $235,200 to design critical stormwater infrastructure upgrades in the high-risk Crescent Avenue flood zone
– the Margaretsville Shore Society in Annapolis County has received $96,310 for a coastal protection project that will help protect the community from coastal erosion and storm surges, including creating a living shoreline and improvements to the community’s breakwater
– the Canning and District Lions Club has received $132,231 to install a solar system with battery backup that will help keep the Canning Area Food Bank operating during power outages, while saving money on energy costs.

The funding is provided through the government’s Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund. Round 3 of funding put a focus on coastal protection projects.

Quotes:
“This investment is great news for Kentville. It will help us take meaningful action to protect our community from the impacts of climate change while making sure our infrastructure is ready for the future. We’re grateful for the Province’s support as we continue building a stronger, more resilient Kentville.” 
— Andrew Zebian, Mayor, Town of Kentville

“This grant will enable us to install solar panels to help reduce operating costs for both the Canning and District Lions Club and the Canning Area Food Bank. It will thus allow us to direct our resources to where they matter the most: supporting local families who are experiencing food insecurity; financial assistance to cover basic medical or living costs; and other community programs and services that benefit members of our community.” 
— William Lyons, former president, Canning and District Lions Club

“The community of Margaretsville is proud of the contributions we have made to Nova Scotia’s prosperity, and we are grateful for the public’s support as we now try to manage the growing threat of climate change. This investment in our breakwater and shoreline is an important step toward protecting our residents, visitors, infrastructure and coastal environment over the long term.” 
— Adam Lemieux, President, Margaretsville Shore Society

“Building resilient communities requires local leadership, innovation and a commitment to taking action, and the Town of Kentville, the Margaretsville Shore Society and the Canning District Lions Club are leading by example. While each project takes a unique approach – from reducing flood risks and strengthening coastal protection to investing in clean energy and emergency preparedness – they share a common goal: helping communities adapt to climate change and build a more sustainable future. Through these investments, these organizations are protecting local assets, supporting residents and demonstrating the power of community-driven climate action.” 
— Juanita Spencer, CEO, Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities

Quick Facts:
– the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund was created in 2021 as part of the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, a legislated commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, respond to climate change, transform how Nova Scotians produce and use energy, make homes and buildings energy efficient, and more
– eligible funding recipients are municipalities, non-profit and community organizations, post-secondary institutions and Mi’kmaw communities
– since launching, the fund has announced about $15 million for projects that help Nova Scotians respond to climate change
– the government released The Future of Nova Scotia’s Coastline: The plan to protect people, homes and nature from climate change, on February 26, 2024; it has 15 actions for property owners, municipalities and the Province to take to make coastal homes, communities and natural areas safer

Additional Resources:
More information on the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund is available at: https://nschallengefund.ca/

News releases about the fund and related projects: https://news.novascotia.ca/search/all?field_topics=228

Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/environmental%20goals%20and%20climate%20change%20reduction.pdf

Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/ns-climate-change-plan.pdf

Powering the Transition: Nova Scotia 2025 Climate Change Risk Assessment: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/climate-change-risk–assessment-2025.pdf

The Future of Nova Scotia’s Coastline: A plan to protect people, homes and nature from climate change: https://novascotia.ca/coastal-climate-change/docs/coastline-plan.pdf