Media Releases

Protection of the Isthmus of Chignecto discussed with N.B. minister

The protection of the Isthmus of Chignecto was the topic of discussion when Amherst Mayor David Kogon and local historian Bill Casey met with Daniel Allain, New Brunswick’s minister of local government and local governance reform, on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.

“It was a productive meeting,” Kogon said. “We outlined the threat the isthmus is facing due to rising sea levels and the increase in extreme weather events. We also stressed our concern the steps needed to prevent the threat from becoming a reality were not being implemented in a timely fashion.”

As they did earlier this year when they met with N.S. Premier Tim Houston, the pair noted several studies have indicated the transportation links crossing the isthmus would be devastated if the existing dikes were breached during an extreme weather event, thereby preventing $50 million in commercial goods that cross the isthmus on a daily basis from getting to market in other parts of North America.

They also noted another study – the Chignecto Isthmus Climate Change Comprehensive Engineering and Feasibility Study – offered three solutions: raising the existing dikes at an estimated cost of just over $200 million, building new dikes at just over $189 million or raising the existing dikes install steel sheet pile walls at select locations at a cost of just over $300 million.

That study indicated it could take up to 10 years before the solutions were put in place. Given the destruction that occurred when hurricane Fiona hit, Kogon and Casey pointed out that time frame needs to be shortened as extreme weather events are occurring on a more regular basis.

The federal government has recently indicated it is willing to put up to $150 million into the project. Kogon and Casey informed Allain it was time for New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to also commit to the project.

“We understand there are engineering factors affecting the timing of a solution, “Kogon said. “We don’t want the solution implemented so fast that it doesn’t do the job properly, but we feel the movement on this very important project is taking longer than necessary and we feel it is time for both provinces to make a financial commitment to the project, just as the federal government has done.

“Failing to do so could result in the cost of repairing the damage to our transportation links far exceeding the cost of prevention.”

The mayor said Allain pledged his support and promised to ensure the project remained a top priority with the New Brunswick government.

“We are thankful for that commitment from the minister,” Kogon said. “We look forward to seeing steps taken in the near future that will ensure the transportation links that connect Nova scotia with the rest of Nova Scotia are protected from rising sea levels and extreme weather events.”