Honourable senators, it is with a deep sense of responsibility to my province, Nova Scotia, that I rise today to support Bill S-216, the Chignecto Isthmus Dykeland System Act.

The subject at hand directly affects the safety, prosperity and resilience of a region that connects my province to the rest of Canada. It is a matter of national interest, interprovincial fairness and respect for our commitments to the communities that have lived there for centuries.

The Chignecto Isthmus is a 21-kilometre strip of land connecting Nova Scotia to New Brunswick. It is the only land link between Nova Scotia and the rest of the country. The Trans-Canada Highway, CN’s main railway line, electrical networks and communication lines, such as fibre optics, all go through this narrow corridor.

In other words, if the isthmus were to be flooded, Nova Scotia would be literally cut off from Canada. Interprovincial trade, the supply of essential goods, the movement of citizens and emergency services would all be paralyzed.

This is not a remote possibility. The risk is very real. The network of dykes that protects this area was originally built by the Acadians in the 18th century and later reinforced. Today, this infrastructure is aging. The dykes have been weakened by climate change, rising sea levels and more frequent storms.

A major failure would have untold economic and social consequences, not only for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, but for all of Atlantic Canada. Protecting the Chignecto Isthmus exceeds the capabilities and responsibilities of a single province. This is clearly an issue of national interest.

The shipment of goods to the ports of Halifax, Saint John and Sydney is vital to Canada’s economy. These routes support our international trade, our energy security and our supply chains.

That is why Bill S-216 proposes that the federal government accept responsibility for the network of dykes on the isthmus to ensure a coordinated, sustainable and equitable approach. Federal intervention is nothing new; the Quebec City Bridge and the Champlain Bridge, both of which are examples of infrastructure of national importance, were taken over by the federal government to ensure their safety and longevity.

The same principle applies here. The Parliament of Canada has a duty to act when the safety and security of an entire province and the continuity of national trade are at stake. This bill comes in response to long-standing concerns voiced by local communities in both provinces. The municipalities of Tantramar, Amherst and Sackville have all requested a lasting and coordinated solution. They know that only a federal approach can protect this strategic region over the long term.

The bill also has the support of many Acadian and Indigenous groups, including the Société de l’Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick, the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse and the Société nationale de l’Acadie. In 2024, Acadian groups began the process of creating a national park on the Chignecto Isthmus. At its annual meeting on Sunday, November 16, the Société nationale de l’Acadie passed a motion that reads as follows:

That the Société nationale de l’Acadie fully support Bill S-216 and any other bill recognizing the Chignecto Isthmus dykeland system and related works to be for the general advantage of Canada.

These organizations also stressed the importance of preserving the Acadian cultural and heritage sites in the region, which bear witness to a history deeply rooted in our shared identity. The lands, the marshes and the dykes tell the story of the ingenuity and resilience of the Acadian people, while bearing witness to the millennia of Indigenous presence there.

By supporting this bill, we honour this shared memory and ensure that these heritage sites are protected in a consistent, lasting and respectful manner. Some have questioned Parliament’s jurisdiction to intervene in this matter. It is worth noting that the Nova Scotia Court ruled on this issue and chose not to supplant the legislature. It left this decision to the sole discretion of the Parliament of Canada.

That means, honourable senators, that the responsibility falls directly on us. It is up to us, as legislators, to decide whether protecting the Chignecto Isthmus is in the national interest. The answer is clearly yes.

When the geographic, economic and human unity of a province depends on a single land link, the federal government not only has the right to act, but a moral duty to act.

Current estimates place the cost of upgrading and reinforcing the dykeland system at about $650 million. That figure comes from a 2022 joint study carried out by the governments of Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

The cost may seem high, but it would be a strategic investment in Canada’s national security and climate resiliency. Considering the human and economic losses that would result from a major flood, estimated at several billions of dollars, this investment isn’t only justified, it’s urgent.

Although the governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have managed to come to terms on funding for the work on the Chignecto Isthmus, it is still crucial for Parliament to take action. A mere financial agreement, however important, does not assign jurisdiction or legal responsibility for this vital infrastructure.

Unless the declaratory power is invoked, the dykes will remain under provincial jurisdiction. This means that the provinces would remain responsible for managing and maintaining the dykes and protecting them against climate change, even with the federal government’s financial support.

However, the Chignecto Isthmus isn’t just a local issue, it’s also a national issue and a strategic issue for Canada’s economy, security and cohesion.

That’s why it is essential that Parliament declare these dykes to be of national interest. Such a declaration would allow the Government of Canada to take full responsibility for this infrastructure, ensure lasting and coordinated management, and guarantee that public investments are protected by rigorous technical and environmental standards.

Beyond the practical aspects, however, this is about a national vision. The Chignecto Isthmus is the lifeline that connects the Atlantic provinces to the rest of Canada. Protecting these dykes is not just about protecting land and infrastructure; it’s about preserving our country’s integrity and shared future.

By exercising this declaratory power, Parliament will affirm that Canada is acting with foresight, responsibility and unity, and that it is not merely reacting to crises, but giving itself the necessary tools to protect its citizens and its territory in the long term.

The Chignecto Isthmus is not just a border between two provinces. It is a natural bridge between two regions, between our peoples and our history. It is a symbol of cooperation between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, between the Acadians, the Mi’kmaq and all those who live and work in this region.

Supporting Bill S-216 means choosing prevention over reaction. It means taking action before a disaster forces our hand. It means advocating for a coordinated, responsible federal approach to protect a vital link in Atlantic Canada, one that is unequivocally for the advantage of Canada.

Colleagues, I invite you to support Bill S-216 for the safety of our citizens, for the vitality of our economy and for the preservation of our shared heritage.

Thank you.