Nova Scotia

H

Environmental Issues

One of the most serious environmental issues facing Nova Scotia is acid rain, a form of air pollution that is harmful to many types of plant and aquatic life throughout the Maritime provinces. A principal component of acid rain is sulfur dioxide, which is emitted by local coal-burning power plants. Prevailing winds also bring sulfur emissions from the northeastern United States. Domestic production of sulfur dioxide has dropped considerably since the early 1980s due to more advanced pollution prevention technology at power plants, and acid rain has declined since that time. However, many scientists believe that acid rain still poses a threat to Nova Scotia’s environment, and they advocate further emission reductions to protect the long-term health of vulnerable areas.

Another environmental concern in the province is water pollution, which results mainly from untreated domestic sewage, discharges from industry (including pulp and steel mills), and highway deicing salts. Untreated sewage is routinely pumped directly into the sea, degrading near-shore habitat and the associated fisheries, including those of Halifax and Sydney harbors. In 2002 the federal and provincial governments pledged funds to begin building three sewage-treatment plants in Halifax to help the city clean up its harbor. Water pollution has also contaminated groundwater in some areas and affected the water quality in wells from the Annapolis Valley to Cape Breton Island.

Nova Scotia’s department of natural resources manages efforts to conserve and protect forests, mineral resources, and wildlife habitat. Much of the department’s work is focused on reforestation and forest management. Hunting and the inland salmon and trout fisheries are closely regulated in the province. In addition, Nova Scotia is widely considered a leader in recycling in Canada. A deposit-refund system ensures that nearly all beverage containers are recycled, and most households and businesses have access to a curbside recycling program.

III

Economic Activities

Nova Scotia’s economic development has been shaped largely by its natural resources and geographic location. The economy was initially dominated by mining, fishing, forestry, and farming. Since the 1930s, manufacturing industries have grown in importance. Most manufacturing jobs, such as fish processing and pulp and paper production, are closely tied to the province’s natural resources. The service sector, which includes the increasingly important tourism industry, grew rapidly in the 20th century and today is the leading source of income and employment in the province.

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Nova Scotia’s unemployment rate is higher than in most other provinces, 7.8 percent in 2006, and per-capita incomes are below the national average. This is due mainly to fluctuating demand for many of Nova Scotia’s products and to the seasonal nature of employment in industries such as tourism. Federal financial support in the form of transfer payments and grants helps compensate the province for these fluctuations.

A

Agriculture

The climate and geography across Nova Scotia are suitable for growing a variety of crops. The Annapolis Valley is the largest and most fertile agricultural region in the province and is suited to horticulture, livestock production, and livestock feeds. Livestock and livestock products generate a majority of farm income in Nova Scotia. Dairying is the largest sector, accounting for one-quarter of total farm production. The production of poultry, beef, and pork are also important.

The most common field crop in Nova Scotia is hay, which is not a market crop, but is used to support livestock. Grain crops are of only minor importance.

Nova Scotia is one of a handful of areas in the world where wild blueberries are harvested commercially. Blueberries thrive throughout much of the province and account for nearly half of Canada’s annual blueberry crop. Considerable quantities of apples and strawberries are also grown.

B

Fisheries

Excellent fishing banks lie a few miles offshore, and fishers have long made a living from the sea. Among the Canadian provinces, Nova Scotia ranks second only to British Columbia in the value of its annual fish production. The most valuable species are shellfish—especially lobsters, scallops, and crabs. Other important species include haddock, herring, and pollock. In recent years dwindling cod stocks have nearly decimated the cod fishery—once a leading industry in the province. Since 1992, cod-fishing bans and strict quotas imposed by the federal government have caused hardship for many cod fishers throughout the Maritimes.

Aquaculture (fish farming) is a rapidly growing industry in Nova Scotia. The provincial department of agriculture and fisheries encourages aquaculture development through training and financial assistance. Among the species raised are Atlantic salmon, steelhead, blue mussels, scallops, rainbow trout, and oysters.

In 1984 the United Nations International Court of Justice (World Court) resolved a long-standing dispute between Canada and the United States over ownership of the Georges Bank, a fishing bank located near the coast of Massachusetts. Although the World Court awarded Canada just one-sixth of the disputed territory, Canada’s portion contained the richest fishing grounds. The decision gave Nova Scotian and other Canadian fishers exclusive fishing rights to an area long fished by both countries.

C

Mining

Mineral production in Nova Scotia remains an important activity. Historically, Nova Scotia’s most valuable mineral product was coal. Mines in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality contain excellent coking-quality coal, which was long used to generate electricity and to produce iron and steel. However, much of the coal is expensive to extract, and in 2001—after years of financial difficulties—the last of Cape Breton’s once-numerous coal mines was forced to shut down.

Other valuable minerals found in Nova Scotia are salt and gypsum. Important salt deposits are located in north central Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia leads all the other Canadian provinces in the production of gypsum, which occurs in outcroppings throughout the northern half of the province. Much of Nova Scotia’s gypsum is exported to the United States.

Nova Scotia has large deposits of barite, used primarily in oil well drilling. The province also produces sand and gravel, cement, stone, and clay. Offshore deposits of petroleum and natural gas are mined near Sable Island.

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