🍁 civid v1

Purpose and scope

• The bill would declare the Chignecto Isthmus Dykeland System and related works to be works for the general advantage of Canada.
• The system covers water-management dyke systems in the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick portions of the trade corridor. It includes associated dykes, aboiteaux and breakwaters; related works include water-level controls, steel sheet pile walls and works useful for maintenance or operation.
• The preamble describes threats from sea-level rise and severe weather, and notes the area’s significance to Mi’kmaq and Acadian peoples.

Administration and agreements

• The Minister of Infrastructure and Communities would administer the Act, except where otherwise provided, with powers, duties and functions covering the system and related works.
• The Minister of Public Works and Government Services could make agreements with any person for design, construction or operation and take measures to carry them out or protect federal interests, including holding or realizing security. A person entering such an agreement would not become a federal agent.
• The Minister of Infrastructure and Communities could make related or implementing agreements with persons, the two provincial governments, or their municipalities or agencies. The definition of “person” includes Indigenous governing bodies and organizations.
• The implementation provision refers to an agreement under section 4, although section 4 contains the declaration, not an agreement provision.

Emergency exemptions

• In an emergency, the Governor in Council could exempt any person from federal requirements to obtain permits, licences, approvals or other authorizations for construction of the system or related works. Conditions could be imposed in the interest of preventing environmental damage or protecting public health or safety.
• These orders would be exempt from the Statutory Instruments Act but would have to be published in the Canada Gazette.
• Once construction is complete, authorizations otherwise required but exempted would be deemed issued for purposes of the relevant federal Act.

Status and other details

• The supplied text identifies this as the first-reading version, dated May 28, 2025; the bill’s listed stage is second reading.
• The text specifies no funding amount, construction deadline or amendments to existing Acts.