N.S. New Democrats pushing for legislation to fight blue-green algae

The Nova Scotia New Democrat Party is calling on the provincial government to create a Provincial Lake Advisory Commission as blue-green algae season gets underway.

The NDP says the Nova Scotia government needs to focus on lake conservation and protection as potentially harmful algae blooms worsen due to climate change and human activity.

“Blue-green algae is a growing threat, and the blooms are worsening because of human activity, development and a changing climate,” says NDP leader Claudia Chender in a release. “Our lakes are important environmental habitats and recreational spaces. We must do more to ensure they are healthy and protected.”

This year has already seen blue-green algae blooms in Hants County, Sackville and Dartmouth.

In March, the New Democrats tabled legislation to create the commission, which would advise the Environment Minister and oversee what action is required to conserve Nova Scotia’s waterways.

“This is a preventable problem that falls directly into provincial responsibility,” says NDP Environment and Climate Change spokesperson Lisa Lachance in the release. “It’s time to get to work and protect the land and water we all love.”