Canada's National Wildlife Areas play a vital role in conserving habitat that contributes to the health of migratory bird populations and the recovery of species at risk. That is why the Government of Canada continues to expand its network of protected areas in Nova Scotia and across the country.
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Government of Canada has designated Country Island, Isle Haute, and St. Paul Island as Canada's newest National Wildlife Areas.
The newly designated National Wildlife Areas will provide protection for migratory birds and species at risk on rare and otherwise vulnerable Atlantic offshore island habitat. The protection of these ecologically significant islands represents an important contribution to biodiversity conservation in Nova Scotia.
In addition to existing protections on the islands offered by the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and the Species at Risk Act, the National Wildlife Areas designation enables broader protection for all species and habitats on the island as authorized under the Canada Wildlife Act. A Canada Wildlife Act permit will be required to access the islands, depending on the location and time of year, which provides further protection to migratory birds and nesting sites.
The Government of Canada remains committed to working toward halting and reversing biodiversity loss in Canada by 2030 and to achieving a full recovery for nature by 2050.
