Engage

We recognize that it is important to engage with Indigenous communities and the public so that we may better understand the perspectives and concerns of the many communities, businesses and organizations around Nova Scotia. This helps us to make informed decisions.

Hearing from you is valuable to us.

We offer many different ways for you to get involved.

• We hold commenting periods when environmental assessments are conducted, make a Call for Bids for offshore licences and when we develop guidelines to assist industry in understanding requirements set out in legislation
   
• We host engagement sessions throughout the province on topics such as Activity Authorizations, licensing of offshore interests, Call for Bids and more generally, our regulatory role
   
• We also send email updates to subscribers so they can be kept in the loop on what’s happening offshore

Ultimately, we want to establish strong relationships with the public we serve. We are committed to doing what is needed so that we can continue to earn your trust and confidence.

Want to get the latest updates from out team? Join our email distribution list here.

Indigenous Communities

We recognize and understand the importance of engaging and consulting with Indigenous communities. We believe that Indigenous communities have unique and specific insights that should be taken into consideration prior to making decisions.

We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the federal and provincial governments (as represented by Natural Resources Canada and the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables) in which the governments can use and rely on, where appropriate, our existing practices to assist in discharging the Crown’s consultation and accommodation obligations.

We will work to engage and consult with Indigenous communities throughout the lifecycle of offshore resource management and development.

Fisheries Advisory Committee

We require operators to conduct offshore activities in a manner that minimizes the impact on fisheries, marine fish resources, and fish habitat.

To assist us in better understanding the needs and concerns of the fishing industry, we’ve established a Fisheries Advisory Committee. The Fisheries Advisory Committee includes representatives from various fishing groups, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada, the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables. Fisheries Advisory Committee members provide advice and suggestions to us for consideration in such things as activity authorization applications, and input into our guidelines. Committee members are provided with notice of all Environmental Assessments, and are invited to submit comments to us for consideration during the review process.

For a list of Fisheries Advisory Committee members, please click here.