Higgs calls on senators to push feds to pay for Chignecto Isthmus fix

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OTTAWA • Premier Blaine Higgs is calling on the country’s senators to help push the federal government into paying the entire price tag of safeguarding the vulnerable strip of land connecting New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

It’s a matter of “regional fairness and respect,” Higgs argued, citing the federal government’s willingness to pay in full for a Quebec bridge.

That’s as he said negotiations with the Trudeau government over who pays to repair the Chignecto Isthmus have stalled.

Now, the premier said a declaration that the federal government is “exclusively responsible” for maintaining vital economic links between provinces would give both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia needed leverage in talks.

Higgs said that could come from an ongoing reference case the provinces recently brought to Nova Scotia’s court of appeal.

Or it could come from federal politicians.

Higgs made the comments in front of a Senate committee on Wednesday night.

The premier’s appearance virtually was to senators studying New Brunswick Senator Jim Quinn’s Bill S-273, which aims to bring the vital Chignecto Isthmus corridor under federal jurisdiction, in efforts to see Ottawa take responsibility for the low-lying land under threat by rising sea water.

Senator Quinn’s bill would declare the dyke network to be “for the general advantage of Canada,” which would bring it under federal jurisdiction.

That could arguably spur the federal government to fully finance the multimillion-dollar fix that’s needed.

“It’s a call for the federal government to fulfill its constitutional duties and acknowledge what is apparent to anyone travelling along the Trans Canada Highway,” Quinn said in speaking to the committee on his own bill ahead of Higgs.

“The Chignecto Isthmus serves as a crucial trade and transportation route holding national importance.”

Higgs then made his argument.

“The dykes on the Chignecto Isthmus are built for the general advantage, not just for the Maritime provinces, but the whole of Canada,” he said.

“The government of New Brunswick therefore strongly believes that the constitution of Canada requires the federal government to take full responsibility for these works because of the trade, transport, and communication links they support.”

He later added: “We believe the government of Canada should assume the full cost of this project in keeping with their constitutional responsibilities.

“Some of our colleagues in Ottawa do disagree, but we are working on finding alignment.”

Higgs and others have made the argument that fixes to the Isthmus are urgent.

Severe storms that are happening with greater frequency could mix with high tides and completely flood the Trans Canada Highway and rail line, while submerging parts of Sackville and Amherst.

The estimated cost of fixing the Isthmus has ballooned to an estimated $650 million and counting.

Any work is expected to take 10 years to complete.

Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have already applied for federal money under the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, which would see Ottawa cover half the cost, although the provinces have also turned to the court in attempts to prove that it’s the feds who should foot the entire bill.

Higgs argued on Wednesday night that the feds fully funded the building of the Champlain Bridge in Montreal, declaring it for the general advantage of Canada to do so.

Arguably politically advantageous in voter-rich Quebec, Higgs suggested that the regionally weighted Senate creates the opportunity to press for the same support for Atlantic Canada.

“As a matter of regional fairness and respect, I ask that senators treat this request by the Atlantic provinces no differently,” Higgs said.

The premier had allies on the committee.

“It’s neglect,” Sen. David Adams Richards said during Tuesday night’s testimony.

“You can bet that if this was in a more advantageous place, say Ontario and Quebec, this would have been handled a lot better a long time ago.”

Higgs contended that there “hasn’t been much progress” in reaching a deal with the federal government beyond a 50-50 split of the project.

“We’re kind of at a stalemate here right now,” he said, stating the Senate’s backing would give the provinces a better negotiating position.

“We need you,” said Kim Masland, Nova Scotia’s Public Works minister who testified alongside Higgs. “We’re sounding the alarm, this is not a matter of if (the dykes fail), but when it’s going to happen.”

Higgs says New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are proceeding to fix the dyke system regardless of the federal government’s level of involvement, saying “it cannot wait.”

“We are beginning with the work because it needs to be done, we can’t afford to have this vital transport and telecommunications link fail,” Higgs said. “That would be catastrophic for our region and the country.

“But I maintain that the government of Canada bears the responsibility for securing the Isthmus as it has done over the past 150 years to build roads and rails that connect this country from sea to sea to sea.”

Higgs government Infrastructure Minister Richard Ames told a provincial legislative committee earlier this month that the preferred plan to safeguard the vulnerable strip of land connecting New Brunswick to Nova Scotia will be decided by the end of June.

A 2019 study came up with three options that included raising the existing dykes, building new dykes, or raising the existing dykes and installing steel sheet pile walls.

Quinn’s bill has passed second reading and is now in the committee stage.

It would then need to be approved by senators before being brought to the House of Commons and MPs for debate.