In 2007, the Government of Nova Scotia passed the Environmental Goals and Sustainability Prosperity Act (EGSPA). It was designed to make Nova Scotia a world leader in environmental protection, enshrining 21 environmental goals.
So how are we doing?
Thatâs the question considered by a new issue of the ±«Óătv Law Journal, published to mark the EGSPAâs fifth anniversary. It includes articles that examine the legislation from various fields, including law, management and the social sciences.
The issue was launched at an event in the Mona Campbell Building on Thursday, January 31, attended by Premier Darrell Dexter, contributors to the journal, and students and faculty of the College of Sustainability.
William Lahey, professor at the Schulich School of Law (left), told the audience that âall academics have one wish â that their research be relevant,â and he continued, âyour presence, Premier Dexter, at todayâs event tells us that this work is indeed relevant in the realm of public policy.â Prof. Lahey has a unique perspective on the issue, having served as deputy minister of the environment for the province. He helped draft the Nova Scotia Environmental Act in 1992.
Meinhard Doelle, associate dean of research and director of the Marine & Environmental Law Institute, said, âAlthough the authors of this special issue conclude that the EGSPA legislation has been effective, evidence indicates that the Act and its implementation will have to be strengthened over time if it is to achieve its more ambitious goal of international leadership in sustainable prosperity."
Feature articles in the special issue of the Dal Law Journal include:
- Meinhard Doelle (right) and William Lahey: âNegotiating the Interface of Environmental and Economic Governance: Nova Scotiaâs Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Actâ
- A. John Sinclair and Lisa Quinn: âFrom Idea to Practice: Sustainable Development Efforts in Manitobaâ
- SRES prof Peter Duinker: âIn Search of âCompass and Gyroscopeâ: Where Were Adaptive Management and Principled Negotiation in Nova Scotiaâs Forest-Strategy Process?â
- Susan Tirone (Associate Director of the College of Sustainability), Karen Gallant & Katie Sykes: ââAnd the People of the Provinceâ: EGSPAâs Social Deficitâ
Copies of the EGSPA issue of the ±«Óătv Law Journal (Vol. 35 No. 1) are available for $30. For more information, .