Hon. Réjean Aucoin: Honourable senators, I’d like to begin by saying that I agree with Senator Quinn’s comments. In addition, according to an article I read today about the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica, although it was expected to melt in the next 100 or 150 years, experts believe it will melt faster than initially predicted. The sea flows 3.7 kilometres beneath the glacier, contributing to the 3.7-metre annual rise in sea level. The world is already losing 50 billion tonnes of ice annually, equivalent to a 4% rise in sea levels. The study was published this week.

Honourable senators, I’d like to take this opportunity to share my thoughts on the very important Bill S-273, sponsored by our colleague, Senator Quinn.

I consider it essential to rise today to discuss the vital importance of preserving the Chignecto Isthmus dikeland, and to recognize the central role this isthmus plays in Canada’s economy.

The Chignecto Isthmus is the name of the stretch of land connecting New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It is slightly above sea level. It includes a network of dikes and aboiteaux, installed in the late 1600s by the Acadians, perhaps some of my ancestors. It currently protects the isthmus’ communities, infrastructure, private lands and natural resources.

The Chignecto dikes, with their rich history and crucial function, are much more than mere structures of concrete and earth. They are an infrastructure that protects an essential link between Nova Scotia and the rest of the North American continent, a link that should never be underestimated or neglected.

First of all, understanding the economic importance of the Chignecto Isthmus to Canada is key. This land and sea corridor is a major trade and freight corridor. The Trans-Canada Highway and CN rail line cross the Chignecto Isthmus, providing road and rail links across which some $35 billion worth of goods, commodities and services flow every year.

These goods and commodities travel in both directions. They go from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to the West, but the goods and commodities found in New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario come from as far away as British Columbia. In addition, this strip of land is home to wind turbines and major power and telecommunications lines.

Every day, thousands of trucks haul goods essential to Canadians across the Chignecto Isthmus. Food, medical supplies, manufactured products and countless other goods are shipped through this strategic passage to Canadian and even U.S. markets, thereby contributing to the continuous supply of goods to cities and regions across the country. These goods play a vital role in Canada’s economy. They support a wide range of industries from coast to coast to coast and create jobs in multiple sectors.

Considering its strategic position and importance to Canada, we believe that the work required to protect this land bridge from the climate changes we are witnessing is vital. That’s where the Chignecto dikes come into play. These ingenious structures protect the land from floods and storms and, in doing so, ensure safe shipping by land and sea. Without them, roads could be flooded, railways damaged and ports rendered inaccessible, bringing the vital flow of goods across the country to a screeching halt.

Preserving the Chignecto Isthmus dikes is also critical to the environment. Not only do these dikes protect farmland and infrastructure, they also preserve fragile coastal ecosystems. By stabilizing the land and preventing floods, they protect natural habitats and the species that depend on them. In doing so, they help preserve the region’s biodiversity.

Colleagues, it is our duty to preserve and protect the Chignecto Isthmus dikes for future generations. Their importance cannot be overstated. They are the very foundation of our economy and our security, ensuring the continuous flow of essential goods across the country. By investing in their maintenance and development, we are investing in the future of Canada as a whole.

In my view, the Canadian government has a constitutional responsibility to maintain this link, and the federal government’s criteria for funding major transportation links should be the same in all provinces.

Therefore, it goes without saying that the Chignecto Isthmus and the works required to preserve it should be declared to be for the general advantage of Canada. This would enable the provinces to negotiate with a single stakeholder, the federal government. As things stand, if one province completes its part of the necessary repairs but the other does nothing, a storm could seriously damage everything on both sides of the Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border.

In closing, I would urge you all to recognize the vital importance of the Chignecto Isthmus Dykeland System and to support the efforts to preserve it. The Chignecto Isthmus is a strategic land link that is threatened by rising water levels and climate change. By supporting this bill, we can ensure the sustainability of this important economic corridor and guarantee the prosperity of our nation in the years ahead.

Thank you very much.