The Government of Canada makes a commitment to maintain the Sable Island Station

February 1, 2005

On January 31st, the Government of Canada issued a news release announcing its intention to maintain the year-round human presence on Sable Island. The release, titled "Federal government announces steps to ensure the protection of Sable Island into the future”, included the following comments:

"The federal government, along with the province of Nova Scotia, agree that it is in the best interests of Canadians to ensure that Sable Island, with its special history and unique scientific and ecological value, is preserved for generations to come," said Minister Dion. "We believe the best way to achieve this is by maintaining a human presence on the island."

"Canadians understand the historical and environmental importance of Sable Island. The federal and provincial governments are responding today to Canadian's concerns for the future of Sable Island and remain committed to finding a viable long-term solution to protect Sable Island's future," said Minister Regan.

"The Province of Nova Scotia has worked very hard with the federal government and Sable Island stakeholders to ensure that the island would be preserved and protected. We welcome the federal government's commitment to continue a year-round human presence on Sable Island," said Nova Scotia's Minister of Natural Resources Richard Hurlburt.

In response to the announcement, Ian McLaren, a senior researcher with the Biology Department of Dalhousie University, said "I am very pleased to see this resolution, being someone who has gone to Sable Island for almost 40 years. I hope that there will be a follow-up on the management of the Island's important facilities for research and conservation.”

The Sable Island Green Horse Society and the Ecology Action Centre also welcome this announcement. It is a very positive step in ensuring continued support for the wide range of research and conservation activities carried out on the Island. Minister Geoff Regan and Minister Stéphane Dion, and the Government of Nova Scotia, are to be congratulated on their success in working towards a solution to the funding and management problems facing the Sable Island Station.

Two federal departments, Environment Canada and Fisheries & Oceans (DFO), have agreed to jointly cover the shortfall of $500,000/year in order to keep the Station open until permanent funding can be arranged. The Government of Nova Scotia will also participate. As part of its contribution, DFO will provide the vessel and support for the annual resupply. During the next two years the federal government will explore a statute change for the Island, and until then DFO will continue to have responsibility and authority for Sable Island. Beginning on April 1st, the Station on Sable Island will be managed directly by the Meteorological Service of Canada (a branch of Environment Canada) and Station staff will be government employees.

In the meantime, Environment Canada will take the lead in establishing an advisory board. The composition and mandate of this advisory board are critical. Although the government’s news release referred to the Station as “the Island's Weather Station”, the operation on the Island is not merely a “weather station”. During the last two decades the Station’s role has greatly expanded, and it now serves the interests of a variety of government agencies and stakeholders. Issues and concerns associated with both Sable Island and the Station are complex, varied and occasionally divergent. Participants on the advisory board must bring to the organization a wide range of technical and scientific expertise, operational experience, institutional memory and public support.

"It is most encouraging to hear that Environment Canada has decided to resume direct management of the Sable Island Station," said Mark Butler of EAC. He added, "We hope that an advisory board comprised of stakeholders will soon be established to assist the government with both the transition and the long-term management issues. Such an advisory board, by bringing together representatives from the Sable Island community - federal and provincial government agencies, industry, university and public interest groups - would provide the expertise required to manage both the Island and the Sable Island Station."

In its news release of January 31st, the Government of Canada expressed recognition that a year-round human presence is essential for Sable Island. Again, we thank the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment and the Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, for their efforts on behalf of Sable Island and the Station.

On February 7th, Zoe Lucas will present a public lecture, “Sable Island: Uncertain Future?” at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa.  Although the future of Sable Island is now far less “uncertain”, there is still much work to do to secure long-term funding and stability for Sable Island.  We have confidence that the Government of Canada, assisted by the Government of Nova Scotia and the proposed advisory board, will continue to make progress on this issue. In the meantime, we will continue to promote public awareness and discussion.