Background:  How We Got Here ...

Beginning in 1801, the Province of Nova Scotia managed Sable Island, and operated a Humane Establishment to provide assistance to mariners. Following Confederation in 1867, the Island was managed by the Federal Department of Transport through the Coast Guard, and the Humane Establishment was expanded to include aids to navigation such as lighthouses and navigation beacons.

Over the decades, the Meteorological Service of Canada (Environment Canada) became the primary resident operating agency on the Island, and Environment Canada’s role on Sable Island was furthered by the Canadian Wildlife Service as the responsible authority for the Sable Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

The Coast Guard continued to manage the Island. Under the Canada Shipping Act, the Coast Guard is the responsible authority for the island overall, and also provides logistical support in emergencies. Coast Guard currently operates one unmanned lighthouse on the Island, and also maintains some buildings (including one non-operational lighthouse), the Island’s two helipads, and a helicopter fuel cache.

The Marine Fish Division of the Department of Fisheries & Oceans monitors the resident seal populations, and together with other scientists, conducts basic and applied research on a seasonal basis. Aliant maintains an unmanned Island operation to provide communication services to both the Island and the offshore energy industry. The major offshore operators maintain an emergency fuel cache and an aviation beacon on the Island, and store emergency food, clothing, and medical supplies at the Station.

Ten years ago, during its Program Review, Environment Canada considered closing the Station on Sable Island. The Meteorological Service had determined that it did not have the resources to fund the entire cost of the Sable Island Station. However, in 1997, following much concern expressed by private citizens and researchers from across Canada, Environment Canada negotiated an interim shared-cost funding arrangement while pursuing a longer-term solution. Contributions were provided by the offshore energy industry, the Government of Nova Scotia, Fisheries & Oceans, and the Meteorological Service. Additional revenues were generated on the Island through provision of services.

At the same time, a review of the Canada Shipping Act, and the included Sable Island Regulations, was underway. The question was raised as to whether Coast Guard was the appropriate government department to maintain responsibility for Sable Island.

By early 2000, Environment Canada had assisted in the formation of a volunteer-based not-for-profit charity, the Sable Island Preservation Trust (SIPT). The purpose of this organization was to raise funds to cover some of the operational costs, and to assume some of the management responsibilities for the Station. Environment Canada would also maintain some staff at the Station, while Coast Guard retained responsibility for the Island as a whole.

Three years later, in early 2003, the SIPT had failed to raise funds and issued layoff notices to its staff on the Island. To ensure operations continued while alternatives were explored, Environment Canada and Fisheries & Oceans, together with the Government of Nova Scotia, provided financial and logistical resources to fund the SIPT staff. Now, in mid-2004, SIPT has still been unable to advance the security of the Island operations, and is now widely considered an inappropriate management model for such a complex and highly technical operation. In late 2003, discussion regarding the future role of the Station and the management of both the Island and the Station resumed.

Environment Canada continues to cover the majority of costs associated with Station operations, and the Provincial Government, through four departments, has committed to provide some financial support until the end of fiscal year 2004-2005. However, the regional branches of Environment Canada and the Department of Fisheries & Oceans alone do not have sufficient resources to operate and fund the Station long-term.

There is a consensus that the approach attempted in 2000 has failed, and that a volunteer-based organization such as the SIPT is structurally unsuited and unable to operate and maintain a costly, continuous, and technically complex operation. In early 2003, a number of Island operators and stakeholders met to examine options and develop a management regime that would best ensure stability and continued operations on Sable Island. By mid-2004, there was broad agreement that the multi-stakeholder role inherent in the Island operation might best be served by a multi-stakeholder management regime. The majority of Sable Island operators feel the most secure and effective means of operating and managing Island activities is as part of a Federal Government operation. The resources available to Government would best ensure the Island would be managed and operated to the proper standards. However, there is recognition that in the current era Government has been withdrawing from operational roles. A consensus has developed that, although it is a less effective option, another possible route would be the formation of a non-government organization, managed by a multi-stakeholder professional board that would act on behalf of the Government to protect the Island, manage the infrastructure, and support the ongoing operational, educational, conservation, and research activities.

There are a number of reviews - addressing statutes, funding and management - underway both in the region and in Ottawa. Among these are discussions involving researchers, technicians, representatives of government and industry, and members of the general public that have generated a proposal for an alternative management model. The proposed organization would be comprised of representatives from various relevant federal and provincial government departments, academia, organizations representing the public interest, and the offshore industries. Many of these stakeholders and interests have been part of the Sable Island community for several decades. Within this community is a shared understanding of the history, role and potential of the Station and public interest in Sable Island, and the proposed organization would build on this community relationship.