Frequently Asked Questions

Why protect Sable Island?

On January 25, 2010, the federal government and the of Nova Scotia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with respect to designating Sable Island as a federal protected area. The two governments then established a Task Group which was charged with making a recommendation on the creation of either a national wildlife area or a national park. Following three months of analysis and discussions, the Sable Island Task Group recommended that Sable Island be designated and managed as a national park under the Canada National Parks Act.

Why was a national park designation recommended as the best option to protect Sable Island?

At the beginning of 2010, two possibilities for federal protected area designation (national park or national wildlife area) were being considered. Both would conserve the island’s ecology and wildlife, however national park designation was recommended by the Task Group in April, 2010 because it best addresses four key objectives for Sable Island:

• enhance the protection of the flora and fauna as well as the cultural assets and history of the island, while still recognizing that it is situated in an area of industrial activity;
• protect both the surface and intertidal zone;
• meet the commitment to an on-going human presence on the island; and
• manage the current and likely increased interest and ability of the public to access the island with programs to facilitate visitor experiences, all within an established conservation framework that emphasizes ecological integrity.

Other public benefits include the fact that, as part of Canada’s national park system, Sable Island could be portrayed as one of Canada’s premier natural and cultural icons, and this would help ensure that the importance of Sable Island and its rich history and stories could be shared with all Canadians.

Will the Sable Island horses be protected by the national park?

Yes. The horses have been living on the Island since the mid-1700s, and are therefore considered to be part of the ecosystem of the island. All wildlife on the island, including horses,and birds, will be protectd under the Canada National Parks Act.

What kind of public consultations did you do?

Between June and September, 2010 Parks Canada sought public input through a variety of approaches, including public open houses and meetings with key stakeholders and partners. Members of the public were invited to comment and share their ideas on Sable Island’s proposed designation by attending an open house, visiting the Parks Canada Sable Island web site, submitting comments to a dedicated email address or calling a toll-free number.

What was the scope of the consultations?

In 2010, the primary purpose of Parks Canada’s public consultation on Sable Island was to secure public comment on the conservation, management and operational issues associated with the designation of Sable Island as a national park. Parks Canada also was interested in gathering the public’s input on their vision for Sable Island as a national park.

Who did you consult?

Parks Canada has had discussions with the existing advisory group for Sable Island, relevant federal and provincial departments, the Mi’kmaq, special interest groups such as environmental and cultural heritage organizations, existing island users and industry (e.g. petroleum, commercial fishing and tourism) and the general public throughout this process.

Have the results of the public consultations be communicated?

Yes. A report entitled Sable Island – What We Heard: A Summary of Public Input has been produced by Parks Canada. . This report has been sent to those who expressed an interest in receiving a copy during public consultations and it is also available on Parks Canada’s Sable Island web site. This report provides a summary of the input received, along with some background information and an overview of subsequent steps.

Will you be doing more consultations in the future?

Yes. Although consultations associated with the establishment phase have concluded, once Sable Island is formally designated a national park, Parks Canada will be developing a management plan. This process will include more extensive consultations with the Mi’kmaq First Nation, stakeholders and the general public.

What are the next steps?

The next steps in the park establishment process include:

• Canada and Nova Scotia will negotiate a federal-provincial park establishment agreement and a new bill will be introduced in the House of Commons to amend the Canada National Parks Act to include Sable Island as a national park;
• Once legislation is in place, Parks Canada will assume the operations of Sable Island. The transition to prepare for this would include staffing, resource inventories, and an evaluation of the state of the island.
• The development of a management plan with the involvement of the Mi’kmaq, our partners, stakeholders and the public. The management plan will include a vision, key strategies, objectives and actions for protection, visitor experience and public outreach education.

When will the national park actually be established?

There are a number of steps to work through, including legislative processes at both levels of government. Therefore, it is difficult to forecast a specific date.

Parks Canada is working with the Government of Nova Scotia and our partners in other federal government departments to move forward designate Sable Island as a national park.

When will Sable Island be open to the public?

Access to Sable Island is currently managed by the Canadian Coast Guard. Members of the public have always been able to apply to the Coast Guard for permission to visit Sable Island and may continue to do so.

Until Sable Island is formally designated as a national park and Parks Canada assumes responsibility for its operation, the island will continue to be managed by the Canadian Coast Guard. Parks Canada will continue to work with the Canadian Coast Guard and our other federal government partners to ensure a smooth transition towards the establishment of an operational national park for the island.

How can I make arrangements to visit Sable Island?

As long as the island is still administered under the Sable Island Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act, prospective visitors must request permission to visit in writing, from the Director of Maritime Service, Canadian Coast Guard.

Canadian Coast Guard
Regional Director, Maritime Services
P.O. Box 1000
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 3Z8
(902) 426-9022

Please consult the Coast Guard’s Visitors’ Guide to Sable Island for more information.

How can I learn more about Sable Island?

Parks Canada has prepared a series of fact sheets about the natural and cultural history of the island, as well as background information about the Parks Canada Agency.

For more information, including links, please visit the “Learn More” page on our Web site

The Green Horse Society Web site is also a valuable source of information about Sable, as is the Sable Island material presented by the Nova Scotia Museum.