Contact us
Contact us
Atlantic Policy Congress Study Reflects Concerns Over Cumulative Effects
photo of salmon jumping up river
Betty Biesenthal

Atlantic Policy Congress Study Reflects Concerns Over Cumulative Effects

The Atlantic Policy Congress (APC) are fast becoming leaders in addressing cumulative effects in Canada.  Recently, APC hosted its first Cumulative Effects Conference on June 2, 2022 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The conference included a presentation on a study of cumulative effects of human activities and natural processes on Indigenous communities in Atlantic Canada.  The participants were provided some of the findings of a local study on cumulative effects. The study involved a series of key informant interviews, with environmental staff, community leaders and subject-matter experts.  An online survey was also used to gather important data.  The presentation was led by Julia Purcell, Cumulative Effects Project Researcher for APC.
photo of salmon jumping up river
Among the biggest concern for Atlantic First Nations was the salmon fishery. Salmon has been among the most important species for many Mi’gmaq and Maliseet peoples for centuries. One key informant in the study said:

Salmon are an essential indicator of the health of the whole ecosystem. If the habitat quality declines, then we don’t have salmon anymore. Salmon is so central to the culture and the community here that if salmon where to die off we would lose a whole part of our identity.

The study also found that there is concern about certain key human factors including mental health, well-being, and impacts to cultural practices and traditions. Findings also showed concern over environmental costs and impacts to the economy.  One participant shared: 

If climate change and environmental issues keep accelerating, it is going to cost our community millions of dollars for damage control. Nothing is more detrimental than having to move a whole community. It’s not just about the dollars, it’s about losing sacred traditional lands and the fear of having that land disappear.

The study identified that the most concerning stressors for First Nations in Atlantic Canada were land use practices, and concerns over federal and provincial policies respecting the environment. Next steps include the identification of new tools and resources for First Nations to use to assess, manage and mitigate cumulative effects throughout the region.

The APC also plans on developing a new cumulative effects web portal for First Nations to facilitate knowledge sharing and encourage collaboration across the region. 

The APC Cumulative Effects Conference was proudly funded by the Indigenous Centre for Cumulative Effects (ICCE).