Agricultural Land Use Planning in Nova Scotia: A Case Study in Kings County

Abstract

As part of an ongoing national research project, this thesis examines the nascent policy regime of food sovereignty, along with global competitiveness and farmland preservation, to gain a better understanding of their influence at the Municipal and Provincial levels of government in Kings County, Nova Scotia. Considering ongoing policy shifts at the Federal, Provincial, and Municipal levels of government, analysis of the Kings County legislative framework exposed the strengths and weaknesses of current policy and legislation in place. The results suggest that conflicting stakeholder opinions, lack of Provincial policy implementation across Municipalities, and inconsistent decisions being made at the Municipal level threaten the future of farmland preservation. Results also indicate that a disconnection between the land base and food sovereignty provides a dilemma for local and Provincial planners. Together, these issues pose a problem for future sustainability of Nova Scotia’s food sovereignty.