New Brunswick’s coastal initiative

The Government of New Brunswick is prioritizing the development and implementation of a coastal plan to safeguard coastal communities. With over 5,500 kilometers of coastline, New Brunswick is increasingly vulnerable to coastal erosion, rising sea levels, stronger storm surges and other growing impacts of climate change.

These vulnerabilities pose serious risks to our natural ecosystems, built infrastructure, and the well-being of residents, especially as development continues in high-risk coastal areas.

In response, the provincial government has expanded the scope of its coastal plan to address a broader range of challenges beyond erosion alone.

Managing New Brunswick’s coastal areas is a complex, multi-jurisdictional effort. Coastal areas in New Brunswick are dynamic and they often span across municipal and county boundaries, connecting multiple communities and ecosystems. Numerous government departments, agencies, community partners, and property owners share responsibility for ensuring sustainable coastal development and enhancing community resilience. Effective coastal management requires collaboration beyond local jurisdictions. Addressing issues like erosion, flooding, infrastructure planning and habitat protection at a broader scale helps ensure that decisions are coordinated, consistent and responsive to the shared challenges faced by coastal regions.

Coastal management touches many sectors, including:

• land use planning
• environmental permitting and oversight
• natural resource and biodiversity conservation
• climate change adaptation and mitigation
• tourism and recreation
• heritage, culture, and traditional practices
• fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal industries
• critical infrastructure planning and maintenance
• emergency preparedness
• disaster recovery and relief

As a part of this initiative, the provincial government has established an interdepartmental working group made up of provincial departments involved in the above coastal-related sectors. This group is focused on strengthening collaboration and coordination across government.

To begin tackling these complex coastal pressures, the provncial government is launching a State of the Coast report. This is a foundational step toward understanding the challenges facing our unique coastal regions and identifying opportunities for improvement and action. This report will lead to recommendations to help protect and strengthen our coastal communities in the face of increasing pressures.

We are collaborating with other provincial and federal departments, Indigenous groups, coastal experts along with input from the public, to develop the report.

What is not included in this report:

• in-land flooding
• full reviews of other provincial programs (although recommendations for actions may apply to other provincial programs)

Through this initiative and the goals of improved collaboration, coordination and near and long-term planning, the provincial goverment is committed to protecting our coastlines and communities in a changing climate. Together, we can ensure that the coastal regions of New Brunswick remain vibrant, safe and sustainable for generations to come.

Your input matters

Your input can help shape the State of the Coast report, the recommendations, and drive improvements on how coastal issues are managed. We are asking for your input to better define coastal pressures in your area, your experience with coastal issues and any gaps in how these issues are managed in New Brunswick. This will help prepare the State of the Coast report and recommendations in the coming months. 

Your feedback is essential to this process. Here’s how you can get involved:

Online survey

The survey is anonymous and takes about 10 minutes to complete. It covers a range of questions related to coastal areas and communities in New Brunswick.

Written submissions

Anyone who wants to provide input beyond the scope of the survey, can provide feedback in writing via email.

Share your feedback

Engagement timeline

Survey and written submissions (Draft State of the Coast Report Development) – open until, December 1, 2025

Public engagement sessions (Draft State of the Coast Report) – planned for Spring/Summer 2026

One of the key tools the province uses to manage coastal areas is environmental legislation and policy. Several provincial laws apply to certain activities along certain areas of the coast. These laws and policies help guide development and environmental management; however, New Brunswick currently lacks enforceable environmental legislation specifically designed to protect its coastlines.