St. Peter's Canal Emergency-Use Slipway Installation

The Municipality of the County of Richmond, on behalf of the St. Peter's Volunteer Fire Department (SPVFD), is proposing to construct a slipway at St. Peter's Canal National Historic Site, in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The slipway will be located on the Atlantic Ocean side of the canal, to provide a safe and reliable location for launching an approximately 18–20 ft emergency rescue Zodiac vessel. The construction will consist of the installation of five precast concrete slabs, each measuring approximately 3.1 m by 3.7 m, and the placement of additional armour stone as required. Excavation and grading will be required to prepare the site and support installation of the precast concrete slabs. The proposed works will be completed using heavy equipment, including an excavator, operating from above the ordinary high-water mark. A locked gate will be installed to restrict access to authorized emergency responders. Public access will not be permitted for the slipway. The slipway will improve reliable emergency access to the water and help reduce response times for water rescue and other emergency incidents.

Latest update

August 24, 2026 – Parks Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada intends to make a determination regarding whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Parks Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are inviting public comments until September 23, 2026 respecting that determination.

Participate

Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 New project being assessed by Parks Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Public comments invited from August 24, 2026 to September 23, 2026 - August 24, 2026

Contacts

Cape Breton Highlands National Park
7495 Main Street
Louisbourg, Nova Scotia B1C 1H6
Telephone: 902-224-2306
Fax: 902-285-2866
Email: cbinfo@pc.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • St. Peters Canal National Historic Site of Canada (Nova Scotia)

  • Nature of activity

    • Other, not otherwise specified

  • Assessment status

    In progress

  • Start date

    2026-08-24

  • Proponent

    Municipality of the County of Richmond

  • Authorities

    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • Parks Canada Agency

  • Assessment type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference number

    90719

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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