HALIFAX — The Nova Scotia Liberal Party is promising to launch a public inquiry into illegal fishing if elected to govern on Nov. 26.

Liberal Leader Zach Churchill released a statement today saying his party would also reintroduce a policy of no tolerance and minimum fines for those caught buying illegally caught lobster.

Additionally, Churchill pledged to create a dedicated fisheries enforcement unit and a separate commercial fisheries office.

Illegal lobster fishing is a hot topic in southwest Nova Scotia, where Churchill was scheduled to campaign in his home riding of Yarmouth.

In Halifax, NDP Leader Claudia Chender promised to protect the province’s coastline from the effects of climate change by reintroducing the Coastal Protection Act.

When first introduced, the law received cross-party support, but previous Liberal and Conservative governments chose not to make it law.

Meanwhile, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston was scheduled to campaign in Cape Breton today, and Chender was scheduled to poll voters in Halifax with federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published November 1, 2024.

The Canadian Press