-1- September 9, 2024 Senator Paul J. Massicotte Committee Chair Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources The Senate of Canada Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A4 Paul.Massicotte@sen.parl.gc.ca Senator Marc Gold Government Representative in the Senate The Senate of Canada Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A4 Marc.Gold@sen.parl.gc.ca Dear Senator Massicotte & Senator Gold, I am writing to you with regards to the Senate’s consideration of Bill C -49:

An Act to amend the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada- Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. This legislation is critical to the future of Nova Scotia. As Minister Rushton communicated to the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources on June 13, 2024, offshore wind has the potential to be our greatest economic opportunity since the age of sail.

This new sector to Canada has the potential to also contribute to our collective climate goals, establish our emerging green hydrogen sector, and our net-zero emissions future. Through the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, my Government has been actively involved in the drafting of Bill C-49 as presented to the Senate Committee. In fact, this legislation was co -developed by Nova Scotia, the Province of N ewfoundland and Labrador, and Natural Resources Canada.

It is a strong testament to our years of effective and collaborative co - management of our offshore and a sign of our positive working relationship in establishing the offshore wind sector in Canada. -2- One aspect of this collaboration involves engagement with partners.

In a joint letter addressed to Chief Terry Paul, Membertou First Nation, Minister Rushton and Minister Wilkinson have affirmed our shared commitment to ensuring that areas that are not sui table for future offshore wind development are identified through spatial planning processes and engagement with Indigenous groups, fishers, and other interested parties. Further, the letter indicates that our governments intend to initiate a public proces s that would lead to prohibiting the issuance of submerged land licences for offshore wind projects on Georges Bank.

Taking actions to prohibit offshore wind on Georges Bank will be our first priority once we have the authority to do so, following the coming into force of Bill C-49 and provincial mirror legislation. I understand that the letter to Chief Paul will be delivered shortly. I would also note that the fisheries sector has been advised of these plans, through communication with the Seafood Producers Association of Nova Scotia (SPANS).

As you know, the Province must also introduce ‘mirror legislation’ to amend the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation (Nova Scotia) Act in order for the full legislative regime to be in effect. To this end and anticipating t he Senate’s timely consideration of Bill C-49, my Government has taken the step to introduce the Nova Scotia First Act. This Bill includes mirror provisions of C -49 and is being introduced now so we may be in a position to proclaim our respective amendments at the same time.

I wish to reaffirm the Province of Nova Scotia’s support for Bill C -49 in its current form and kindly request its timely passage. This is necessary to ensure the ‘mirroring’ principle with Nova Scotia’s legislation and to ensure we can reach our commitment to launch the first offshore wind call for bids in 2025. Yours truly, Honourable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia cc: Raymond St. Martin, Committee Clerk Senator Josée Verner, Committee Deputy Chair Senator Iris G.

Petten, Senate Sponsor, Bill C-49 Nova Scotia Senators: Senator Stephen Greene Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard -3- Senator Réjean Aucoin Senator Jane Cordy Senator Mary Coyle Senator Rodger Cuzner Senator Colin Deacon Senator Stan Kutcher Senator Michael L. MacDonald Senator Paul J. Prosper Senator Donald N. Plett, Leader of the Opposition Senator Raymonde Saint-Germain, Facilitator, Independent Senators Group Senator Scott Tannas, Leader, Canadian Senators Group Senator Pierre J. Dalphond, Leader, Progressive Senators Group Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Canada Hon.

Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables, Province of Nova Scotia Hon. Andrew Furey, Premier, Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Hon. Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, Province of Newfoundland and Labrador