Strait of Canso Offshore Wind Task Force

The Strait of Canso: Progress Runs Deep

Building Momentum for Canada’s Clean Energy Future

Nova Scotia is pursuing offshore wind development as a renewable resource that will produce green energy at the scale required to meet market demands. The development of 5 GW of offshore wind in Nova Scotia by 2030 will increase access to clean energy for Canadians, contribute to Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, and create clean fuel exports to stimulate economic growth and provide Canada’s international partners with reliable, secure energy. The Strait of Canso has extraordinary technical offshore wind resources, combined with proximity to international markets, an icefree, deep-water port, and the capacity to build the workforce required for industry success. The Strait of Canso Offshore Wind Task Force was created to pursue the opportunities that these competitive advantages provide, to ready the region and its stakeholders for an emerging offshore wind industry that is developed in a responsible, sustainable, and inclusive way.

Who We Are

The Strait of Canso Offshore Wind Task Force is a volunteer-led initiative, comprised of a diverse membership. Since it began, the Task Force has represented the socioeconomic interests of the Strait region, by facilitating early engagement and promoting the Strait of Canso’s profile and competitive advantages at a regional, national, and international level. The Task Force has advocated for, and participated in, the development of regulations for the offshore wind industry in Nova Scotia alongside the provincial and federal governments. Together, the membership continues to support responsible and inclusive development of the offshore wind industry in the Strait Area.

Promote the successful growth of a regional green energy cluster by working with stakeholders at all levels to ensure that the Strait Area, and the greater Cape Breton and Nova Scotia regions, can offer an attractive and comprehensive investment opportunity in all phases of offshore wind energy development.

Advocate and encourage inward investment and funding in the Strait Area to support the burgeoning offshore wind and green fuels industries, including supply chain analysis and development, port infrastructure, and commercial and industrial manufacturing.

Engagement that is meaningful, timely, and inclusive. Communicating with local and regional Indigenous Communities and Groups, municipalities, ocean users, community groups, and private enterprise to understand their expectations and concerns while continuing respectful, collaborative knowledge sharing

Advocate and encourage inward investment and funding in the Strait Area to support the burgeoning offshore wind and green fuels industries, including supply chain analysis and development, port infrastructure, and commercial and industrial manufacturing.


The work of the Task Force aligns with the Government of Canada’s federal Sustainable Development Strategy 2022-2026 and Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. Development of five-gigawatts of offshore wind in Nova Scotia by 2030 will be the starting point to increase access to clean energy for Canadians, reduce GHG emissions, and create clean fuel exports to stimulate economic growth and provide Canada’s international partners with reliable and secure energy.

The Task Force at Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) gathering and sharing knowledge at FORCE in Parrsboro, NS.

The Strait of Canso Offshore Wind Task Force is excited to announce that their Terms of Reference have been approved by over 30 signatories who are committed to working together to advance our clean energy future.

Want to learn more?

Please contact:

Jennifer MacNeil, Mitacs Accelerate Intern
Cape Breton Partnership
jennifer@capebretonpartnership.com.

Amanda Mombourquette, Co-Chair
Warden of the Municipality of the County of Richmond and Community Innovation Lead at NSCC: Strait Area Campus
amombourquette@richmondcounty.ca

Brenda Chisholm-Beaton, Co-Chair
Mayor of the Town of Port Hawkesbury
bchisholmbeaton@townofph.ca

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