With Ottawa’s handling of the lobster fishery under scrutiny, southwest Nova Scotia voters say this election is all about who really understands their way of life
In the coastal fishing towns of southwest Nova Scotia, the heartbeat of the community isn’t politics — it’s lobster.
But as federal election season heats up, the turmoil in the fishery is turning up the political temperature in two key ridings: South Shore–St. Margarets and the newly renamed Acadie–Annapolis.
“We need the lobster industry — it’s all we’ve got,” says Michael Cotter, who runs Cotter Seafood Products in Lockeport. “It affects everything down to the guy selling potatoes on the corner.”
A Community Anchored in Uncertainty
For people like Cotter, the economic ripple of the fishery goes far beyond the wharf. His plant employs 25 people and connects to markets around the globe. Yet uncertain regulations, Indigenous rights disputes, and global trade tensions are leaving many unsure of what — or who — to vote for.
Down the coast in Meteghan, fourth-generation fisherman Roger LeBlanc puts it more bluntly:
“Liberal Ottawa threw us aside like we’re nobody.”
That kind of sentiment — anti-Trudeau but not necessarily anti-Liberal — is echoing loudly across the region, where voters have historically flipped between the red and blue parties. With Trudeau out of the picture and Mark Carney now leading the Liberals, both ridings remain politically volatile.
Two Ridings at the Heart of Canada’s Lobster Economy
Together, South Shore–St. Margarets and Acadie–Annapolis represent the most lucrative lobster fishing zones in the country. But they’ve also become a flashpoint for conflict over Indigenous treaty rights and commercial fishing rules.
Tensions have simmered since 2020, when Sipekne’katik First Nation launched its own self-regulated lobster fishery in St. Mary’s Bay, asserting their constitutionally protected right to a “moderate livelihood” — a right upheld by the Supreme Court’s 1999 Marshall Decision.
However, the federal government’s response has left both Mi’kmaw communities and commercial harvesters frustrated, with many calling for clearer rules — and stricter enforcement.
What the Candidates Are Saying
Conservative Incumbents Push for Enforcement
Both ridings are currently held by Conservatives.
- Chris d’Entremont (Acadie–Annapolis):
“Fishing is the No. 1 issue on the door… We need to let officers do their job.”
- Rick Perkins (South Shore–St. Margarets):
“After 10 lost years under the Liberals, we’ll deliver a fishery focused on growth and sustainability.”
Both are campaigning hard on enforcement of commercial fishing seasons and claim the Liberal record has created more chaos than clarity.
Liberals Try to Reset — Without Defending Trudeau
Interestingly, none of the Liberal candidates are defending Justin Trudeau’s track record.
- Ronnie LeBlanc, a former MLA and longtime fisherman, says:
“I believe Mark Carney will bring a new, pragmatic, solutions-first approach.”
- Jessica Fancy-Landry, a first-time candidate and teacher, says:
“I’m here to listen and learn — and bring a real action plan back to Ottawa.”
They’re positioning themselves as fresh voices who can reconnect with disillusioned fishing communities.
Tariffs, Jobs, and Global Trade
Adding fuel to the fire:
- China slapped a 25% tariff on Canadian seafood in March.
- Fears persist that U.S. President Donald Trump could target Canadian lobster next.
- Clearwater Seafoods abruptly exited the live lobster business earlier this year, closing its Lockeport line and eliminating dozens of jobs.
“We need leaders to step up now,” said Cotter. “Before small towns like ours get left behind.”
What’s on the Ballot?
Other contenders include:
- NDP: Ingrid Deon (Acadie–Annapolis) — backs Indigenous fishing rights but opposes illegal fishing by non-Indigenous fishers.
- Greens: Matthew Piggott and Mark Embrett
- PPC: James Strange and Patrick Boyd
South Shore–St. Margarets’ NDP candidate withdrew before the election deadline, leaving the party without a name on the ballot there.
Final Thought: More Than Politics — It’s About Survival
In this part of Nova Scotia, the question isn’t just who will win — it’s who truly understands what’s at stake.
Fishing isn’t just a job. It’s a culture, a legacy, and for many families, a lifeline. And unless politicians offer clear, concrete solutions to safeguard that future, voters like Cotter and LeBlanc may remain unconvinced — or stay home altogether.
