Important Notice – Temporary Closures Due to Fire Risk

updated Aug 6, 2025

Due to extreme wildfire risk, the Province of Nova Scotia has implemented temporary restrictions on travel and activities in wooded areas, effective August 5, 2025. These restrictions apply to all forested parkland, including trails and wooded spaces.

As a result, the following Shubenacadie Canal Commission sites are closed until further notice:

NEW: Shubie Park Update

  • Trails are now closed.

  • Access to the dock and Wildwood Water Sports kayak rentals is now permitted under a provincial operations permit (dock is approx. 120 ft / 36.5 m from the parking lot).

  • Portobello Incline Plane – Entire site closed.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in keeping our parks and communities safe.

Paddling Through the Past: A Kayak Tour with Mainstreet's Rob Doublett

When the Shubenacadie Canal was first surveyed in 1767, it was envisioned as a vital transportation route linking Halifax with the rich agricultural lands, timber stands, and coal deposits of northern Nova Scotia and the Annapolis Valley. While the canal never fully achieved its original commercial ambitions, it has taken on a new role in recent decades—as a beloved recreational space and a living piece of Nova Scotia’s history.

Since 1984, the Shubenacadie Canal Commission has been working to preserve this unique waterway, honouring both its historical significance and its evolving role in the community.

In 2024, Mainstreet's Rob Doublett joined Commissioner Cait Green for a guided kayak tour through Shubie Park. As they paddled, they discussed the canal's storied past, its enduring importance, and the Commission’s current efforts—including our Kayak Raffle Fundraiser—to support conservation and public engagement.

You can listen to the full segment here: Take a Tour

Special thanks to Wildwood Water Sports for providing the kayaks for this

Win Big While Supporting a Nova Scotian Treasure

The Shubenacadie Canal Commission is thrilled to launch our Fourth Annual Kayak Raffle — your chance to win the ultimate paddling prize and support one of Nova Scotia’s most cherished waterways!

This year’s prize package includes:

  • Two Quest 10 Riot Kayaks

  • Two Poseidon paddles

  • Two personal flotation devices (PFDs)

  • Two marine safety kits

Whether you're a seasoned paddler or just starting out, this prize will set you up for endless adventures on the water.

Why Your Ticket Makes a Difference

The Shubenacadie Waterway is a breathtaking 114-kilometre stretch of rivers and lakes linking Halifax Harbour to the Bay of Fundy. More than just a scenic route, it's a living piece of Nova Scotia’s history — a place where recreation, culture, and heritage come together.

As a non-profit charity, the Shubenacadie Canal Commission works year-round to protect and enhance this vital waterway. Funds raised through this raffle help us:

  • Improve public access points

  • Maintain and restore historic infrastructure

  • Offer educational and cultural programming

Every ticket you buy helps ensure that this incredible natural and historic resource is available for generations to come.

Special Thanks

We’re proud to partner with Freedom Canoe & Kayak once again.

🎟️ Get your tickets now and paddle into summer with purpose!
Stay tuned to social media for ticket info, draw dates, and more exciting updates.

Thank you for supporting the Shubenacadie Canal Commission — and good luck!

Celebrating the Living Legacy of the Shubenacadie Waterway

The Shubenacadie Waterway has long been a vital corridor of connection—first as a trade route for the Mi’kmaq people for thousands of years and later as a key link during the Industrial Age. Today, it remains a place of deep cultural and historical significance.

We were honored to collaborate with Discover Halifax and the Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Enterprise Network on a special project that highlights this waterway’s enduring legacy. This initiative brought together experts, historians, and storytellers to share its remarkable past and ongoing importance.

A huge thank you to everyone who brought this project to life especially Roger Lewis, Robert Bernard, Graham Marshall, Richard MacMichael, and the amazing team at Mirror Image Media.

This waterway is more than just history—it’s a living legacy, connecting past, present, and future.

🎥 Watch the video below

 
 
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