| Doer Changes World Heritage Site Target | 16 September 09 |
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Gary Doer made an announcement about the boreal world heritage site (WHS) for the east side of Manitoba before public knowledge that he is now Canada's Ambassador to the US. First Nations in both Manitoba and Ontario, with the governments of Ontario, Manitoba and Canada, are working toward establishment of a 4 million hectare boreal world heritage site. The idea was contained in the 2002 Accord among the First Nations. The site is also on Canada's official short list of future WHS. The list was released in 2004 and applies for 10 years from that date. Manitoba government support was announced November 2004. In his speech to the August national NDP convention in Halifax, Nova Scotia Mr. Doer said: "It will take us another 10 years to get that site set up as a World Heritage Site. It will take longer but it will be more sustainable for the people living in that area and more sustainable for our planet." Gaile Whelan Enns, director of Manitoba Wildlands, commented: "I don't think any of the communities, government staff, or other partners in the WHS are aware of this decision, this delay. We assume the Manitoba government's moratorium on any developments that would affect lands to be included in the WHS will also be extended. This must mean funding to assist the communities with technical work for the WHS will also continue for the new ten year period." Requests from First Nations involved in the WHS for protection from development of traditional lands remain outstanding, some from ten years ago. View Gary Doer's August 14, 2009 speech at NDP conventionView Proposed World Heritage Maps Source: Manitoba Wildlands |
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