In fall 2009 Greg Selinger became leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party, and Premier of Manitoba. Mr. Selinger has long been supportive of protected areas establishment for our province. Mr. Bill Blaikie, former long time Winnipeg member of parliament, and new member of the legislature for Elmwood, was appointed minister for Manitoba Conservation, including protected areas decisions, consultations, and technical standards.

The Protected Areas Audit is followed by the Manitoba Protected Areas Grade, each year. The Grade is assessed based on existing provincial public policy, using the same technical and ecological criteria since 1993.

"We expect to see improvements in fulfillment of the many public policy commitments for protected areas from the new administration. This would include fulfillment of Mr. Selinger's protected areas promises made as minister of finance. Our boreal forest regions and forest licence areas require new protected areas as do our taiga regions. There are over 100 candidate sites designed by the government, and 10,000,000 acres approved by the Mining sector waiting for protection, in our province," commented Gaile Whelan Enns, director, Manitoba Wildlands.