The Throne Speech claimed that the Manitoba government has protected one million hectares of land and waters in the last year. In the period between October 2009, and January 2010 the regulatory steps were taken to protect: Kaskatamagan and Kaskatamagan Sipi wildlife management areas (WMA). These were reported in the Manitoba Wildlands protected areas grade for 2009. (Of the 558,810 ha Kaskatamagan WMA 259,530 ha are protected, in Kaskatamagan Sipi WMA the entire 133,820 ha are protected)

As of November 30, 2010 regulatory steps to protect the two new parks are not complete, and surveys of the designations are not available. Lack of surveys and online mapping data leaves the size of these new parks unknown, as boundaries were adjusted a few times. No government press release, or website content exists for the parks announced November 16, 2010.

"We are pleased to see the Selinger government taking steps to catch up on protected areas establishment in our boreal regions. It should be noted, though, these four new protected areas are all above the tree line. Commitments to establish new protected areas in boreal regions includes where there are forests! Action for an advisory committee regarding protection of northern peatlands and their carbon reservoirs is lagging. Information that used to be transparent regarding consultations before new protected areas are announced, is not available." commented Gaile Whelan Enns, director of Manitoba Wildlands.

Manitoba Wildlands issues an annual protected areas audit and grade for government actions in our province, based on the calendar year. The same grading criteria and technical standards have been used for the Manitoba protected areas grade over the last two decades.