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Protected Areas Commitments
| Original 1990 Manitoba government commitments to complete protected areas networks that represent landscapes in Manitoba's natural regions, have been reconfirmed by Manitoba's current government. Each government Action Plan for a Network of Protected Areas, since 1993, contains specific goals and timelines for establishment of new protected areas. Many of these goals are not yet met. Currently Manitoba is also without an Action Plan. Manitoba's 1998 Memorandum of Understanding for First Nation Protected Areas was extended and confirmed by the current Manitoba government. Most new protected areas in Manitoba since 1998 were established based on the requirements of the First Nations MOU. Many protected areas establishment commitments were renewed during the 2007 Manitoba Election. In particular the governing NDP renewed its commitment for First Nations communities to nominate lands to be protected from industrial development. View Manitoba Wildlands 2007 election survey, protected areas section  View Manitoba Summary of political parties' election 2007 platforms and releases regarding the environment, including protected areas and parks View Manitoba Conservation & Environment Policies/Commitments 1999-2007 (Protected areas commitments are a category, by year) View Manitoba government environment and lands and waters policy releases since 1999
2005-2007 Protected Areas Commitments Listing Download Manitoba Wildlands' updated 2005-2007 listing of Manitoba Government Protected Areas Commitments (PDF)Download Manitoba Wildlands' updated 2005-2007 listing of Manitoba Government Protected Areas Commitments - Full Sources (PDF)Protected Areas Commitments - AuditManitoba Wildlands also aims to analyze and comment on the validity, status and progress regarding these environmental commitments, declarations and policies from the Manitoba government Throne and Budget speeches and associated documentation. We will post analysis for the five categories (see above) as they are completed.Download the Manitoba Wildlands Protected Areas Analysis/Audit - Conservation & Environment Policies/Commitments, Manitoba Government 1999-2006 (PDF) Updated Election CommitmentsManitoba Wildlands provincial and federal election surveys in 1999, 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007 contain protected areas content, and other categories. Protected areas commitments in 1999 are posted in letter form.View Manitoba Wildlands Federal & Provincial Election surveys and promises 2006 Throne SpeechThe Manitoba government included a significant protected areas establishment commitment in the 2006 Throne Speech. Finance Minister Selinger indicated that Manitoba would establish at least one significant new protected area a year. Significant implies protected areas of significant size and ecological value. As of June 1, 2007 no new significant protected areas have been established. Protected lands requests from First Nations involved in the World Heritage Site are outstanding, and over 100 candidates designed by Manitoba Conservation, many within boreal forest regions, are still unprotected.View the Manitoba government 2006 Throne speech Download the Manitoba Wildlands report: Manitoba Conservation & Environment Policies/Commitments 1999-2007 (PDF) Updated January 2008
Canada Wide Status Report 2000-2005
The Canadian Protected Areas Status Report 2000 - 2005 (released 2007) describes the current state (as of end of 2005) of terrestrial and marine protected areas across Canada. Governments and protected areas agencies conducted a "self assessment" regarding the status of protected areas design, planning, management and establishment across the country.The report confirms that Canada and its provinces and territories (including Manitoba) recognize the IUCN (World Conservation Union) definition of a protected area: an area of land and/or sea dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means
Specifically, Canadian government considers protected areas to be those classified as Category I - IV by the IUCN, where industrial activities such as mining, forestry, and hydro development are regarded as being incompatible with management objectives. For Manitoba, which has not updated its Action Plan for a Network of Protected Areas since it lapsed at the end of 2003, this report reaffirms the definition of a protected area and reiterates standards for activities permitted and prohibited within protected areas. The report text provided by Manitoba also acknowledges that pre-existing public policy regarding protected areas establishment continues to be in place in Manitoba. Other findings from the report:
Visit the Environment Canada webpage and download sections of the report Download the report map: Terrestrial Protected Areas Summary Manitoba page 48 (PDF)Download the report chart: Terrestrial Protected Areas Summary Manitoba page 47 (PDF)Source: Government of Canada |
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Federal Provincial Parks CouncilThe directors of Parks for each provincial or territorial jurisdiction in Canada, and Parks Canada make up the Federal Provincial Park Council. They undertake joint research, exchange management or parks establishment information, and publish joint material.The Manitoba section in Working Together: Parks and Protected Areas in Canada is provided below. It contains a summary of protected areas actions during the 1990s, and intended activity to complete Manitoba's network of protected areas. Contents were provided by Manitoba Conservation. Visit the Federal Provincial Parks Council web site View the FPPC report issued at the end of the World Wildlife Fund Canada Endangered Spaces Campaign below. |
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Federal Provincial Parks Council - Reports Page Download Working Together: Parks and Protected Areas In Canada (PDF 7MB)Download Manitoba Section (PDF) If you only want a portion of the report, see this page. |
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World Heritage Site ProtectionView the Manitoba Wildlands 2007 election survey and results Download the 2007 Manitoba NDP environment commitments (PDF)Manitoba Wildlands is providing a listing of commitments to support this World Heritage Site made by the Manitoba government (PDF) Updated For further information regarding the World Heritage Site nomination Action Plan 2000 - 2003Manitoba's NDP government renewed and extended the Action Plan for a Network of Protected Areas in 2000. The Action Plan was based on the same goals and ecological methods, and same natural regions system used since 1993. The protected areas networks in Manitoba, especially in the forest regions remain incomplete. Over 100 Areas of Special Interest designed by Manitoba Conservation continue to be available for protected status. Many of these have been approved by Manitoba's mining sector, with many also nominated by First Nation communities. The definition and ecological assessment of a protected area in Manitoba continue to be in place and reflected in public policy.Manitoba Wildlands issues an annual technical assessment and grade regarding the Manitoba's government's actions to establish new protected areas. Manitoba Wildlands also issues an annual protected areas audit that contains the regulatory and technical information for protected areas in the province. Forest Regions Protection
During 2002, the provincial government renewed their protected areas commitments. See Next Steps: Priorities for Sustaining Manitoba's Forests, page 5. The policy document is posted by the Manitoba government, and referenced by the Conservation Minister in speeches over time.View the report, Next Steps: Priorities for Sustaining Manitoba's Forests |
2002 Budget PapersOn April 26, 2002 the Manitoba Minister of Finance released Manitoba Budget Papers which contain a map of areas under review for protected status, protected sites since 2000, and a renewed statement of intent.View the 2002 Manitoba Government Budget papers "Manitoba is building a 'network' of protected areas based on scientific principles of ecological representation and integrity, to conserve ecosystems and help maintain the biodiversity found within the province. Much has been done, and much remains to do." (Page A40, Budget Papers 2002) |
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Manitoba Private Lands Protection
First Nations Protected Areas MOU
| There are over sixty First Nation communities in Manitoba. They are organized in three Assemblies, and several tribal councils. First Nation communities in Manitoba are covered by treaties #1 to #5. Manitoba also has many Métis communities. Often these are located near a treaty community. In northern Manitoba many First Nation and Métis communities are accessible only by plane for the majority of the year, with winter roads (over the ice and snow) for 2 or 3 months each winter. Decisions regarding public lands and waters affect First Nation and Métis communities. Therefore, the obligation for meaningful consultations with First Nation and Métis communities in relation to treaty and constitutional rights is an essential part of decision making about Manitoba's lands and waters. A memorandum of understanding regarding identification, establishment and management of protected areas in Manitoba by First Nation communities was signed in 1998. Manitoba Conservation is responsible for responding to First Nations communities regarding parks and protected areas. First Nations MOU. Manitoba's Conservation Minister has confirmed the principles and intent of the MOU, and the MOU is written into the terms of reference for the East Side Planning Initiative. Download March 5, 1998 MOU between the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Manitoba Natural Resources Working Group (DOC) |
2002-2008