Canadian Nature Federation
412-63 Albert Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 1G4
Phone : 204-944-9593 Fax: 204-947-3076 E-mail: gwhelan@web.ca
Release 8:30 AM May 30, 2002
Manitoba Protected Areas Stalled
Annual Grade Drops Again
The Canadian Nature Federation released its annual assessment
of Manitoba's protected areas actions today. Dropping from a C - last year,
Manitoba receives a D grade for not acting on its protected areas
commitments. "Manitoba led the country in the proportion of our province
protected from development during the l990s. Now Manitoba has stalled,"
said Gaile Whelan Enns, Manitoba Wildlands Campaign director."The government renewed and made significant new commitments for establishment of protected areas this year. However, they are not making protected areas decisions. Instead, the government appears intent on a variety of development decisions. The government's own public policy regarding protected areas is clear and action is overdue."
"We want to congratulations the Sayisi Dene community at Tadoule Lake and the community of Churchill for their support to move Caribou River Park Reserve to permanent protected status. These communities have taken a step to take care of these northern lands for all of us."
The Conservation First principle, as outlined by World Wildlife Fund Canada and other conservation organizations across Canada, reflects the urgency Canadians feel about protecting our natural lands, especially forest regions. In Manitoba Conservation First needs to be part of all planning, and crown lands decisions.
The annual protected areas grade for Manitoba assesses the government of Manitoba's actions on commitments for protected areas establishment. The grade criteria have been in place for several years. Applied annually, the grade measures whether the government of Manitoba is living up to its commitments to establish protected areas.
The Manitoba protection standard prohibits logging, mining, hydroelectric activity, or activities that cause significant alterations to habitat in a protected area. There are well over one hundred areas of special interest under review for protected status in Manitoba.
www.manitobawildlands.org