Canada Federal Election Survey - 2006

Protected Areas / National Parks Questions

	YES	NO	Comment
NDP	—	—	As a recent David Suzuki Foundation report notes, Canada contains 20% of the world's remaining natural areas. However, Canada has only increased its major protected areas from 8.9% to 9.9%, well below the average increase in protected areas for all OECD countries of 61%. The report notes that "[i]n terms of terrestrial representation, only 29 of 39 regions are currently represented in the national park system. Overall, Canada ranked 21st of 25 OECD countries in increase in protected areas." This is unacceptable. New Democrats are committed to: Working to complete the system of national parks, beginning with the expansion of Nahanni National Park Reserve and establishing new marine conservation areas from coast to coast to coast. Setting up a National Conservation Fund that will include $250 million from the federal government and leverage another $750 million from other orders of government, NGOs, community groups and other sources. This fund will help ensure the preservation of national wildlife areas, involve the full participation of Aboriginal peoples and engage Canadians in on-the-ground conservation efforts. Sustaining Canada's ancient forests for future generations. The NDP will work with provincial and territorial governments, stakeholders, forest communities, First Nations, and environmentalists to protect Canada's large intact forests (such as the Boreal Forest) and include adequate preserves, and that sustainable forest management is practiced.
Conservative
Green Party
Liberal	—	—	In March 2004, the Liberal government and Manitoba signed a Memorandum of Understanding that committed both governments to negotiate a national park establishment agreement by May 2005. It includes a boundary proposal to improve the representation of the natural region, and better sustain the ecological integrity of the proposed national park. Under the MOU, both governments will consult the public, including affected Aboriginal and local communities, on the boundary proposal. Issues related to a final park boundary and community consultations have prevented Parks Canada and Manitoba from concluding a park establishment agreement for several years.
Bloc

	YES	NO	Comment
NDP	—	—	See #24 response
Conservative
Green Party
Liberal			Consultation with First Nations is expressly written into the stakeholder participation requirements of the federal protected areas policy. It has been a feature of the process that led to the announcement of ten new National Parks in 2003. There is an expectation this will be a part of any future negotiations for protected areas.
Bloc

	YES	NO	Comment
NDP	—	—	See #24 response
Conservative
Green Party
Liberal	—	—	Capacity building is a key component and one of the eligible criteria for gas tax funding through our New Deal for Cities and Communities. This represents $5 billion in sustainable municipal infrastructure investments with Manitoba receiving $167.3 million. At this point, there is little progress on the creation of the new national park. Any action will be dependent on how Manitoba, First Nations and community leaders, want to proceed.
Bloc

	YES	NO	Comment
NDP	—	—	See #24 response
Conservative
Green Party
Liberal	—	—	27, 28, 29. Wapusk National Parks is listed in Schedule 1 of the Canada National Parks Act but have not yet been proclaimed, pending agreement on the regulations to manage traditional renewable resource harvesting activities. Regulations for Wapusk are more complex and will take longer to complete. While we are willing to enter into a protection agreements with Manitoba on areas that surround the park, having Wapusk National Park proclaimed remains our first priority.
Bloc

	YES	NO	Comment
NDP	—	—	See #24 response
Conservative
Green Party
Liberal	—	—	At present, there are no concrete plans at this time to establish a Marine Protected Area in this location. However, the overall approach of the Liberal government has been in direction of more action on Marine Protected areas. Environment Canada, for example, is guided by the principle that all eco-zones in the country including the marine environments should receive some measure of protection in the form of either a National Park or Marine Protected Area.
Bloc

	YES	NO	Comment
NDP	—	—	See #24 response
Conservative
Green Party
Liberal	—	—	See #27 response
Bloc

	YES	NO	Comment
NDP	—	—	See #24 response
Conservative
Green Party
Liberal	—	—	There is a strong case for adding protected land and extending the area already reserved for non-military use. The Liberal party remains committed to the principle that federal government closely cooperate with provincial counterparts in questions of landscape management and protection.
Bloc

	YES	NO	Comment
NDP	—	—	See #24 response
Conservative
Green Party
Liberal			Yes, this is a good area to enter into cooperation with the Manitoba government.
Bloc

	YES	NO	Comment
NDP	—	—	See #24 response
Conservative
Green Party
Liberal	—	—	This is an evolving and complex area of legislation. The Heritage River System is becoming increasingly recognized as a vital part of Canada’s natural heritage. The best approach to achieving a framework for protection would be to have national standards – the Liberal party has historically been a defender of the need for strong national standards. This is a complex question with no easy answers. Waterways and water courses are a federal responsibility. At the same time, we need to respect the provincial jurisdiction over riverbanks. A key principle in this case is – who can protect the riparian habitat the best? We are committed to using all the legislative tools at the federal government’s disposal. The Liberal government passed the Species at Risk Act, which could apply in some instances, and remains committed to the international conventions on biodiversity that call for protection of wetlands.
Bloc

	YES	NO	Comment
NDP	—	—	See #24 response
Conservative
Green Party
Liberal	—	—	This site is a very appropriate candidate for World Heritage status and our government will support its nomination, among other notable natural heritage places
Bloc

	YES	NO	Comment
NDP	—	—	See #24 response
Conservative
Green Party
Liberal
Bloc