Manitoba Wildlands Canada Federal Election Survey - 2004
This 2004 federal election survey has been sent to the five national political parties in Canada. All questions relate to federal government responsibility or jurisdiction for environmental issues in Manitoba. Answers are assumed to apply after the 2004 federal election, regardless of outcome. See ManitobaWildlands.org for information about these issues in Manitoba, and previous election surveys. The survey requests either a Yes or No answer to each question, with comments optional.
Will your government honour and fulfill the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Manitoba Government for a new national park in Manitoba's Interlake region? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government abide by existing Manitoba protocols for consultation with First Nations about protected areas establishment, specifically the Manitoba First Nation Protected Areas MOU, in the negotiation process for the national park referred to above? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government allocate new financial resources to the Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve for management of this important area? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____ Provide time table please.
Will your government enter into an agreement with the Government of Manitoba to protect the area around Wapusk National Park (currently designated as a Manitoba Wildlife Management Area)? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government cooperate with the Manitoba government to establish National Wildlife Refuges (under the National Wildlife Act) if such designation is requested by affected First Nations? YES_____ NO_____ Comment____
Would your government commit to cooperation (through the Department of National Defense) with the Manitoba Government to work towards designation of additional protected lands within the Shilo Defense Base? (Precedent set in 1998 with protection of 10,000 ha of lands and waters for non-military use.) YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Would your government commit to cooperate (through Agriculture Canada) with the Manitoba Government to work towards protection of community pastures in southern Manitoba? (Grazing rights protected also.) YES_____ NO_____ Comment______
Would your government cooperate with the Manitoba government to protect the tall grass prairie lands within the Department of Defense (Winnipeg) St. Charles rifle range? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Would your government cooperate with Manitoba to designate a Marine Protected Area adjacent to Wapusk national park, in Hudson Bay? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government support "Canada's updated Tentative List for World Heritage Sites (WHS - April 2004)" and take an active role in the process to nominate and protect Canada's sites, as listed by Environment Canada? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government actively support the Atikaki/Woodland Caribou/First Nation World Heritage Site transboundary nomination? (East side of Manitoba/north west Ontario) YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government work with the provinces to move Canada's Heritage River System to protected status through either federal or provincial or territorial designation? YES_____ NO_____ Comment______
Will your government make use of emergency and safety net provisions of the Species At Risk Act to safeguard Manitoba's Woodland Caribou, now listed as threatened in Manitoba? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government make use of emergency and safety new provisions of the Species at Risk Act to safeguard other species in Manitoba, for which COSEWIC may recommend emergency action? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government ensure that an assessment of impacts on any existing and potential protected areas in the natural region(s) affected by a proposed project is part of the environmental assessment for any joint assessment under the Manitoba - Canada cooperative assessment agreement? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government ensure that an assessment of impacts respecting existing and proposed protected areas is part of all comprehensive studies regarding projects in Manitoba, undertaken under CEAA by various Responsible Agencies? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government ensure that federal experts are available and participate in hearings to review projects where the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is involved under the Canada Manitoba Agreement on Environmental Assessment Cooperation, including and especially for forestry, and hydro development? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____ Provide time table please.
Will your government ensure that consultations with First Nations meet the standards outlined by the federal courts as part of environmental assessments where the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is involved under the Canada Manitoba Agreement on Environmental Assessment Cooperation, including and especially for forestry, and hydro development? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government honour the letter of agreement between the Manitoba government and Canada's Minister of the Environment regarding the Shellmouth Dam and Lake of the Prairies? YES_____ NO_____ Comment____
Will your government ensure that the environmental assessment regarding changes to the Shellmouth Dam is independent, thorough, includes all areas of federal responsibility, and is publicly available? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government ensure that a full comprehensive study is provided for public comment, and that the environmental assessment of the Shellmouth Dam consistent with CEAA standards and the Canadian-Manitoba Cooperative Assessment Agreement? YES_____ NO_____ Comment______
Will your government provide technical support and make available federal scientific experts to assist the Manitoba government in its efforts to 'clean up' and address nutrient loading, water quality, and species survival issues associated with Lake Winnipeg? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government provide financial support to assist the Manitoba government in its efforts to 'clean up' and address nutrient loading, species survival, and water quality issues associated with Lake Winnipeg? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government support the notification, participation, and meaningful consultation with affected First Nations regarding Lake Winnipeg clean up, management, and use? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____ Provide time table please.
Will your government provide technical support and make available federal scientific experts to assist the Manitoba government in its efforts to monitor water quality in Manitoba? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government ensure that all water monitoring data across Canada is made public on a timely basis, including through web site posting? YES_____ NO_____ Comment____
Will your government support Manitoba in its legislative decision NOT to export water as per Manitoba's Water Resources Conservation and Protection Act? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_____
Will your government commit to providing funds to support planning for lands on the East Side of Lake Winnipeg in areas where there is federal responsibility? Specifically,
Will your government commit funds to support the First Nations-led process to achieve World Heritage Site status for 4 million ha of lands and waters in eastern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario? YES_____ NO_____
Will your government commit funds to share the cost with the Manitoba government for a transportation system plan for the east side of Lake Winnipeg? YES_____ NO_____
Will your government commit funds to support traditional use studies and community planning exercises initiated and directed by First Nation and Aboriginal communities on the East Side of Lake Winnipeg? YES_____ NO_____
Will your government invest in independent climate change studies, specific to the East of Lake Winnipeg boreal forest regions? YES_____ NO_____
Does your government agree that conservation and community based land use plans for the East Side of Lake Winnipeg forest regions should be undertaken prior to decisions regarding land use? YES_____ NO_____ COMMENT__________
Will your government encourage all provinces and territories to put Renewable Portfolio Standards for new renewable energy in place immediately (following the example of PEI, New Brunswick, Ontario and 14 US states)? YES ____ NO_____ Comment_________
Will your government put in place a system of transparent, public reporting for emissions, and carbon stocks for Canada? YES_______ NO_____ Comment_________
Will your government guarantee that energy projects with federal government funding will be subject to all standards and guidelines under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) as part of the environmental assessment for the project? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_________
Will your government guarantee that all transboundary transmission systems for new energy projects will be subject to all regulations, standards and guidelines under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) as part of the environmental assessment for the project? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_________
Will your government ensure that First Nation and Aboriginal rights will be respected and accommodated (as per consultation standards set by Canada's courts) as part of environmental assessments under CEAA for energy projects with federal government funding, including all transmission systems projects? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_________
Will your government ensure that the National Energy Board continues to take into account environmental impacts, and First Nations rights inside Canada when reviewing permit applications? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_________
Will your government commit to the creation of a CEAA standard for including an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon sequestration as part of the environmental assessment process? YES_____ NO_____ Comment_________
