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Canada Failing in Species Protection |
30 April 04 |
 Environmental Defence Canada released a Report
Card April 23, 2004 showing federal, provincial and territorial
governments are failing to protect endangered species. The Report
Card examines how governments are meeting the terms of the National
Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk, a federal-provincial
agreement that establishes guidelines for endangered species
legislation and policy. Results reveal enormous gaps in both species
at risk legislation and recovery programs from coast to coast to
coast - gaps that mean more endangered animals and plants will
likely be lost forever. The federal Species At Risk Act (SARA), passed in December 2002, is intended to act as a safeguard to ensure that a minimum level of protection for species at risk exists across the country. The Report Card found that the federal government is not properly implementing SARA, which was scheduled to come into force in June 2003. The Liberal government delayed the coming into force of the most substantive parts of the law by a year, and bureaucratic manoeuvring is threatening to delay and weaken the law further. These actions have undermined SARA to the point where the Report Card gives the federal government an "F" on SARA implementation. At the provincial level, four jurisdictions received a grade of "F" because they do not have stand-alone legislation to protect species at risk, and have failed to provide meaningful protection to these endangered animals and plants. On average, only 36% of scientifically classified "at risk" species are legally listed for protection in Canadian provinces and territories. View the full Environmental Defence Canada press release View the Environmental Defence Canada Report Card View COSEWIC Species listings Source: Environmental Defence
Canada | |
Wealthy Nations Overuse Natural Resources |
30 April 04 |
 Redefining Progress, a US-based non-profit organization
released the 2004 update of the world's leading indicator of
sustainability, the Ecological Footprint Accounts. The 2004
Footprint of Nations concludes that the world's wealthiest nations
are mortgaging the future at the expense of today's children, the
poor, and the long-term health of the Earth. Through excessive
consumption of non-renewable resources, a handful of countries are
depleting global reserves at a faster rate than ever before.
For the first time the United States has the world's largest Footprint at 9.57 hectares (23.7 acres) per person - a sustainable Footprint would be 1.88 hectares (4.6 acres). At the other end of the scale, developing countries like Bangladesh and Mozambique have Footprints of 0.53 hectares (1.3 acres) per capita - just over 1/20th of the US Footprint. Humanity's combined footprint represents an overuse of the earth's natural resources by 15%. The national Ecological Footprint Accounts measure the land area required to support a nation, providing for its needs and absorbing its wastes. The Accounts are composed of six factors: energy use, grazing land, pastureland, fisheries, built land and forests. Redefining Progress's prior reports have focused on the dangers of overusing our natural resources and the effect on future generations. For the first time, this year's report documents the current impact of over-consumption on the world's most vulnerable populations. Redefining Progress has calculated Ecological Footprints for over 130 countries and numerous regions as well as an increasing number of municipalities and businesses. Calculate your own Individual Footprint (in seven languages for 60 countries) on-line View the full news release by Redefining Progress Download The 2004 Footprint of Nations report (PDF 500KB) Source: Redefining
Progress | |
2004 Budget Short on Protected Areas |
22 April 04 |
 The Government of Manitoba released its 2004 budget April
19, 2004. Some conservation issues related to water and energy were
featured in this year's budget. The Lake Winnipeg Stewardship
program, newly introduced legislation on water protection, and the
floodway expansion were highlighted. Manitoba Wildlands Director Gaile Whelan Enns expressed concern over the lack of attention to protected areas establishment, and the vague description of recent activity to protect lands in Manitoba. "The 2004 budget refers to parks that have been announced previously as if they are new. These include protected areas established 10 years ago. In fact, no new protected areas have been established since the last budget. In March 2004 an ecology based Lowlands national park agreement with Canada was announced. A month later we again are hearing lots about tourism, and new cottage lots - but no specifics on establishing new protected areas. Its time for Manitoba to get on with fulfilling its commitments for new protected areas." The 2004 Budget Speech also included reference to $100,000 in new funds for protected areas establishment. The coming years budget for activities to plan, and establish parks and protected areas is currently less that the 1999 budget. View the Manitoba Government 2004 Budget materials Source: Government of Manitoba Budget
papers | |
China's Grain Harvest Shrinking |
22 April 04 |
 In February 2004, the Chinese government passed emergency
legislation to increase its agricultural budget by 25 percent, or
roughly $3 billion. The additional funds primarily will be used to
raise support prices for wheat and rice, the principal food staples.
Approval of such an increase outside of the normal budget-making
process indicates the government's mounting concern about food
security.China's grain harvest has fallen in four of the last five years, dropping to 322 million tons in 2003. This drop of 70 million tons exceeds the entire grain harvest of Canada. China's harvest shortfalls of recent years have been covered by drawing down its once massive stocks of grain. China is the first major grain-producing country where environmental and economic trends have combined to reverse the historical growth in grain production. China soon will be forced to turn to the world market for massive imports at a time when world grain stocks are at their lowest level in 30 years. Among other things, this means that the surplus world grain production capacity and cheap food of the last half-century may soon be history. Higher food prices could become a permanent part of the economic landscape. Adjusting to these higher food prices could become a dominant preoccupation of governments in the years ahead. View the full Earth Policy Institute article Source: Earth Policy
Institute | |
Loopholes in Canada's Kyoto Plan |
22 April 04 |
 On March 24, 2004, Dr. Matthew Bramley, director
of the Pembina Institute climate change program, testified to the
House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable
Development, on emerging loopholes in the federal government's
policy on the system of emissions targets for major industrial
facilities ("large final emitters" or "LFEs"). According to the
Pembina Institute, a system of emissions targets for LFEs is the
single most important policy initiative for Canada in order to
implement the Kyoto Protocol.Several loopholes risk being allowed in the LFE system, with the result that it will deliver significantly fewer emission reductions than the government has committed to under the Kyoto Protocol, damaging Canada's ability to meet its international obligations. The Pembina Institute has identified a list of 10 potential loopholes in the system, including double counting reductions, giving credit for reductions that would have happened anyway, allowing weaker targets now in exchange for future promises, and failing to require sufficient auditing and transparency. View the Pembina Institute briefing note on 'Large Final Emitters' Source: Pembina
Institute | |
Manitoba Wind Project License Altered |
21 April 04 |
 The Environmental License for the St. Leon Wind
Energy Project, owned by Sequoia Energy Inc., has been revised and
re-issued by the Director of Environmental Approvals, Manitoba
Conservation. The proponents had requested that the portion of their
Environmental License pertaining to the interconnection transmission
line be transferred to Manitoba Hydro. In response to this request
on April 5, 2004, the Director re-issued the license, which deleted
the reference to the transmission line interconnection between the
wind collector station and Manitoba Hydro's existing St. Leon 230 kV
substation. The original license had been issued November 14, 2003.
This is the latest in a series of contentious issues related to this first wind project development. The initial Environmental License for the wind project was issued despite indication from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) that a federal environmental assessment of the project would be required and that assessment activities should be coordinated with the appropriate federal departments. CEAA noted written concerns expressed by officials of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans regarding insufficient information in the proposal regarding impacts on fish habitat. Environment Canada also expressed concerns about the insufficiency of baseline data and field surveys for migratory birds as provided in the St. Leon proposal, as well as mitigation and monitoring of effects on bird populations. The Environmental License issued by the province notes that the project must also comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal regulations and by-laws. Manitoba Wildlands' appeal of the initial November 2003 Environmental License was denied. It is not clear at this time how licensing of the Hydro substation and transmission lines for the wind project will be undertaken. View the on-line public registry files at Manitoba Eco-Network View the January 5, 2004 article on Manitoba Wildlands' appeal of the St. Leon Wind Energy Project License Sources: Sequoia Energy Inc. - St. Leon
Wind-Energy Ltd. Partnership, St. Leon Wind-Energy Project Public
Registry file materials (File #4976.00), Manitoba
Wildlands | |
Innu Nation Denounces 'Protest Hunt' |
21 April 04 |
 Following a 'protest hunt' by a group
of Quebec Innu, the Innu Nation called for immediate action to
ensure the continued survival of a threatened woodland caribou herd
in central Labrador.The Quebec Innu intended the protest hunt to be a pressure tactic to secure a meeting with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams to discuss the recognition of aboriginal hunting rights. The Innu Nation, representing the Innu of Labrador, denounced the tactics of the Quebec Innu as illegitimate and irresponsible. Initial estimates indicate that the Quebec hunters took more than 30 caribou from the Red Wine Caribou Herd, which recent surveys indicate as numbering less than 100 animals, prior to the hunt. The viability of this herd is now seriously impaired. "The people responsible for the slaughter of the animals knew that they were hunting a threatened caribou herd, and that they were violating endangered species laws. Their actions were illegal, irresponsible and inconsistent with Innu values", stated Innu Nation President Peter Penashue. "Innu Nation will be working with the Newfoundland and Labrador government to identify measures to protect the remainder of the herd and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions." Source: Innu Nation press
release | |
US To Revive Coal As Energy Source |
21 April 04 |
 After 25 years, coal is poised to make a comeback as an
energy source in the US, motivated by the demand for affordable
electricity and the rising price of other fuels. At least 94
coal-fired electric power plants - with the capacity to power 62
million American homes - are now planned across 36
states.The plants, slated to start coming on line as early as next year, would add significantly to the United States' generating power, help keep electricity prices low, and boost energy security by offering an alternative to foreign oil and gas. However, the coal-fired plants would also pump more airborne mercury and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide into the air. A March 2004 report by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), an arm of the US Department of Energy documented the increase in proposed coal-fired plants that has occurred over the past three years. If all were built, they would add 62 gigawatts or another 20 percent to the US's current coal-generating capacity. However, experts caution that perhaps no more than half of all proposed plants will ever be built. It can take seven to 10 years for a coal power plant to go from planning to construction - and legal action and public protests often halt them. The increased development of coal-powered electricity generation and its estimated $72 billion investment has not been well-publicized by industry and has been overlooked by the public. View the full February 26, 2004 Christian Science Monitor Source: Christian Science
Monitor | |
Cree Call for Diamond Mine Review |
21 April 04 |
 Diamond giant De Beers is developing Ontario's first
diamond mine on James Bay in the traditional territory of the
Mushkegowuk Cree. This is the first time an industrial project of
this magnitude has been contemplated in the James Bay lowlands
ecosystem. The mine will require a network of winter roads, a fuel
pipeline, housing facilities for hundreds of workers, an airstrip
that can handle a Hercules, ocean-going oil tankers in James Bay for
the first time and other facilities.De Beers recently released its study on the anticipated environmental effects of the project. The project will now be subject to a federal and provincial environmental assessment and review process to fulfill licensing requirements. To help navigate the federal and provincial regulatory process, De Beers has retained the services of GPC, one of the country's biggest lobbying firms. The Mushkegowuk Cree do not have funds for the independent technical advice needed to review the confident claims of De Beers' engineers and scientists. The Cree are calling on the federal government to provide funding for an independent review of De Beers thousands of pages of technical studies. View the full April 5, 2004 Globe and Mail news story Source: Globe and
Mail | |
Wuskwatim Co-Proponents Weave Web |
16 April 04 |
 There was a March 10, 2004 Manitoba Legislative debate
between Premier Gary Doer and Mr. Jon Gerrard, Liberal Party Leader,
regarding the need to consult with the Metis people about the
Wuskwatim Projects. In the debate the Premier wrongly stated that
his Government had been consulting with the Manitoba Metis
Federation (MMF), and that his Ministers "have had full
consultations with the Metis Federation." He also suggested that his
government will undertake consultation "in a fair way for the Metis
people." In a letter to Premier Doer, President Chartrand wrote, "clearly your Ministers and staff have not fully briefed you." In a recent interview, President Chartrand explained, "there has been no consultation, or accommodation, of the Metis Nation by the Manitoba Government, Manitoba Hydro, or NCN. The Metis are being virtually locked out." Download the full April 8, 2004 Grassroots News article (PDF 750KB) View the Grassroots News website View the Energy Manitoba website Source: Grassroots
News | |
Independent Wuskwatim Witnesses Speak |
8 April 04 |
 "The proponents have taken inadequate
consideration of climate change on this project. The CEC should
instruct the proponents to go back and re-examine climate change
impacts," said Elizabeth May, Sierra Club Canada Executive
Director.May joined presenters Robert Hornung, President of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA); Will Gilmore, Tribal Archaeologist; and Dan Soprovich, Forest Habitat expert April 7, 2004, at the CEC Wuskwatim hydro project hearings. "The need for independent information for this important environmental decision has been clear during these hearings," stated Manitoba Wildlands Director Gaile Whelan Enns, "especially when the government is licensing its own public utility." Ecologist and wildlife consultant, Dan Soprovich questions the validity of habitat models used by Manitoba Hydro. "Manitoba Hydro used habitat models that were never verified or tested before they used them for Wuskwatim," Soprovich said. "Manitoba Wildlands will continue to fulfill its aim of providing the CEC with independent information," said Whelan Enns. "The CEC needs access to this information for their to recommendation on the Wuskwatim projects." View presentations, bios, daily transcripts and summaries at: energymanitoba.org View Wuskwatim information pages at manitobawildlands.org | |
Great Barrier Reef Protection |
5 April 04 |
 Australia's parliament has passed a law, to come into force
in July 2004, which will make the Great Barrier Reef the world's
largest protected reef system. The law will ban fishing in one third
of the World Heritage Site's 345,000 sq km area, and leave tourism
as the only permitted industry. The ban comes in response to
concerns that overfishing is depleting the reef's rich marine life.
There will also be tougher limits on the movement of shipping in the
area off Australia's north-east coast.The Great Barrier Reef, situated off Queensland state in north-east Australia, injects an estimated A$1.5bn into the economy each year through tourism and fishing. It is Australia's number one tourist destination, attracting a million visitors a year. The reef is home to sharks, turtles and numerous brightly coloured fish. View the March 25, 2004 BBC article Source: BBC News
World | |
Manitoba Challenges Devils Lake Project |
5 April 04 |
 Water Stewardship Minister Steve
Ashton announced March 29, 2004 that the Manitoba government is
launching a legal challenge in the form of an appeal against North
Dakota's Devils Lake water diversion project.Devils Lake is a closed sub-basin lake that has been isolated from the Hudson Bay drainage basin for over 1,200 years. Manitoba opposes the outlet plan because it could release dissolved solids, sulphates and harmful nutrients (40 more tonnes of phosphorus per year) as well as foreign fish pathogens and fish diseases to the Sheyenne River. The Sheyenne connects to the Red River and eventually flows into Lake Winnipeg. "North Dakota is unilaterally and aggressively moving ahead with construction of the outlet in spite of recent concerns raised by the U.S. Department of State," said Ashton. "Manitoba has pursued diplomatic options to raise our concerns with the project but all of these have been ignored by North Dakota." Manitoba has been calling for the Government of Canada to pursue a joint reference with the United States to the International Joint Commission on the Devils Lake project. Opposition to the project has also been expressed by the Government of Canada, the states of Minnesota and Missouri, the National Wildlife Federation and the Peterson Coulee Outlet Association. In February 2004, several American First Nations agreed to joint action to oppose the Devils Lake outlet project. The Red Lake Nation, Spirit Lake Nation, White Earth Reservation and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs participated in a First Nations and the Tribal summit. View the March 29, 2004 Manitoba Government press release Source: Government of
Manitoba | |
Freedom of Information & Privacy Protection Recommendations |
5 April 04 |
 The Manitoba Library Association, Canadian
Taxpayers Federation - Manitoba, Provincial Council of Women of
Manitoba Inc. and the Manitoba Eco-Network collectively known as the
Manitoba Access to Information Network (MATIN) submitted
recommendations to the province’s review of the Freedom of
Information & Privacy Protection Act (FIPPA) on March 31,
2004.MATIN's 26 recommendations range from addressing the role of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to providing advice regarding fees for requests for information under the FIPPA. The Network is also calling for the government to investigate its information system, institute a performance audit of the Manitoba Ombudsman Access and Privacy Division, and provide an interactive web site with full access to the necessary information to facilitate the FIPPA review. "Freedom of information is a fundamental democratic right which enhances timely access to substantive critical government information necessary for the full discussion of policy proposals and for holding governments to account for their actions, inaction and performance," stated MATIN spokesman Paul Nielson. Download the MATIN March 31, 2004 cover letter (DOC 56KB) Download the MATIN Recommendations (DOC 144KB) View the Manitoba Government FIPPA site Source: Manitoba Access to Information
Network | |
Top Catalogs Branded as Forest Destroyers - ForestEthics |
31 March 04 |
 At the annual American Forest Products Association
conference in New York on March 23, 2004, conservation organization
ForestEthics named six companies as leading targets for the next
phase of its Paper Campaign. Lands' End/Sears, LL Bean,
Williams-Sonoma/Pottery Barn, Limited/Victoria's Secret, J Crew, and
JC Penney collectively produce over 600 million catalogs a year in
the United States on paper that comes directly from Endangered
Forests including the boreal forest in Canada, which are the largest
remaining wilderness areas in North America.According to ForestEthics, each year catalog retailers mail out 59 catalogs for every man, woman and child in the United States (about 17 billion catalogs). Almost none of this paper contains recycled content, which means that every year almost eight million tons of trees are used for catalogs that are often discarded or unread. Catalogs have surpassed magazines in overall paper use in the United States, using around 3.6 million tons of paper annually. ForestEthics and its allies are turning their focus towards the catalog industry and challenging it to stop buying paper from endangered forests and to maximize post-consumer recycled content in catalogs. The six companies were named as the top targets because they have some of the largest circulations in the industry, have links to endangered forests, and have refused to change their purchasing practices. View the full ForestEthics press release Visit the ForestEthics Paper Campaign | |
Wuskwatim Review Hearings Extended Again |
30 March 04 |
| The Clean Environment Commission (CEC) released a
revised schedule for the Wuskwatim Generation and Transmission
projects review hearings March 29, 2004. The new schedule extends
the hearings, adding an additional six dates in May (May 11 - 14,
May 25, 26). The original schedule adjourned the hearings on April
8, and has already been extended once to include three days of the
following week in April (April 13 - 15). Additional scheduled days
mean the CEC Wuskwatim hearings will have run for 27 days. The
original hearing schedule was for 13 days. Gaile Whelan Enns, Director, Manitoba Wildlands, CNF expressed concern about the time required of participants as a result of the unanticipated hearing dates. "The CEC has been directed to fulfill its mandate, and certainly this process should not be rushed." she noted, "However, as public participants we have not been allocated resources for these additional days and our resources are being stretched beyond the limit. Both Manitoba Hydro and the CEC are able to expand their budgets and timelines." The week of May 11 - 14, 2004 is to allow for additional public participants' presentations on the Wuskwatim Environmental Impact Statements and cross-examination of those presenters. Two days in the following week are reserved for closing statements by all parties. To view the updated CEC schedule, hearing summaries, news about the hearings, and links to official hearings transcripts: Visit energymanitoba.org View the manitobawildlands Wuskwatim Projects page Download the CEC schedule (Excel) | |
Ontario Culls Cormorants |
29 March 04 |
 The Ontario Government is currently soliciting
public comment on its plan to shoot more than 6,000 cormorants to
protect vegetation on two islands at Presqu'ile Provincial Park near
Brighton, east of Toronto. The plan has been called a cynical
political ploy by Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay to pacify
a hunter and angler lobby upset by a continued ban on the spring
bear hunt and a permanent ban on hunting wolves from Algonquin
Park.The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters claim the birds are responsible for declines in fish stocks, but an Environment Canada fact sheet says that "studies have repeatedly shown that in a natural environment, cormorants feed primarily on small, largely non-commercial, shallow-water fish". The Ontario government says that it isn't waging war on the Presqu'ile cormorants just to placate fishermen (although it acknowledges that its plans are consistent with this aim). The stated purpose of the cormorant cull is to protect trees. Fish and Wildlife officials say the problem is that cormorants have denuded Gull Island and threaten to eliminate the vegetation on High Bluff Island. The corrosive nature of the birds’ feces can eventually kill the very trees in which they nest. The government says it wants to protect these trees so other big waterfowl, such as the great blue heron, can use them. However, great blue herons can also kill the trees in which they nest. View the March 20, 2004 Toronto Star article View the March 23, 2004 Toronto Star article Source: Toronto
Star | |
Strong Evidence for Claims of Mass Extinction |
29 March 04 |
 Two studies published in the journal
Science this week document declining biodiversity in Britain, with
serious implications for world ecology. The first study provides
strong evidence of shrinking plant, bird and butterfly populations
in Britain. The second, on plant biodiversity, points a finger
squarely at humankind. The authors of the first study "tentatively
suggest" their results support the hypothesis that world is facing
the sixth major extinction in history.Scientists are uncertain what caused each of the past five extinctions, said author Jeremy Thomas of the British Natural Environment Research Council, but most agree on physical factors such as asteroids, volcanic eruptions, and climate change. If human environmental pollution were the cause of the disappearance of all forms of life, it would be the first time that an "organic factor" had brought about a mass extinction. One author stressed that the comparative figures for Britain would have to carry over to global populations for the warning to hold true. In the first study, 28% of plant species declined over 40 years, 54% of bird species decreased over 20 years, and an astonishing 71% of butterfly species declined over 20 years. The second study monitored 68 grasslands across Great Britain over 2 years. The results indicated that in areas of high pollution the species richness is significantly lower than areas of low pollution. According to the author of the study, no other environmental variable could explain the observations so well. View the March 20, 2004 Wired article Source: Wired
News | |
Manitoba & Canada Climate Change Agreement |
29 March 04 |
 Honourable Tim Sale, Manitoba's Minister of Energy, Science
and Technology signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for
Co-operation on Addressing Climate Change with the Honourable David
Anderson, Canada's Minister of the Environment, and Honourable John
Efford, Minister of Natural Resources in Winnipeg on March 19, 2004.
The MOU signifies the commitment of both governments to work
together to address the challenges of climate change.Under the MOU, the governments agree to explore co-operation on renewable energy development opportunities such as wind-power and alternative forms of energy such as ethanol. In addition, co-operation to promote energy-efficiency practices, assess the impacts of climate change, develop adaptation strategies, promote individual actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and maximize reductions and removals of greenhouse gases in the agricultural sector are also part of the MOU. As part of his official remarks regarding the MOU, the Honourable Tim Sale made reference to Manitoba's leadership role with new initiatives such as the east-west transmission grid. He also highlighted new generation hydroelectric power, geothermal technologies and emissions trading as initiatives and technologies that "reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect our environment and traditional ways of life, and contribute to our province's economic growth". View the Government of Manitoba press release View the Climate Change MOU Source: Government of
Manitoba | |
Ontario Migratory Bird Violations |
24 March 04 |
 The Council of the Commission for Environmental
Cooperation of North America (CEC) voted unanimously March 12, 2004
to instruct the CEC Secretariat to prepare a factual record on
allegations that Canada is failing to effectively enforce Section
6(a) of the Canadian Migratory Bird Regulations (MBR) adopted under
the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. Section 6(a) of the MBR
makes it an offense to disturb, destroy or take a nest or egg of a
migratory bird without a permit. The allegations were made in the
Ontario Logging submission, filed with the Secretariat on February
6, 2002, by Sierra Legal Defence Fund (SLDF) on behalf of several
Canadian and US environmental groups.The conservation groups’ submission concerns clearcut logging carried out in 49 forest management units (FMUs) in areas of central and northern Ontario in 2001. The submission estimates that clear cutting activity in 2001 destroyed over 85,000 migratory bird nests in central and northern Ontario forests. The submission also alleges that Environment Canada has taken virtually no action to enforce Section 6(a) of the MBR in regard to this logging activity. View the March 15, 2004 CEC news release Visit the CEC web site to view:
Source: CEC | |
Canada and Manitoba to Establish Lowlands National Park |
23 March 04 |
 The governments of Canada and
Manitoba signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) respecting the
establishment of a national park in the Interlake region of
Manitoba, March 19, 2004. The MOU commits the two governments to
work together to conclude consultations and negotiations for a
national park establishment agreement by May 2005. Signatory to the
MOU are the Honourable Gary Doer, Premier of Manitoba, along with
the Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment.
A national park in Manitoba’s Interlake (between Lake Winnipeg and Lake Winnipegosis) would protect important features of the Manitoba Lowlands Natural Region not yet represented in the national park system of Canada. The national park would also be part of Manitoba’s network of protected areas, and contribute to regional representation in the provincial system of protected areas. Suggested Lowlands national park boundaries and mapping reflect recommendations from Canadian Nature Federation and WWF Canada technical reports in 1996 and 1999. Boreal forest areas, important habitat for species such as woodland caribou, migratory birds and elk moose, shoreline and wetlands along Lake Winnipeg, critical fish spawning areas, and karst landforms are some of the important landscape features that would be represented by the park. View CNF's: Canada’s Most Wanted New National Parks View more information on Protected Areas in Manitoba Download the Canada-Manitoba MOU View the CNF press release View the Government of Canada news release View the Government of Canada Backgrounder Source: Government of
Canada | |
New Manitoba Water Protection Act |
22 March 04 |
| A new piece of legislation, the Water
Protection Act (Bill 22) had its first reading in the Manitoba
Legislature March 4, 2004. The purpose of Bill 22, introduced by
Minister Ashton, is to provide for the protection and stewardship of
Manitoba's water resources and aquatic ecosystems. It includes
provisions to allow water quality standards, objectives and
guidelines to be established and implemented, and will allow water
conservation programs to be established. It will establish water
quality management zones, requires the preparation of watershed
management plans, and their adoption in local development
plans. The Act, after legislative approval, possible amendments and regulations, will establish a new advisory body, the Manitoba Water Council, and dissolve the Manitoba Water Commission. A new Water Stewardship Fund will also be established to support projects relating to water management and water quality. For the full text of Bill 22 as is currently exists, visit the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba | |
Witnesses Speak Out At Hearings |
17 March 04 |
 Two Minnesota Senators are among the
witnesses who made presentations this week at the Manitoba Hydro
Wuskwatim Projects hearings before Manitoba’s Clean Environment
Commission (CEC). They and others have been invited to speak by
Manitoba Wildlands, Canadian Nature Federation (CNF).
“Public participants continue to provide information that Manitoba Hydro has not”, said Gaile Whelan Enns, Manitoba Wildlands Director, CNF. First Nations rights, wind energy economy and policies in Minnesota, impacts from transmission corridors, and climate issues are among the topics addressed by Manitoba Wildlands, CNF presenters, most of whom are volunteers. Peter Kulchyski, Director of Native Studies at the University of Manitoba; Minnesota wind farmer and County Commissioner, Jim Nichols; Minnesota lawyer Tim Rudnicki; Campaign Director of the International Rivers Network, Patrick McCully; Albertan biologist, Erin Bayne; and Minnesota Senators Ellen Anderson and Gary Kubly present this week. View hearing summaries, presentations, and links at: EnergyManitoba.org Source: Manitoba Wildlands,
CNF | |
2002-2004