Boreal dialogue key to Manitoba’s future

February 17, 2015 Manitoba Provincial

Opaskwayak Cree Nation Near The Pas, Man.—Ducks Unlimited Canada is excited to see the Manitoba government open a dialogue on boreal conservation at its Boreal Summit at the Opaskwayak Cree Nation today. Plans for the north should embrace Manitobans’ ideals by taking a balanced approach to northern development.

A poll released last week by the International Institute for Sustainable Development suggests 88 per cent of Manitobans favour protecting at least half of the province’s boreal forest.

“This region covers 80 per cent of this province, so of course it’s a big part of who we are,” said Chris Smith, head of boreal conservation at DUC, who lives in Cranberry Portage. “We’re very lucky that most of the boreal is still intact. It gives us the chance to plan for northern development in a way that balances environmental and economic needs.”

Today marks the start of a discussion that can distill those values into a visionary plan for Manitoba’s boreal. Today, we join Indigenous peoples, northern communities, industry groups and conservation organizations to start this vital conversation. We look forward to furthering the development of a boreal policy that reflects this province’s vision for a thriving north.

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. Learn more at ducks.ca.

Boreal dialogue key to Manitoba’s future

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