In its annual report released on Canada’s progress in protecting its ocean, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) has found that the regulations and policies governing existing marine protected areas (MPAs) are too often weak or confusing. “It is worrying that human activities known to harm ocean ecosystems are permitted in any of Canada’s … Read more
The B.C. Government and 18 coastal First Nations came together to sign world-leading Marine Use Plans for the Pacific North Coast region of BC. This region includes Haida Gwaii, North Vancouver Island, the Central Coast, and the North Coast. “The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) sees the endorsement of the plans as heralding a … Read more
In an open letter to Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Paul Davis and Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.), more than 30 well-known Canadians call for the provincial and federal governments to act quickly to establish a buffer zone around Gros Morne National Park to permanently protect it from the harmful impacts of industrial activities such as oil and gas … Read more
In its second annual review of governments’ efforts to conserve Canada’s boreal caribou, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) finds that threats from industrial development to this species have continued to increase while conservation and restoration efforts have shown little progress across the country. CPAWS’ findings are reinforced by news from the Committee on … Read more
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society said the final land use plan for southern Alberta – called the South Saskatchewan Regional Land Use Plan (SSRP) –has failed to protect critical headwaters including the Castle Special Place. They added that this leaves in doubt the SSRP’s ability to meet its mandate to resolve conflicts over land use planning in … Read more
In its sixth annual review of the state of Canada’s parks, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) finds that most parks and proposed protected areas are facing greater challenges than they were a year ago. “We’re most worried about the growing trend by governments to prioritize industrial and commercial interests over the long-term ecological, … Read more
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society is welcoming the UNESCO World Heritage Committee’s formal adoption, at its annual meeting in Doha, Qatar, of a recommendation that Canada create a buffer zone around Gros Morne National Park and World Heritage Site to protect it from industrial threats. “A permanent buffer zone is the next step needed to … Read more
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society is applauding a $50,000 tourism grant to help “Alberta’s Cool Little Towns” rebound from last summer’s floods, and says that if the province wants to help Eastern Slope towns even more it will create more new protected areas as part of the South Saskatchewan Regional Land Use Plan. “Protected areas … Read more
In a new report the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society reveals that Canada has the lowest percentage of marine protected areas among the world’s 10 countries with the largest ocean estates. At just over 1 per cent of its ocean territory protected, Canada ranks lower than China at 2 per cent, and much lower than France, Australia, … Read more
Legislation tabled in Parliament May 14th to establish a new national park reserve around the headwaters of the Northwest Territories’ South Nahanni River, ignores scientific evidence of what is needed to protect the area’s wildlife and water, the Canadian Parks and Wildress Society said. The boundary of Nááts’ihch’oh [pronounced naah-tseen-CHO] National Park Reserve leaves out the most critical … Read more
