Colin Mayes, MP -- Okanagan - Shuswap - Government Promotes Conservation

Government Promotes Conservation

July 02, 2009

People travel the world as tourists to visit significant sites created by humankind throughout history. In Canada, most tourists come here to witness the things created by the Master builder.

Our country’s natural beauty is breath-taking and it is important to protect certain areas from development. This week, our Minister of Environment, the Honourable Jim Prentice, announced Bill-C-38, “An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act to enlarge Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada”, in the Northwest Territories. This Bill will increase Nahanni Park by six times its current size making it approximately as large as Vancouver Island. This is the greatest conservation achievement in a generation.

Our government is expanding the total area covered by Canada’s national park reserves by 10 percent. This announcement was also made possible with the co-operation of the Dehcho First Nations and other aboriginal groups in the Northwest Territories. Over two years ago, our government also announced the creation of Spirit Bear Park in British Columbia -- a unique ecosystem that will now be protected for all future generations.

For years, both these areas were studied and plans developed, but it was our government that moved forward, took action, and got the job done. In my opinion, building roads, bridges, and water works are very important, but these investments eventually need replacing. The investment in protecting that which the Master built will be reaping benefits for all Canadians for all time.

As the summer season is upon us, take time to discover Canada.

Information on Canada’s National Parks can be found at http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/np-pn/recherche-search_e.asp?p=1

Colin Mayes, MP