What would you say if we told you that the province of Manitoba is considering handing over nearly 18,500 square kilometres of Manitoba Crown land in the Seal River Watershed (about one-third of the watershed) to federal control. Such a move would represent a significant and permanent shift in authority from Manitoba to Ottawa over how this section of land and our natural resources are managed. This means a National Park, which under federal legislation (the National Park Act), licensed hunting and outfitting would be phased out over a 10-year period. While Indigenous harvesting rights would remain protected, this change would eliminate access for many Manitobans who have responsibly used and helped steward this landscape for generations. A recent poll told the real story, Manitobans don’t want federal involvement. You only have to look at Riding Mountain National Park and the mess created there.
A proposal now under consideration would designate 50,000 kilometres (eight per cent of Manitoba’s land mass) of the watershed as an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA), combining a new provincial park, along with the national park under a shared governance model.
Manitoba already has provincial mechanisms to protect landscapes through provincial parks and wildlife management areas. The only difference is that the national park guarantees the loss of access for some Manitobans. In our view, this loss of access is not worth the federal funding that we fear is driving this decision.
This is a concern shared by a large majority of Manitobans. A Leger poll found that Manitobans strongly support sustainable hunting in protected areas (87 per cent) and want protected lands to stay under provincial control (64 per cent). Only 15 per cent support giving provincial Crown lands to the federal government. Provincial conservation efforts that overlook the opinions of Manitobans put public support, project success and our trust at risk.
The SRW boasts some of the most pristine land and waters In Manitoba and is home to some of the province’s finest lodges and established outcamps. Hunting and angling tourism contribute approximately $1.5 billion in combined direct and tourism-related spending annually across Manitoba, with 2019 data indicating that up to 42% of lodge and outfitter operators are located in northern Manitoba.
You can make a difference though. Encourage friends, family, and fellow outdoor enthusiasts to participate and submit their opinions through EngageMB. You have until June 2nd to make your voice heard.
Do you want to know more on the subject check out the Manitoba Wildlife Federation Website at https://mwf.mb.ca/?bblinkid=289363317&bbemailid=62404066&bbejrid=-899204621
