Quebec should look to Ontario for inspiration
Three groups call for the protection of at least half of Quebec
Quebec - In its upcoming “Northern Plan”, the Québec government should look to Ontario for inspiration and include protection and conservation measures covering at least 50% of its northern territory. Two environmental groups based in Québec and an important Canadian Initiative are asking the Québec government to protect more than 50% of northern Québec. These wilderness areas, which span boreal forests, taiga, and tundra, will soon be at the centre of a large public debate with the upcoming announcement of the Charest governments’ “Northern Plan”.
What will Québec decide with respect to environmental protection and the economic future of its northern region? In light of the “ Protected Areas in the Boreal Forest” Symposium currently taking place in Québec City, Nature Québec, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS Québec) and the Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) have decided to intervene and to propose their own vision for a plan that integrates scientific and traditional knowledge to combat climate change, conserve biodiversity, and to ensure economic development which respects both the environment and the rights of First Nations inhabiting the territory.
Standing out amongst the worst or the best?
“What we are proposing to Québec citizens for protecting the North is a vision based on 21st century knowledge rather than on archaic principles dating back to the gold rush era. It is about establishing a network of interconnected protected areas over at least 50% of the territory, which will allow us to protect the last wilderness areas of the boreal forest, taiga, and tundra”, explains Christian Simard, Executive Director of Nature Québec.
Québec can become a world leader
For many years, economists have compared the performance and development of Ontario and Québec and have asked Québec to align itself with Ontario conservation policies. Indeed, the protection of endangered species and the battle against climate change have become unavoidable issues of our time, and their handling by Québec will determine the province’s standing as a global leader.
CPAWS Québec, Nature Québec, and CBI are calling upon the Québec government to look to Ontario for inspiration and to aim for protecting at least 50% of the North. “As of this fall, Québec must take a step as significant as that of Ontario to protect our natural and cultural heritage – and do this not only by reviewing its forest and mining policies, but by integrating all policies in a visionary plan for Northern Québec that will respect the rights and traditional activities of First Nations”, adds Marie-Ève Marchand, Executive Director of CPAWS Québec.
Conservation: a necessity in the 21st century
By protecting one of the largest green belts in the world and by ensuring connectivity between protected areas, Québec is within reach of a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. Canada’s boreal and tundra ecosystems are one of the largest carbon reservoirs in the world. “In 2007, 1500 prominent scientists, including 76 from Québec, asked governments to proceed with the protection of at least 50% of the non-exploited boreal forest and of the taiga, in order to ensure ecological and cultural integrity and to preserve functional ecosystems in perpetuity. If Québec moves in concert with Ontario, this region will become one of the best-conserved forest ecosystems at the global scale”, says Harvey Locke, spokesperson for Canadian Boreal Initiative in Québec.
CPAWS Québec, Nature Québec, and Canadian Boreal Initiative are convinced that the protection of at least 50% of northern Québec will ensure the future of the region, including its inhabitants and its natural resources.
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Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – CPAWS Quebec
Named a top ten charity organization in 2007 by Tides Canada, CPAWS/SNAP is a 45 year old pre-eminent, community-based, non-profit, wilderness protection organization. With 13 chapters across Canada, staffed with over 50 people, and hundreds of committed volunteers, CPAWS/SNAP creates consensus for wilderness conservation by engaging citizens, government and industry at the community level through a 10 year vision of preserving at least half of Canada’s wilderness.
CPAWS/SNAP-Quebec came into existence in 2001. It mainly focuses on establishing a true network of protected areas throughout the province’s public lands, the protection and management of the boreal forest and the existing parks and protected areas.
Nature Québec
Nature Québec is an organization that has been promoting the protection of Quebec's natural heritage and the sustainable use of its resources for the past 25 years. This organization is mostly recognized as being very active to improve forestry and agricultural practices, as well as being a key actor in the establishment of a broader network of protected areas. Nature Québec has more than 80 affiliated groups in almost all of Québec's regions with more than 6,000 members, supporters and volunteers.
Canadian Boreal Initiative
Established in 2003, the Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) works with a wide range of conservation organizations, First Nations, industry and other interested parties to link science, policy and conservation activities in Canada’s Boreal Forest. Based in Ottawa, CBI works with diverse partners to create new solutions for Boreal conservation by supporting a variety of on-the-ground efforts across the Boreal.
For information :
Sophie Paradis
Communications coordinator
CPAWS Québec
514 278-7627 extension 221
Harvey Locke
Canadian Boreal Initiative Spokesperson
647 225-7438
Mylène Bergeron
Communications coordinator
Nature Québec
418 648–2104 poste 2074 ou
418 933-2031
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