The 2007 Manitoba Budget Address
Protecting our Environment
Manitoba’s natural areas are an important part of our heritage and our way of life. Over the past year, we have expanded our vital network of protected areas with:
- new and expanded Wildlife Management Area designations, including Delta Marsh, Hilltop and Onanole;
- a new partnership with Ducks Unlimited to add more than 3,000 hectares of prairie parkland waterfowl habitat;
- the renewal of six Provincial Park Reserves; and
- the permanent protection of Wakopa and Wellington Wildlife Management Areas.
Since 1999, approximately 855,000 hectares of land have been permanently protected in Manitoba. We are working with the City of Winnipeg to add further protected areas to our network. In addition, we are working with the Manitoba Floodway Authority to establish a new Duff Roblin Provincial Park site that better recognizes the vision and legacy of Duff Roblin and is more accessible to Manitoba families. The new park will be a focal point for future recreational plans that will accompany the expanded Floodway.
Budget 2007 protects biodiversity by increasing Manitoba’s annual contribution to the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s conservation program by 50% to $300,000.
We are proud that the Hayes River is now included as a member of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System, and we are working with our partners to have the Red River included as well.
Our government has made an important commitment to ensure that First Nations on the east side of Lake Winnipeg have a greater role in deciding how resources are used in this unique region. Through an extensive wide-area planning process, which included 80 community meetings, residents and stakeholders on the east side expressed their priorities for the region. Budget 2007 supports First Nations-led efforts to:
- secure a UNESCO World Heritage designation, putting this spectacular region on the world map;
- advance sustainable land use planning and the development of new east side resource management boards; and
- promote unique attractions through a new community-driven tourism development initiative.
Building on significant recent improvements at Falcon Lake in the Whiteshell, today’s budget invests in improving service and facilities in parks and campgrounds, including:
- expanded facilities and more staff at Birds Hill campground
- more camping sites with electricity
- better training for park patrols, and
- lagoon upgrades at Big Whiteshell and West Hawk.
Manitoba has offered 1,000 new cottage lots, and with expanded camping options, more Manitobans are getting the chance to enjoy the summer in Manitoba’s great outdoors.
