Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Parks

IQALUIT, NUNAVUT, August 15, 2000 -- At their annual meeting today in Iqaluit, the federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for parks released a joint report highlighting what each government has done to meet a 1992 commitment to complete Canada's networks of parks and protected areas.

The Co-Chairs of the meeting, Nunavut Minister of Justice and Minister of Community Government and Transportation Jack Anawak and Alberta Minister of Environment Halvar Jonson, congratulated their counterparts on the efforts made to date. "Since 1992, Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments have made tremendous progress toward protecting our natural legacy. Across Canada an area about the size of the United Kingdom - more than 24 million hectares - has been added to our parks and protected areas networks," they said. "All citizens can be proud of these accomplishments. But, we recognize that more work remains to be done, and we are committed to continue our efforts to complete our parks and protected areas networks."

The progress report follows up on the 1992 Statement of Commitment, in which parks ministers pledged to make every effort to complete networks of protected areas representative of land-based natural regions by the year 2000 and accelerate the protection of areas representative of marine natural regions. As well, the report outlines what remains to be done to complete Canada's networks of protected areas. Following discussion of the report, Ministers shared successes and challenges, and acknowledged the need for open communication on future park initiatives and opportunities.

Mr. Tom Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, led a discussion on the Report of the Panel on the Ecological Integrity of Canada's National Parks, which was released in March 2000.

Ministers reviewed the Background Report that was developed on Protected Areas Tourism in Partnership with Aboriginal Peoples. Three speakers, representing best practices in Aboriginal tourism, provided Ministers with insight into the success and challenges of Aboriginal tourism. Ministers directed their officials to prepare an implementation plan on the report's recommendations and bring it back to the Ministers' Council.

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For further information, contact:

                                               

David Monteith            Director, Parks and Tourism            Nunavut Department of Sustainable Development            (867) 975-5934            (867) 975-5980

Glenn Guenther            Director of Communications Alberta Environment            (780) 427-8636            (780) 427-1874 (fax)