PM announces creation
of marine conservation area in Lake Superior
NIPIGON, ONTARIO - Prime Minister Stephen
Harper today announced the creation of Canada’s
newest National Marine Conservation Area
(NMCA). More than 10,000 square kilometres
of Lake Superior, including the lakebed,
islands and north shorelands within the
NMCA boundaries, will become the largest
freshwater marine protected area in the
world.
“Our government is taking action to preserve
and protect Canada’s environment, including
Lake Superior’s north shore, for future
generations of Canadians to enjoy,” said
Prime Minister Harper. “The creation of
this area will benefit the local economy
too, by boosting tourism and creating jobs.”
National marine conservation areas are
part of Parks Canada’s growing number of
national heritage sites. They balance environmental
protection with responsible economic activity
by protecting key elements of the ecosystem
while preserving the livelihoods of local
residents who work in marine industries
such as commercial fishing, sport fishing
and shipping.
The proposed boundaries of the Lake Superior
NMCA extend from Thunder Cape at the tip
of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in the
west, to Bottle Point just east of Terrace
Bay, and south to the Canada-U.S. boundary.
The announcement marked the culmination
of a decade of planning and negotiations
involving the federal, Ontario and local
governments as well as First Nations in
the region. Among the groups and individuals
who supported the project were His Royal
Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh; and from
former Prime Minister John Turner, both
acting for the World Wildlife Fund, as well
as former Canadian astronaut Roberta Bondar,
who is one of Ontario’s Champions of the
Great Lakes Heritage Coasts.
"Establishing a national marine conservation
area in Lake Superior will build on the
extensive work Ontario has already done
to protect the cultural, recreational, and
natural values of the lake’s islands and
shoreline," said Premier Dalton McGuinty.
"Future generations will benefit from
what we have accomplished today through
this constructive collaboration among three
levels of government, First Nations, stakeholders
and community members.”
Prime Minister Harper also acknowledged
the contributions of Federal Environment
Minister and Minister Responsible for Parks
Canada, the Honourable John Baird, and the
Member of Parliament from Lake Superior-North
Shore, Joe Comuzzi, to the Lake Superior
NMCA project. “Without their efforts, today’s
announcement would not have become a reality,”
the Prime Minister said.
