Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society provides grassroots leadership and an inclusive process, with a voice for all community members, to ensure that our community grows and develops in a way that incorporates an environmental ethic, offers a range of housing and transportation choices, encourages a vibrant and cultural life and supports sustainable, meaningful employment and business opportunities.

Monday, February 8, 2016

From Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Mother Canada statue

Follow up from the article regarding the Mother Canada statue published Jan. 28th.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park is no longer threatened by the giant Mother Canada statue.

Feb. 5th 2016

OTTAWA - CPAWS welcomes today’s decision by the federal government to reject the proposed seven-storey “Mother Canada” statue in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. This is an important step in implementing the government’s election commitment to limit development in our National Parks.
“It is heartening to see our federal government demonstrate respect for the fundamental purpose of our national parks which is to protect and encourage people to experience nature,” said Éric Hébert-Daly, CPAWS National Executive Director. “After more than two years of public uproar about this ill-conceived project, there is no doubt our government made the right choice by saying no to Mother Canada. This is a good day for our parks.”
Public concern about the giant Mother Canada statue has steadily mounted: thousands of Canadians have written to the Environment Minister and Parks Canada opposing the proposal; national, provincial, and local newspapers across the country have published scathing editorials; and 28 retired senior Parks Canada officials sent an open letter to the Minister opposing the project in a national park. Local community groups like Friends of Green Cove have been at the forefront of opposition to the project, and an independent study on “Mi’kmaq use at Green Cove” raises major objections to the project.
“It is crystal clear that Canadians love their national parks and want them protected from these kinds of inappropriate developments. The rejection of this proposal to grow the private commercial footprint in Cape Breton Highlands National Park is a thoughtful and appropriate response to a broader problem of development proposals threatening our parks,” said Mr. Hébert-Daly. “Today’s decision sends an important signal from the federal government that our parks are to be protected, for the benefit of Canadians, now and for the future.”


No comments:

Post a Comment