e-1390 (Protection of the environment)
- Keywords
- National, provincial and territorial parks and reserves
- Nature conservation
- South Okanagan–Lower Similkameen National Park Reserve
Original language of petition: English
Petition to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
- We thank the governments for the tri-lateral announcement on October 27, 2017, that South Okanagan Similkameen park reserve will be established;
- South Okanagan-Similkameen NPR will benefit local citizens, preserve endangered species and maintain ecosystems in perpetuity;
- Park consultation with affected communities and economic sectors has been an ongoing process since 2002;
- Our region is without a national park identified in Parks Canada's planning policy;
- This region will benefit economically, in the form of direct National Park jobs and capital expenditures, infrastructure and jobs that will achieve their mandate;
- An independent, professional opinion poll verified 70% local park support (McAllister Opinion Research, 2015);
- The Park Reserve recognizes Indigenous rights, language and cultural practices;
- Private land will never be expropriated for the Park, and any real estate transactions will be on a willing seller-willing buyer basis;
- Parks Canada field staffing levels are 4-10 times higher than Provincial field staffing;
- Visitors to our region will increase, as a valuable economic spin-off of the Park;
- Parks Canada's wildfire suppression and prescribed burning expertise will help stop catastrophic wildfires and enhance wildlife habitat;
- Parks Canada will improve the management of many outdoor recreation opportunities and monitor inappropriate uses; and
- The Okanagan-Similkameen is a national "hot-spot" for critically endangered wildlife and need greater protection.
- Open for signature
- November 30, 2017, at 11:37 a.m. (EDT)
- Closed for signature
- March 30, 2018, at 11:37 a.m. (EDT)
- Presented to the House of Commons
-
Richard Cannings
(South Okanagan—West Kootenay)
April 25, 2018 (Petition No. 421-02265) - Government response tabled
- June 5, 2018