Press Conference regarding the proposed road through Grass River Provincial Park

Press Conference regarding the proposed road through Grass River Provincial Park

-James Speaking at Press Conference

The Province of Manitoba is proposing to build a Logging Road through the middle of Grass River Provincial Park, just two months after enacting the Forest Amendment Act which bans Commercial Forestry Activity in all Provincial Parks!

In response to this outrageous proposal, a joint News Conference was held on August 19 between the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, the Green Party of Manitoba, the Liberal Party of Manitoba, and Manitoba Wildlands.

Hounourable Dr. Jon Gerrard (leader of the Liberal Party of Manitoba) has said that for the government to allow this road just after passing the Park Logging Ban is "pure NDP hypocrisy."

Eric Reder, Director of the Wilderness Committee was quoted as saying, "This makes a sham of the park logging ban they've been trumpeting." "Commercial forest activity includes logging roads." (Winnipeg Free Press, Aug 20)

Conservation Minister Stan Struthers disagrees, however. He has stated that a "logging road is not logging activity". From the viewpoint of the Wilderness Committee, that is "absolutely unethical". (CBC, Aug 19)

James Beddome, leader of the Green Party of Manitoba, spoke at the conference. He echoed the opinion of the other presenters; that the road should not be built. He also expressed that much more land in Manitoba needs to be set aside from development.

Of particular interest to James and the GPM is the effect the road would have on the Woodland Caribou, who are listed on the province's Endangered Species list. The proposed road would cut through the Caribou's migration route, which could have a negative impact on their seasonal migratory habits.

"The road development will .. have a drastic effect on the local ecosystems." says James on his Blog. He explains that not only will it be affecting the migratory habits of the Caribou,but "the bridge construction will [also] have an impact on the fish and other wildlife in the park."

At the News Conference, he said that, "the NDP government and industry statements that this road was necessary to stabilize jobs in the lumber industry is disingenuous, and doesn't reflect the true reality being faced in the forestry industry." (Western Wilderness Committee.mb.ca )

James expanded on his opinion in his Blog. "Building a 17 km road through the middle of Grass River Provincial Park is not going to change the global market conditions the forestry industry is presently facing. It will not change the value of the Canadian Dollar, it is not going to convince Americans to buy more houses, and it is not going to convince our neighbors to the South to change their foreign trade policy."

For more information, see the following articles:

James Beddome's Blog
( Blog Spot.com )

Logging road may spark court battle.
( Winnipeg Free Press, Aug 20. )

Environmentalists pan new road through Grass River provincial park.
( Winnipeg Free Press, Aug 19. )

Ecologists fight logging road in Manitoba park.
( CBC, Aug 19. )

News Conference protesting continued logging activity in
Grass River Provincial Par.
( Western Wilderness Committee. )