Office of the Official Opposition
For Immediate Release

St. John's, NL (August 11, 2020) – Pleaman Forsey, PC Opposition Critic for Land Resources and MHA for the District of Exploits, is calling on government to ensure that meaningful consultations are conducted on the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council’s (WERAC) proposed Protected Areas Plan for the Island. The plan was released in late May and proposes to establish 24 new protected areas, expand two protected areas, and create six transitional reserves on the Island.

“In late May the public got its first opportunity to see what WERAC is proposing. The plan was released during the pandemic and members of our caucus are hearing from concerned constituents who want more information and more opportunity to provide input on the plan,” says Pleaman Forsey, MHA for Exploits and critic for Land Resources.

Forsey said, “Consultations should be inclusive and fully engage the public to ensure that all stakeholders have ample opportunity to express their views and provide input. We encourage WERAC and government to listen closely to all stakeholders including residents, municipalities, user groups, interest groups, businesses and industry to ensure that their feedback is considered before any decisions are made. Extensive consultation is key to finding a balanced approach.”

The WERAC proposal “A Home for Nature: Protected Areas Plan for the Island of Newfoundland” is available at:

https://www.engagenl.ca/sites/default/files/a_home_for_nature_protected_...

Contacts:

Bradley Russell

Director of Policy and Research

(p) 1.709.729.3668

BradleyRussell@gov.nl.ca

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