LUNN DELIVERS ANOTHER $10 MILLION
TO EXPAND GULF ISLAND NATIONAL PARK RESERVE

September 2, 2008 - SIDNEY – The Hon. Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Saanich–Gulf Islands, was very pleased to announce today a major investment of a new $10 million to expand the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.  This key investment by the Government is in addition to an existing $10 million already pledged for park expansion

“Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is truly one of Canada’s natural treasures, and as the local Member of Parliament, it gives me great pride to represent such a beautiful part of our great country,” said Minister Lunn.  “Today’s announcement is one more step towards better protecting one of the most ecologically at risk natural regions in Canada.

The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve has been assembled over the past 13 years through a combination of land purchases, transfers from the Province of British Columbia, the Capital Regional District and from private donations.  With today’s funding announcement, Parks Canada’s land acquisition fund increases to $20 million and considerably enhances the Park’s ability to acquire significant, ecologically important lands.

“As many know, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, our Government has made environmental protection and land conservation a top priority,” said Minister Lunn.  “That’s why I am so pleased to be here today to announce the expansion and protection of the park.”

In the last year, the Government of Canada has made a number of major announcements in land conservation and national parks, including:

  • a massive expansion of the Nahanni National Park Reserve;
  • protecting land twice the size of Nova Scotia to be made into a new national park on the shores of Great Slave Lake
  • creating the world’s largest freshwater marine conservation area in Lake Superior;
  • protecting the South Nahanni watershed and the Ramparts River and Wetlands;
  • invested $225 million with the Nature Conservancy of Canada to purchase and protect sensitive lands across Canada from development; and
  • the creation of three Bowhead Whale Sanctuaries on Baffin Island.

Formally established in 2003, the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve includes thirty-five square kilometres of land and inter-tidal area on fifteen islands, numerous islets and reefs.  as well as twenty-six square kilometres of marine areas which provide valuable habitat for seals and nesting shorebirds. The goal of the park is to protect small island ecosystems, as well as representative examples of headlands, shorelines and uplands or larger islands.

Parks Canada works to ensure Canada's cultural and natural heritage are presented and protected for the enjoyment, education and appreciation of all Canadians, today and in the future.

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