WINNIPEG (Treaty 1 Territory and Homeland of the Métis Nation) — On January 10, several screenshots of social media posts purported to be by the Director of Parks and Protected Spaces Rob Nedotiafko were published on Twitter and Instagram. These posts expressed avid support for U.S. President Donald Trump.

Among the legacies of the Trump administration is the unprecedented rollback of environmental regulations and gutting of environmental protections. Additionally, this president is linked to the alarming rise of white supremacy in North America, a situation that must be unequivocally condemned by all public figures and agencies. 

The dismantling of environmental regulations under Trump has been well documented by our U.S. colleagues at the Centre for Biological Diversity and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Specific deregulations regarding exempting logging from environmental assessment and the selling off of public parklands mirror serious problems impacting Manitoba parks today. 

The most important work to be done in Manitoba parks is around decolonization. The 63 First Nations in Manitoba must be actively engaged in park management, protection of biodiversity and climate defences, as well as park expansion. 

In 2021 we are preparing for the highest visitation Manitoba parks have ever experienced. It is a critical time to grow parks. 

The Wilderness Committee believes public support for a president who has inhibited and reversed progress on conservation and fanned the flames of white supremacy is inappropriate conduct for a director of parks or any public official.

We believe a new director of parks who can exercise appropriate judgement must be appointed to this important file if the screenshots of Nedotiafko are valid. 

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For more information, please contact:

Eric Reder | Wilderness and Water Campaigner
204-997-8584, eric@wildernesscommittee.org