World Wetlands Day this year fell on an unseasonably warm Thursday, February 2nd. A celebration was hosted by the Wilderness Committee and the University of Winnipeg’s EcoPIA (Ecological People in Action) on the front steps of the Manitoba Legislature. Anticipating our usual winter chill we had a dozen tins of organic fair-trade hot chocolate ready to help folks brave the cold. Unfortunately for us, the mild weather meant that we were left with a ridiculous amount of leftover mix.

Emceed by our director Eric, the event included speakers from Manitoba Wildlands, CPAWS, the Lake Winnipeg Foundation, the Lake Winnipeg Project, Peguis First Nation, the Manitoba Liberal Party, the Green Party of Manitoba and the Manitoba NDP. That so many groups of such divergent backgrounds came together to recognize the importance of wetlands and the local ramifications of inadequate wetland protection speaks volumes.

While celebratory, the event had an urgent undertone. Many of those in attendance had joined together out of concern against a Hay Point peat mine proposed by Sun Gro Horticulture. The much-discussed mine is slated to be in the South Basin of Lake Winnipeg, within the boundaries of Hecla/ Grindstone Provincial Park.

This proposed mine is alarming for many reasons. Peat mining is an environmentally destructive practice that releases staggering amounts of carbon into the air and removes the peat bog’s ability to sequester carbon. It destroys unique wetland habitat, critical for several rare species, and decreases water quality.

Peat bogs cannot be restored to their natural state because their natural state has been mined, bagged and sold.

The Lake Winnipeg Foundation, a scientific-based non-profit dedicated to the protection of the Lake Winnipeg watershed through, has taken an official stance against any peat mining operations in Manitoba. The Wilderness Committee gives its complete support to the LWF’s call to end peat mining across the province. Manitobans deserve better.

That these types of mines are even a possibility reveals significant gaps in our current regulations. Manitoba needs stronger legislation against peat mining and against all forms of mining within our parks. For this to happen, Manitobans need to speak out.

- Kalyn