Appeal aims to ensure park logging ban legislation protects our parks

WINNIPEG - Today, the Wilderness Committee filed notice that they will appeal the recent Queen’s Bench legal decision, which stated a logging road in a provincial park is not prohibited under Manitoba’s park logging ban.
“We believe the learned Judge erred in his judgement,” said Eric Reder, Manitoba Campaigner for the Wilderness Committee. “We feel it is important to clarify our park protection legislation--for Manitobans, and for all of our provincial parks.”

In 2008, the Manitoba government announced plans to ban logging in provincial parks. A few weeks after the new legislation was proclaimed, the government issued an Environment License to Tolko Industries for the construction of the Dickstone South Logging Road across Grass River Provincial Park.

Last summer, the Wilderness Committee filed an unusual legal action, a Queen’s Bench 14.05 Rule Review. The Wilderness Committee asked a judge for a legal definition—is a logging road considered logging or not? If it is, then construction of a logging road across Grass River Provincial Park by Tolko Industries must be illegal. “We felt this was a respectful, responsible way to resolve the dispute between the government and Manitobans,” said Reder.

In February 2012, the judge’s decision was delivered, and it states that while a logging road is considered logging, the construction of Tolko’s logging road is not banned by Manitoba’s legislation.

“The Premier promised us legislation that banned logging in parks. We believe this recent legal decision goes against the Premier’s promise. We understand that going the route of an appeal is a long, expensive process, but this is about the sanctity of Manitoba`s park system,” said Reder.

“Manitoba parks are our lake country, our camping spots, our outdoor destinations. They are the habitat for our birds, animals and plants. They are our fishing grounds, and our fresh water. Parks are our natural heritage. And we at the Wilderness Committee will keep standing up for our parks and our wilderness areas until they are fully protected,” said Reder.

Contact:

Eric Reder,Wilderness Committee, Manitoba Campaign Director: 204-997-8584

HD B-roll video footage of the logging road is available.
High resolution images of the logging road are available.