N.W.T. gov't to unveil Thaidene Nene park plans tonight in Yellowknife
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society worried N.W.T. park legislation not strong enough
The N.W.T. government is holding a public meeting tonight in Yellowknife that will give people their first chance to hear about the government's plans for the proposed Thaidene Nene Park on the east arm of Great Slave Lake.
Since devolution, the territorial government has gained greater control of the proposed park area. Officials want some land in that area to be earmarked as a park under territorial parks legislation, while they want other lands to be turned into caribou conservation zones, under the Wildlife Act.
Other areas would have no formal conservation status, however.
The N.W.T. chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society is worried fewer areas will be protected.
"The existing legislation, the Territorial Parks Act, that would be used to protect Thaidene Nene in our mind is not strong enough," says Erica Janes, a conservation outreach coordinator with the society.
"It's not guaranteed to be permanent and it doesn't explicitly prohibit industrial development."
Tonight's session starts at 7 p.m. at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre.
The government will also hold meetings in Fort Smith, Hay River and Fort Resolution later this month.