(OTTAWA) – The Green Party of Canada applauds a decision today by Parks Canada to cancel the controversial Mother Canada monument in Cape Breton Islands National Park.
“The privatization of a chunk of Cape Breton Highlands National Park was approved in secret by the Harper cabinet with no public consultation,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (Saanich – Gulf Islands). “I commend Environment Minister Catherine McKenna for recognizing that National Parks land was not the right choice for an expansive memorial.”
May hopes a more appropriate Vimy Ridge monument site will now be selected, and said she will continue to focus on protecting another Parks Canada area: Sable Island National Park in Nova Scotia.
“I was the only MP to oppose Bill S-15, legislation passed in 2013 that allows for oil and gas exploration and seismic testing inside this National Park,” May said. “We all want to see Sable Island protected, but it’s tortured logic to think that we’re protecting this rare and pristine area by allowing oil exploration. We need to revisit this legislation and get it right.”
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Dan Palmer
Press Secretary | Attaché de presse
dan.palmer@greenparty.ca
(613) 614-4916