Advisory Committee Formed
Cap-aux-Meules, Quebec, May 9, 2012 -- The governments of Canada and Quebec today announced the creation of a committee that will act in an advisory capacity to the steering committee for the study announced in December 2011 on the creation of a marine protected area in the Îles-de-la-Madeleinede. The creation of this committee is a significant step that demonstrates the governments’ desire to involve the Îles-de-la-Madeleine community in this study.
During the first meeting, held today at Cap-aux-Meules, the area agency representatives on the advisory committee discussed their mandate, the functioning of the committee and their plan of action.
The advisory committee’s main role will be to inform the Îles-de-la-Madeleine community of the different steps as the study progresses. It will also gather comments from the community, encourage sharing of information, and identify the opportunities and limitations related to establishing a marine protected area in Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
The advisory committee consists of representatives from various sectors present in Îles-de-la-Madeleine including representatives from the municipal level, fisheries, aquaculture, preservation of natural heritage and environment, culture and education, economic development, and tourism.
Co-chairs of the advisory committee include Léopold Gaudreau, Assistant Deputy Minister of sustainable development for Quebec’s Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs, Michel Boivin, Executive Director of Parks Canada in Quebec, and Joël Arseneau, President of the Îles-de-la-Madeleine Agglomeration Council.
The two-year study regarding a marine protected area in Îles-de-la-Madeleine will allow us to document the ecological, economic, social and cultural features of the area. Conservation issues and related sectors of interest, and the presentation opportunities and limitations related to establishing a marine protected area will also be studied. Finally, special attention will be given to the points of view, expectations and concerns of the Îles-de-la-Madeleine community. Based on this study, the governments will make decisions within their respective jurisdictions and take into account their commitment to protecting and presenting the biodiversity of the Îles-de-la-Madeleine maritime plateau.
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Information:
Lise Rochette
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Vice-President, Operations
Eastern Canada
Parks Canada
418-648-4539
Media relations
Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs
418-521-3991
http://twitter.com/parkscanada
