January 23, 2015
Vancouver
Natural Resources Canada
The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, today met with Musqueam First Nation Chief Wayne Sparrow to discuss collaboration on environmental initiatives on Musqueam territory.
During this visit, Minister Rickford announced an investment of $207,000 toward the restoration of key fish habitats in the Musqueam Creek watershed and the lower Fraser River tidal marsh, and an additional investment of $87,285 for the Musqueam First Nation to study the development of a Pacific Centre of Marine and Land Stewardship in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. These announcements were made on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.
The Fish Habitat Restoration Project will benefit the Musqueam First Nation by ensuring the protection and enhancement of marine and land habitats within the Musqueam people’s traditional territory.
The Musqueam First Nation will examine the feasibility of a Pacific Centre of Marine and Land Stewardship to implement best-of-class traditional knowledge, local community and resource management practices and governance models in relation to the Lower Fraser River. This funding will help ensure that such a centre would meet the objectives and goals of First Nations, government and industry.
These announcements build on the discussion between Minister Rickford and Chief Sparrow last November to strengthen efforts between the Government of Canada and the Musqueam First Nation on the environmental aspects related to energy infrastructure development.
This partnership reinforces the Government’s ongoing commitment to working with Aboriginal Peoples to ensure that they are fully engaged and have every opportunity to benefit from resource development projects in Canada.
The Honourable Greg Rickford
Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
Wayne Sparrow
Chief of the Musqueam First Nation
Alexandra Lemieux
Press Secretary
Office of Canada’s
Minister of Natural Resources
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