June 2, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario – Parks Canada
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced the introduction of Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area Act to formally establish the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area.
The proposed Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) comprises more than 10,000 square kilometres of the lake, and includes lakebed, islands and north shorelands – making it one of the largest freshwater marine protected areas in the world.
First Nations, Métis and local communities have demonstrated their common will to protect the rugged beauty of this extraordinary natural area, to maintain its use for recreational purposes and to strengthen its contribution to the local economy. The Government of Canada is committed to engaging communities and partners, including First Nations and Métis, in order to protect and present our natural places.
Establishing a NMCA in Lake Superior contributes to Canada’s National Conservation Plan (NCP) with concrete action to conserve Canada’s lands and waters and connect Canadians to nature, while contributing to NCP goals of encouraging local initiatives and partnerships that will lead to positive results.
Jonathan Lefebvre
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Parks Canada
1-855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca
