The Wilderness Committee fights against the "bulldoze first and ask questions later" mindset regarding conservation efforts in the bio-diverse, boreal forests of Manitoba. Government and industry plan to expand logging roads, which would increase commerce, thus negatively affecting ecosystems in the forests as well as defying First Nation policies. This report gives an overview of the issues and what needs to be done to protect more wilderness in Manitoba.

Manitoba's conservation vision for Lake Winnipeg's east shore

Wilderness Committee Educational Report Vol.21 - No.03, Spring/Summer 2002

Great grey owl.

Manitoba’s provincial bird - also known as the Ghost of the Forest - the Great Grey Owl relies on the old growth forest habitat on the East Side. Photo taken by the Poplar River First Nation.

Roads Threaten East Shore

Government sponsored road will foreclose on preservation

In November of 2001, the Manitoba government issued the East Side Lake Winnipeg Draft Planning Report. The Report includes many suggestions on how the land-use planning should be undertaken for the East Shore Wilderness Area. Unfortunately, this report is an insult to any fair-minded person who may have hoped for meaningful public consultation. The Manitoba government is proposing to give out resource allocations for industrial logging operations before the planning process is even completed. The report also indicates that the government will allow road construction in the area at the same time as the land-use planning is in progress. Common sense indicates that before you build, you plan first!

Common sense indicates that you plan before you start building!

The Wilderness Committee has long advocated for planning processes that are based on sound scientific principles and are fair to all parties being consulted. To acheive this the provincial government must make provisions for the planning process to include:

  • An ecology-first approach in the East Shore Wilderness planning process
  • Absolutely NO road building and NO resources given to industry before the entire planning process, including scientific studies and public consultation, is complete.
  • Highway planning, mining exploration and development, Hydro’s BiPole III project, and other development plans impacting the area must be halted during the land-use planning process
  • Thorough First Nations consultation must take place, with First Nation consent required before proceeding with any development.
  • A majority of the East Side area must be fully protected from industrial exploitation such as clearcut logging, mining, and hydro.

    This is the largest area of intact, roadless boreal wilderness left on Earth. It is our obligation to protect the ecological diversity of this spectacular place that is the “East Shore Wilderness.”

    Aspen trees

    Poplar trees offer food, habitat, and building supplies to a wide range of wildlife species. Photos taken by the Poplar River First Nation.

    Aspen trees

    Trembling Aspen trees are used by the Ojibway people to construct hunting tools and snowshoes.