CPAWS expresses disappointment in Government axing MOU

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is expressing disappointment with what it calls the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s reckless decision to terminate the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the feasibility assessment of a proposed South Coast National Marine Conservation Area.

The province would have received potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funding, which would have directly benefitted communities, including Burgeo, Ramea and Conne River.

In June 2023, the Provincial Government publicly celebrated the signing of this MOU as a significant milestone and a momentous step toward safeguarding one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most ecologically and culturally significant coastal regions.

The group says that by terminating the process prematurely, the province has cut communities out of the conversation.

The group has provided a template for those who want to send a letter to Premier Wakeham and Minister Tibbs.