First Nation to receive funding to help protect Hudson Bay lowlands
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced at the COP-15 Biodiversity conference Wednesday that Ottawa will be giving $800 million to four Indigenous-led conservation initiatives.
One of them is in the Hudson Bay lowlands in the far north part of our region, home to diverse wildlife, billions of migratory birds and an important carbon-capturing area for the planet.
Trudeau’s announcement was an earth-shaking one for the Mushkegowuk council, which has been working to protect the Hudson Bay lowlands from human interference.
It’s one of four Indigenous-led conservation efforts in the country that will get a piece of that $800 million, as well as more than $200 million in philanthropic financing, making it more than $1 billion towards protecting traditional land that’s critical to the world.
Officials said Friday it’s global recognition of how critical the far north is to the health of the planet.
“This is the largest carbon sink in North America, it’s the third largest one in the world,” said Lawrence Martin, of Mushkegowuk Marine Conservation.
“And that carbon is, actually, what the elders called ‘breathing lands.’”
Not only that, Martin said the land and surrounding marine area is home to vast numbers of fish, polar bears, seals, beluga whales and creatures from around the world.
“August and September, you have this huge migration of billions, three to five billion birds,” he said.
Which, Martin said, make Hudson Bay and James Bay part of a global ecosystem -- and a stronghold in tackling climate change.
It’s unclear how much money Mushkegowuk will get to work on protecting the area, but officials said it will help build infrastructure, office space and housing, plus create hundreds of jobs.
The vision is to create an economy in the area based not on extracting resources, but preventing that from ever happening.
'BEING STEWARDS, BEING GUARDIANS'
“In terms of protecting the region, being stewards, being guardians,” said Vern Cheechoo, of Mushkegowuk council.
“Ensuring that the wetlands are still operating the way they should be.”
“We can’t let out human activities destroy the Earth, destroy all life,” Martin added.
“It’s our responsibility to look after the Earth.”
Cheechoo said having Indigenous communities take the lead on this is a reconciliation effort -- but also a message for everyone.
“We have to reconcile our relationship with Mother Earth,” he said.
“Because Mother Earth is going to take over if we don’t. And we’re not going to stand a chance, if that happens.”
Mushkegowuk officials will meet with Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault next week to talk details.
They’re also preparing to speak with world leaders at a climate change conference in February, to talk more about the Hudson Bay lowlands.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Attempt to have murder charge quashed against alleged serial killer dismissed by judge
A motion filed by the man accused of killing four Indigenous women in Winnipeg to have one of those murder charges quashed has been dismissed by the judge – weeks before the start of his trial.
Government proposes new policy for federally regulated employees to disconnect from work
In their 2024 budget, the federal government wants to amend the Canada Labour Code, so employers in federally regulated sectors will eliminate work-related communication with employees outside of scheduled hours. If implemented, this would affect roughly 500,000 across the country.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.