Ducks Unlimited Canada pleased that wetland conservation is now an issue in the federal election

Stonewall, Man. – Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement today that a re-elected Conservative government would invest an additional $5 million per year in the conservation and enhancement of habitat used by wildlife species harvested by hunters and trappers.

“We welcome the Prime Minister’s proposed commitment to invest in wildlife habitat conservation,” said DUC president Jim Couch.

“The Wildlife Conservation and Enhancement Program announced today would be a step forward for wetland restoration and for our country’s migratory bird populations. The fact is, Canada currently loses almost 12,000 hectares of wetlands each year. These wetlands are far more than just habitat for waterfowl – they filter the water we drink, they help mitigate climate change, and they help to reduce the impact of floods and droughts,” said Couch.

“In this election, Ducks Unlimited Canada and our 110,000 supporters are looking to all of the federal political parties to propose new concrete measures that support and recognize the tremendous value played by Canada’s wetlands, and to commit to reversing the trend of wetland loss in this country through expanded public investments. Specifically, we are looking for major commitments to invest in wetland restoration and conservation on private lands, for additional protection of Canada’s boreal wetlands, and for investment in wetlands as green infrastructure to mitigate natural disasters.”

“DUC would also like to express our support for the proposed regulatory changes in support of outdoor recreation activities in Canada. Efforts to modernize the Migratory Birds Act are due in no small part to the hard work undertaken by officials within the Canadian Wildlife Service, and we recognize their important contribution in helping to pass down Canada’s waterfowling heritage to the next generation of conservationists.”

Ducks Unlimited Canada is the recognized leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. Since our founding in 1938, DUC has completed over 9,700 projects and conserved 2.6 million hectares of wetlands and associated habitats across Canada.

Contact Information

James Brennan
Director of Government Affairs
(613) 565-6654
j_brennan@ducks.ca

Nigel Simms
Director of Marketing and Communications
(204) 467-3266
n_simms@ducks.ca