This morning, the Province of Manitoba announced the approval of a Tim Horton's children's camp in Whiteshell Park on Sylvia Lake. This approval occurred despite the fact that there is still no plan in place for where and how much development Manitobans want in this important piece of natural heritage in Southeastern Manitoba.

We have heard a lot about planning in Manitoba recently. Plan Winnipeg is being replaced by Our Winnipeg. Our Conservation Districts are embarking of Integrated Watershed Plans. Our elected officials have even sought fit to ensure a sustainable plan for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.   So why not a plan for the Whiteshell?

In order for development to be environmentally and socially sustainable, there needs to be a plan to see how it all fits in place. Otherwise, a project that may seem harmless or even beneficial at first glance, may turn out to have negative impacts once we consider how it fits it in with other project it's already underway. We can lose sight of alternative developments that may be even more beneficial.  Or we may not be aware of their cumulative impacts.  But there still no long term plan for one of Manitobans favourite and most biologically important parks.

This past spring, I had the chance to take part in a hike to Sylvia Lake organized by the Wilderness Committee and CPAWS. I was inspired by the beauty of the isolated location. The Tim Horton's camp will bring new roads and other forms development into the park, driving out wildlife and breaking up the habitat. I was also struck by how there are many opportunities to build the camp outside park. Locations just outside the park would offer the advantages of access to the Whiteshell, while not disturbing the integrity of the land. We can only guess the reasons for proposing to build within the park. Possibly, it offers Tim Horton's Foundation advantages of not being responsible for the roads inside the park. Maybe it is cheaper to acquire subsidized public land rather than pay market price outside the park. We do not know the answers because there has been no public input or participation.

It is time to create plans for all our parks in Manitoba before they are eroded away one by one. Let your elected officials know that you will not stand for your natural heritage being carved up for private projects. Go to CPAWS and Wilderness Committee for more information.