Harper comes to King to announce support for land conservancy
By Bill Rea

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was flanked by Environment Minister John Baird and York - Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan when he appeared the The Kingbridge Centre as he announced the federal government's planned contribution to preserving natural areas.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and the federal government have joined in a partnership as part of a national campaign to acquire and preserve ecologically sensitive land.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was at The Kingbridge Centre near King City last Wednesday, accompanied by Environment Minister john Baird and York - Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan, to announce that the government will invest in the program.

"This investment will result in the long-term protection of Canada's natural treasures," Harper commented. "It builds on the action we took in last year's budget to fully exempt from capital gains tax private donations of lands to conservation groups."

It was a busy morning for the PM in King. It started with him visiting the Happy Valley Forest area and paying a call on Dr. Harvey Barnett, who has gained considerable renown over the years for his work in conservation, including granting an 80-acre easement through the forest a couple of years ago.

"Dr. Barnett and his neighbours are to be applauded," Harper declared.

He pointed out most of the forests in southern Ontario were logged in the last century, but added Happy Valley is on the verge of becoming an old-growth forest; "nature's rain barrel."

Harper commented that Canada is a very urban country, but with a strong commitment to its heritage. He added the country's economy and history has been shaped by its geography.

He said the hope is this partnership will result in the acquisition and preservation of some 500,000 acres all over the country.

Harper said NCC will be working with various conservation groups, like Ducks Unlimited and the Canadian Land Trust Alliance. They will identify ecologically valuable lands and seek donations or preservation agreements with landowners.

The PM also said the feds will be contributing $225 million as their share toward land purchases on the part of NCC for preservation.

"Our government is taking concrete action to protect species at risk and secure habitat on ecologically sensitive lands," commented Baird. "Thanks to thousands of individual volunteers and donors, we are well on our way to reverse the worrisome decline in wildlife populations of the last decades."

Last week's announcement came as very good news to John Lounds, president and CEO of NCC, who said he was "absolutely delighted" to be part of the day's festivities, calling the announcement the best thing to happen in the field of land preservation in a long time.

"This initiative demonstrates the power of private-public partnerships in addressing Canada's urgent conservation needs," he commented. "By working together, we will ensure that our country's ecological treasures are conserved for all Canadians to enjoy, today and tomorrow."

He cited the Happy Valley Forest as one of those treasures, and marvelled at how it has been preserved.

"It's not much different from what Brule would have seen about four centuries ago," he remarked, adding this new partnership is the next step in the coming challenge to preserve more of these lands.

The campaign will focus on lands that have national or provincial ecological significance that provide habitat for species at risk or migratory birds, or that connect to existing protected areas.

Harper told reporters these initiatives of the government differ from those of the previous Liberal government. "The way it differs from the previous government's action is we're actually doing something," he remarked, adding he was not aware of the previous government having partnerships with NCC or anyone else.

"I was proud and honoured that the prime minister chose to make the announcement in King Township," commented Mayor Margaret Black, who was also on hand for the announcement, calling it a sign of support for all the environmental efforts being made in King. "It epitomizes what we're trying to do."

She added she got to meet briefly with the PM, and was rather taken with him.

"He's certainly much more down-to-earth than I expected,' she remarked. "Actually, a very friendly person."