May 11, 2007

“DEVOLIN SUPPORTS THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF EXPERT PANEL TO PROMOTE THE FUTURE OF THE TRENT-SEVERN WATERWAY”

PETERBOROUGH – The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced the appointment of a six-member expert panel to determine the future and potential of the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada.

“The Trent-Severn Waterway is at a crossroads – factors such as changing visitor patterns, the rapidly-growing Golden Horseshoe, competing demands for water and the quality of the waterway’s natural environment, present significant challenges,” said Minister Baird. “As Minister responsible for Parks Canada, I am committed to the protection and enhancement of the waterway. To that end, I am pleased to establish this independent panel to study opportunities to maintain and promote the Waterway as a source of sustainable economic, recreational and environmental benefits for the region, the province and all of Canada.”

The panel will conduct a detailed study of the Waterway and recommend ways to ensure its long-term sustainability and to optimize its potential contributions. The panel and its mandate are the result of a Private Member’s Motion (M-161) that was introduced in the House of Commons by Bruce Stanton, Member of Parliament for Simcoe North, and passed unanimously in October of 2006. The motion calls for an evaluation of the future of the waterway, and its potential to become:

· A premier recreational asset
· A world-class destination for boaters
· A greater source of clean, renewable electric power
· A facilitator of economic opportunity and renewal for communities along its 386 km length

The panel will consult extensively with the public and stakeholders on the future role and management of the waterway, and will also consider the results of other supporting studies. The panel will submit its findings and recommendations to Minister Baird in December 2007.

“The Trent-Severn Waterway, and the corridor through which it travels, is one of the most remarkable natural, cultural, recreational and economic resources in the world,” said Devolin. “We are taking action to ensure this protected area and the values it represents are here for future generations.”

“I am proud to say that I supported Bruce Stanton’s motion,” said Devolin. “The Trent-Severn makes a valuable contribution to the economy by attracting thousands of recreational boaters and millions of visitors each year to its lock stations, campgrounds and public sites. In fact, for every person who visits the system by boat, there are five who are land-based visitors.”

Minister Baird introduced the panel chair, Mr. Douglas Downey, and the panel members during a ceremony held along the shores of the Trent-Severn Waterway at the Peterborough Lift Lock. The panel members are Sandra Barrett, Greg Bishop, Dean Peters, Doug Rollins and Professor Thomas H.B. Symons.

More information is available at www.tswpanel.ca. Information on public meetings, submissions to the panel and results of the studies will be posted on the site as they become available.

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For more information contact:
Barry Devolin 
(705) 324-2400 or (866) 688-9881