Liberals ignoring impact of clear-cutting on endangered species

Zann concerned practice is unsustainable

HALIFAX – NDP Environment spokesperson Lenore Zann says the results of a Freedom of Information request show the Liberals are not even considering the impact increased clear-cutting is having on endangered species.

“Over a four-year period, the Liberal government produced just a single piece of paper regarding endangered species and the impact of clear-cutting,” said Zann. “The only document the government has produced is about an endangered lichen. They have not done any analysis about the impact of increasing clear-cutting on crown land on other endangered plants and animals in our province.”

The Liberals have also been criticized by the Auditor General for failing to implement several recommendations on the protection of endangered species. The Auditor General found that many provincial monitoring programs are not in place and there is insufficient data.

Clear-cutting has been increasing since the Liberals abandoned the NDP commitment in the Natural Resources Strategy to reduce clear-cutting to 50 per cent. The National Forestry Database shows that 86 per cent of the cutting on crown land is done by clear-cutting.

“Our forests are home to a wide variety of species and these ecosystems need to be preserved. I’m concerned the current practice is not sustainable,” said Zann. “How can the Liberals ensure that their decision to increase clear-cutting on crown land will not adversely impact endangered species and other wildlife if they aren’t bothering to do the necessary research?”

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