Manitoba Wildlife Federation continuing to hold town hall meetings into the spring

To raise awareness about potential changes to the way land is managed in Manitoba, which could limit could access for anglers and hunters, the Manitoba Wildlife Federation is continuing to hold town hall meetings into the spring. What began as a platform for hunters to voice concerns over wildlife tag reductions, the meetings have since grown in scope and size, says the MWF’s senior land conservation specialist, Dennis Schindler.

A key issue now is the federal government’s plan to establish nine Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) in the province. Under the IPCA program, Ottawa has identified nine areas in Manitoba where it wants to gain control from the province and establish national parks, then turn over management to local First Nations.

Pointing to the Ashnola IPCA in B.C., where non-indigenous hunting has been restricted, Schindler says the MWF is concerned IPCA designations in Manitoba will likewise affect access for non-indigenous hunters, anglers and trappers.

Also of concern is Ottawa’s plan to grow its network of ecological corridors in the province, designed to create or restore habitat connectivity so wildlife can move safely among various protected areas. The problem with the plan, warns the MWF, is that it can affect private land and threaten local livelihoods—without adequate consultation with stakeholders.

And the MWF is not alone in its concerns. In mid-January, for example, the Assiniboine West Watershed District decided not to accept a federal ecological corridors grant—totalling almost $1 million—due to strong opposition from a group of local farmers known as the Manitoba Land Stewards.

“Their campaign, supported by our collective efforts, successfully brought this critical issue to light,” states the MWF on its Instagram page. “This victory underscores the importance of better policy, meaningful consultation, and the strength of local voices in driving real, balanced conservation.”

Learn more about the MWF’s programs and positions at www.mwf.mb.ca.