July 31, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario – Parks Canada
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, along with the Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and Ms. Anastasia Qupee, Grand Chief of the Innu Nation, today announced Akami–uapishku - KakKasuak - Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve as Canada’s 46th national park.
The agreement between the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador will see the transfer of 10,700 square kilometres of land from the province to the Government of Canada to create the national park reserve. The national park proposal was the subject of extensive consultation with Labradorians, local communities, stakeholders and Aboriginal groups.
The Government of Canada and the Innu Nation agreement will ensure the management of the national park reserve respects the rights and interests of the Innu and provides for the continued use by Innu of the land and its resources. The agreement confirms cooperative management and planning of the park between the Innu and Parks Canada.
Parks Canada is also working to finalize collaborative relationships with the Nunatsiavut Government, NunatuKavut Community Council and the Quebec Innu.
The national park reserve in the Mealy Mountains of Labrador will protect a nationally significant example of the East Coast Boreal Natural Region. The landscape is also of great cultural significance to Aboriginal people. The area includes mountain tundra, marine coasts, boreal forests, islands and rivers that are home to Atlantic salmon and trout. It will also protect important habitat for the threatened Mealy Mountains caribou herd, as well as for wolves, black bear, martens and many other species of wildlife.
This new national park reserve will provide unique Aboriginal cultural experiences and outdoor recreation activities such as canoeing, backcountry camping, and hiking.
The park’s creation contributes to Canada’s National Conservation Plan with concrete action to conserve Canada’s lands and waters and connect Canadians to nature.
Jonathan Lefebvre
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Parks Canada
1-855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca
