Sunday, June 7, 2026
ADVT 
National

UNESCO says World Heritage site "likely" in danger

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Jun, 2021 10:01 AM
  • UNESCO says World Heritage site

A United Nations agency says Canada's largest national park is now so threatened that it could likely be placed on the list of World Heritage sites in danger.

UNESCO released the finding on Alberta's Wood Buffalo National Park this week.

It says despite the federal government's $60-million action plan for the park, it continues to be threatened by development in both British Columbia and Alberta.

The report says long-term issues created by B.C.'s Site C dam remain to be worked out and that plans to release water from the tailings ponds on Alberta's oilsands are a large concern.

UNESCO says it wants to send another review panel to have a first-hand look at the park.

Melody Lepine, spokeswoman for the Mikisew Cree, welcomes the UNESCO report and says a healthy park is essential to her people's way of life.

Wood Buffalo is the world's second-largest freshwater delta and is home to millions of songbirds that migrate throughout North America, including endangered whooping cranes.

MORE National ARTICLES

Panel named to advise on new governor general

Panel named to advise on new governor general
Six people are on the panel, which was announced Friday by Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc. He'll co-chair the group with Janice Charette, a former high commissioner to the United Kingdom now filling in as clerk of the Privy Council while regular clerk Ian Shugart is treated for cancer.

Panel named to advise on new governor general

Former PM Stephen Harper sees new Cold War

Former PM Stephen Harper sees new Cold War
While middle-power countries like Canada have a role to play in that war, Harper told a defence conference today that they can't try to set their own courses completely independent of the big two.

Former PM Stephen Harper sees new Cold War

Two B.C. officers face assault charges

Two B.C. officers face assault charges
The release says the vehicle was stopped and the driver arrested in Richmond with the help of another RCMP officer, but the man was allegedly assaulted during the arrest.

Two B.C. officers face assault charges

Horgan cool on vaccine passports within B.C.

Horgan cool on vaccine passports within B.C.
Horgan says B.C. will monitor the situation as the pandemic continues and the prospect of implementing something that gives proof of vaccine hasn't been completely ruled out.

Horgan cool on vaccine passports within B.C.

Ottawa funds development of B.C. geothermal field

Ottawa funds development of B.C. geothermal field
The money will be spent on the Clarke Lake field near the community of Fort Nelson, which is nearing depletion after nearly 60 years of production. That, combined with low natural gas prices, have reduced investment and employment from the resource.

Ottawa funds development of B.C. geothermal field

B.C. urged to protect at-risk old growth forests

B.C. urged to protect at-risk old growth forests
Just over 13 million hectares of old forests remain in B.C., according to provincial data. The report notes as much as 80 per cent of that land consists of smaller trees with lower commercial value.

B.C. urged to protect at-risk old growth forests