Tuesday, June 16, 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

Veterans groups to get $20M to weather COVID-19

Veterans groups to get $20M to weather COVID-19
The government first set aside $20 million for veterans groups that provide services to former military personnel in the COVID-19 relief bill passed by Parliament last month.

Veterans groups to get $20M to weather COVID-19

Toronto, Ontario record new COVID-19 record

Toronto, Ontario record new COVID-19 record
Toronto reports 520 new cases of COVID-19 today, after recording 482 new cases Monday. British Columbia reported nearly 1,000 cases Monday, after implementing tougher new restrictions in the Vancouver area over the weekend.

Toronto, Ontario record new COVID-19 record

Man accused in van attack raises NCR defence

Man accused in van attack raises NCR defence
Minassian told a detective just hours after the incident that he carried out the attack as retribution against society because he was a lonely virgin who believed women wouldn't have sex with him.

Man accused in van attack raises NCR defence

Medicago reports promising COVID-19 vaccine tests

Medicago reports promising COVID-19 vaccine tests
Medicago says the side effects were generally mild to moderate and short in duration. The Phase 1 clinical trial was a randomized, partially blinded study of 180 healthy people.

Medicago reports promising COVID-19 vaccine tests

Horgan gives first address after election victory

Horgan gives first address after election victory
He says if B.C. residents want to avoid the heavier restrictions of the early days of the pandemic, they have to find safe ways to gather, celebrate and observe life events using technologies instead of meeting in person.

Horgan gives first address after election victory

Metro Vancouver expands protected wetland

Metro Vancouver expands protected wetland
Sav Dhaliwal, the Metro Vancouver board chair, says use of regional parks has exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Metro Vancouver expands protected wetland