Victor Lau for Regina Douglas Park

IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct 24, 2020 Saskatchewan Needs Wetlands Protection Policy Saskatchewan is the only province without a Wetlands Protection Policy. It’s time... that Saskatchewan follows the lead of our neighbours in Alberta and Manitoba and develop a more balanced mitigation policy, one that offers protection for municipalities, producers, and society. We live in an incredibly beautiful and unique province., beams Naomi Hunter, Leader of the Saskatchewan Green Party. But more importantly our waterways and grasslands are needed in the fight against the Climate Crisis. We need a government who will value natural spaces, not just the resources extracted from them. When wetlands are drained, we lose the benefits they provide of clean water, flood and drought protection, and recreation opportunities. In late 2019, the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA) began consulting stakeholders on a new Wetland Conservation Policy for agricultural land that would allow drainage to occur, but with limits designed to ensure preservation of wetland benefits. The biggest deficiency of WSA’s policy is the provision allowing landowners to drain smaller wetlands in exchange for implementing alternate conservation measures, such as planting winter cereals or protecting other natural areas. While it’s great that they are talking about conserving other areas, that is still not the same as actually conserving wetlands. To put this in a Saskatchewan perspective, it would be like saying, There's nothing here but wheat and canola farms. states Hunter. But in reality we are much more diverse. People know that we all contribute to a healthy Saskatchewan and should also see that wetlands are their own unique part of the ecological world and need distinct protection. The Saskatchewan Green Party will introduce within the first 100 days of being elected, a Wetlands Conservation Policy that doesn’t fall short of what is actually needed. As well, we will introduce legislation to protect our grasslands. Upon election, the Saskatchewan Green Party will keep: *Crown grasslands publicly-owned and protected from development, including former PFRA and provincial pastures. *Halt the sale of public land with ecological value including Crown lands that, until removed by recent Order-in-Council, had been protected under the Wildlife Habitat Protection Act. *Introduce legislation to Strengthen the Environmental Assessment process to better involve the public and protect the remaining grasslands from development. We will bring forward legislation to Protect native prairie, including monitoring and enforcing Conservation Easements preventing breaking of these lands. Once native prairie is broken it cannot be restored. I'm a farmer and my Dad always taught us 'it's easier to do something right the first time, than to fix it later.', states Hunter. Let's get it right, our children need us to show them the way. For more information please contact: Naomi Hunter Saskatchewan Green Party Leader 1 (306) 561-8880 [email protected] Victor Lau Deputy Leader SGP 1 (306) 737-5345 [email protected]

Join Naomi Hunter - The Leader of the Green Party of Saskatchewan, Annamie Paul - Leader of the Green Party of Canada and Kevin Arseneau - Green Party MLA in Ne...w Brunswick; for a casual discussion on common issues that are affecting people all across Canada. From farmer to farmer to city dweller, the group will discuss a fair and caring transition after COVID-19, the climate emergency and similar links and issues between provinces. See more

Heather Lau was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan near Cut Knife. She has lived in both Saskatoon and -- for the past 18 years -- in Regina. She is married ...with three children (and two dogs). Together with her husband Victor, she owns and runs a pet care business. Throughout Victor's term as Green Party leader and after, she has hosted many community gatherings and celebrations with food and friendship. Heather also has been a Board member of the Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry and the Casey Foundation for Autism Support Inc. Due to these experiences Heather has developed great passion for disability activism, and she advocates for a Guranteed Livable Income and rent control. Heather's business and community contacts have connected her with people from all areas of Regina. She believes everyone should have the opportunity to vote Green, and she encourages women to become more active in politics, because the voices of women are needed now more than ever in our public discourse. Heather calls on every Saskatchewan citizen to vote in this election and make their voice heard. See more

Neither of the 2 major parties in this election give #ClimateAction the attention that's required. Vote Green to make sure the environment is on the legislature's agenda. #climatechange

Naomi Hunter, leader and Victor Lau, deputy leader are set to make history on OCT 26 with a full slate of fantastic candidates. VOTE for someone you believe in! FULL PLATFORM - https://saskgreen.ca/a-fair-and-caring-transition/

Please check out our platform at saskgreen.ca!