31/01/2005 - The Honourable
Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment
and the Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister
of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) today announced
the federal government’s plans to continue
a year-round human presence on Sable Island
and to directly manage the Island’s Weather
Station.
“The federal government, along with the
province of Nova Scotia, agree that it is
in the best interests of Canadians to ensure
that Sable Island, with its special history
and unique scientific and ecological value,
is preserved for generations to come,” said
Minister Dion. “We believe the best way
to achieve this is by maintaining a human
presence on the island.”
“Canadians understand the historical and
environmental importance of Sable Island.
The federal and provincial governments are
responding today to Canadian’s concerns
for the future of Sable Island and remain
committed to finding a viable long-term
solution to protect Sable Island’s future,”
said Minister Regan.
"The Province of Nova Scotia has worked
very hard with the federal
government and Sable Island stakeholders
to ensure that the island would
be preserved and protected. We welcome the
federal government's
commitment to continue a year-round human
presence on Sable Island,"
said Nova Scotia's Minister of Natural Resources
Richard Hurlburt.
The government’s decision to reassume the
management and operation of the Sable Island
station responds to the Sable Island Preservation’s
Trusts’ assertions that the island’s infrastructure
is best managed by the federal government,
leaving the group to focus its energies
on the vital tasks of public education,
research, and conservation.
The federal government will work closely
with the province of Nova Scotia and the
Sable Island Preservation Trust to ensure
that the transition from the current management
structure to the new one is as smooth and
seamless as possible for the people involved.
