Manitoba’s Crown Lands have always been a shared resource, supporting our province’s rich traditions of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. Today, this open access is under threat unlike any other time in recent history.
The Seal River Watershed (SRW) proposal has recently been released and raises serious concerns over the rights of access to hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. Portions of this vast area, covering 50,000 square kilometers in Northern Manitoba (8% of the province), could be closed off to hunting and outfitting if it is established as a national park. This proposal also represents the first IPCA of its kind in Manitoba and will establish the framework for how future IPCA’s are developed, governed, and managed across the province.
The Manitoba government has requested feedback on the Seal River Watershed proposal. The Manitoba Wildlife Federation and the Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association and many others, have serious concerns about the present proposal and believe a “Made in Manitoba” approach using provincial mechanisms such as Provincial Park and Wildlife Management Area designations to protect the Seal River Watershed, will best serve the future needs of all Canadians.
We encourage everyone to familiarize yourself with the proposal and to provide recommendations and feedback through Engage Manitoba during the brief consultation period (deadline to comment is June 2, 2026) at https://engagemb.ca/
For more information on our concerns on the present Seal River Watershed Proposal see: https://mwf.mb.ca/archives/12419
The entire Seal River Watershed Proposal can be found here: https://www.manitoba.ca/asset_library/en/engagemb/srw-english-protected-areas-proposal.pdf
Our objectives are to ensure that conservation efforts protect ecosystems while maintaining public access, respecting Indigenous rights, and preserving provincial authority over land and wildlife management. Protecting the watershed must go hand in hand with maintaining the role of all Manitobans who use, treasure, and steward it.