Announced in 2002 a National Marine Conservation Area for the southern Strait of Georgia has been under study since 1995.

But, twenty years of waiting...and still no Reserve? As a reminder to our federal and provincial governments of Canada's exceptionally poor record - last in the world with just one percent of our coastline protected, VICCS invites you to sign our Petition to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and to British Columbia's Premier Christy Clark.

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August 2014

Dear Premier & Prime Minister,

It’s time to honour your promise, and declare the Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area. Please.

Canada would benefit from rich habitat and revitalized fisheries, and British Columbia, the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island would see healthy coastal communities take shape and prosper.

If the United States can designate 30% of its coastline in marine protected areas, and Australia can declare 33%, then Canada should do its part too! Let's walk the talk, and be responsible global citizens.

This is the best time and our best chance to build strong, healthy coastal communities. Let’s be leaders, nurture ocean biodiversity and habitat protection, and foster sustainable development.

Rich in promise, diverse and alive, the southern Strait of Georgia, the Salish Sea, speaks of Canada’s beginnings, wonder and discovery.

As a gift to our common future a National Marine Conservation Area offers a practical and proven world-class sustainability and development model that respects nature, and benefits us all.

Please act now and declare the Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area.

...A Petition From The Vancouver Island & Coast Conservation Society

P.O. Box 333, Cedar, B.C., V9X 1W1, www.viccs@vcn.bc.ca, <viccs@vcn.bc.ca>