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Derek Neary
Northern News Services
In a Senate motion on March 25, Di Nino said it's imperative to protect the ecosystem by having the park envelop the entire watershed, which would mean increasing the park seven times its current 4,766 square kilometres.
There is, however, the matter of the two existing mines and numerous capped natural gas wells within that area. Di Nino, a Conservative, said the federal government can surely find the money to buy out those developments.
"If we can blow billions of dollars on these boondoggles the federal government has been involved in... I'm sure they can find a few million dollars to protect one of the rarest of commodities," he said. "These are national treasures."
Di Nino expressed doubt that the financially troubled CanTung mine will reopen. One study done for the federal government estimated that it will cost $48 million to completely restore the site.
The Prairie Creek mine, which has yet to begin operations, "has to be dealt with," he said.
However, compensation for any third-party interests must remain within reason, he cautioned.
Representatives of North American Tungsten and Canadian Zinc could not be reached for comment prior to press deadline.
In the Senate, Di Nino spoke of how he was moved by the area's magnificent scenery during a canoe trip on the South Nahanni River eight years ago. He was spurred to introduce the Senate motion at the urging of outfitter Neil Hartling, he noted. He has received letters of support from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and from Nahanni Butte Chief Peter Marcellais.
"What drives me on this issue is the fact that the First Nations are behind it," said Di Nino.
Supports Di Nino's motion
NWT Senator Nick Sibbeston said he supports Di Nino's motion but with two amendments. The first was that the federal government develop policies improving aboriginal employment, cultural involvement and business opportunities within the parks. Secondly, Sibbeston recommended a complete assessment of mineral and energy resources in the proposed park expansion area.
"While parks are fine, I have always maintained that one cannot make a living just by being situated close to a park in itself," Sibbeston stated. "When my uncle visited Nahanni Butte, he would say, 'What beautiful scenery, but you can't eat it.' One needs employment, one needs opportunities and one needs game in order to live."
Di Nino said he's not in favour of Sibbeston's amendment for a mineral assessment, but he said that's a decision for the territorial government and aboriginal governments to make.
