The Canadian wilderness charter
1. Whereas humankind is but one of millions of species sharing planet Earth and whereas the future of the Earth is severely threatened by the activities of this single species,
2. Whereas our planet has already lost much of its former wilderness character, thereby endangering many species and ecosystems,
3. Whereas Canadians still have the opportunity to complete a network of protected areas representing the biological diversity of our country,
4. Whereas Canada's remaining wild places, be they land or water, merit protection for their inherent value,
5. Whereas the protection of wilderness also meets an intrinsic human need for spiritual rekindling and artistic inspiration,
6. Whereas Canada's once vast wilderness has deeply shaped the national identity and continues to profoundly influence how we view ourselves as Canadians,
7. Whereas Canada's aboriginal peoples hold deep and direct ties to wilderness areas throughout Canada and seek to maintain options for traditional wilderness use,
8. Whereas protected areas can serve a variety of purposes including:
a) preserving a genetic reservoir of wild plants and animals for future use
and appreciation by citizens of Canada and the world,
b) producing economic benefits from environmentally sensitive tourism,
c) offering opportunities for research and environmental education,
9. Whereas the opportunity to complete a national network of protected areas must be grasped and acted upon during the next ten years, or be lost,
We agree and urge:
1. That governments, industries, environmental groups and individual Canadians commit themselves to a national effort to establish at least one representative protected are in each of the natural regions of Canada by the year 2000,
2. That the total area thereby protected comprise at least 12% of the lands and waters of Canada as recommended in the World Commission on Environment and Development's report, Our Common Future,
3. That public and private agencies at international, national, provincial, territorial and local levels rigorously monitor progress toward meeting these goals in Canada and ensure that they are fully achieved, and
4. That federal, provincial and territorial government conservation agencies on behalf of all Canadians develop action plans by 1990 for achieving these goals by the year 2000.