The Far North of Ontario has local, regional, national and global significance.
Ontario is undertaking an ambitious approach to protection that will both conserve the vast Far North Boreal forest, wetlands, tundra and peatlands and contribute to an environmentally sustainable economic future and greater prosperity for the area's First Nations people.
The Far North is valuable to all people of Ontario. Although many Ontarians have never been to the Far North, and may never go, we all benefit from the area. It is an area of globally significant wilderness, biodiversity, wildlife, ecosystems and culture. Protecting the Far North preserves greenspace, helps mitigate climate change and safeguards our natural biodiversity.
At 450,000 square kilometres, stretching the whole width of Northern Ontario, from Manitoba in the west, to James Bay and Quebec in the east, it is difficult to grasp the vast amount of land in the Far North. By assuring that at least half of the Far North - an area three and a half times the size of Lake Superior - is permanently protected, we are safeguarding the province's rich and diverse natural biodiversity.
Balancing that protection with pockets of environmentally sustainable development, will establish environmental protection and economic stability.
