III Prevention of Rivers in their Natural State

At the 'Wild Rivers Seminar' convened by the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs in September 1978 it was recommended that high priority be given to preservation of rivers in their natural state and to the establish- ment of a national system of heritage rivers. To date there is no clear evidence of sub- stantial progress in this direction.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Canadian Nature Federation urges the federal, provincial and territorial governments

to proceed expeditiously to develop and implement

a Canadian heritage rivers system.

IV Bowhead Whale Research

The bowhead whale, now classified as 'endangered' in Canada, has undergone drastic population declines in both the western and eastern Canadian Arctic. Although extensive information will be needed by the federal govern— ment to adequately judge future northern environmental impact assessments, funding and staff cuts over the past several years have drastically reduced its capability of conducting northern biological research.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED

that the Canadian Nature

Federation urges the

Government of Canada

a) to initiate studies of bowhead whale biology and behaviour needed to adequately assess the expected impacts of industrial

activity on this endangered species; and

b) to increase its research capability for northern biological studies.

V Commercial Whaling

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The Canadian govenment's advisory Committee on Whales and Whaling, as well as the international scientific community, have called for a moratorium on commercial whaling. However, at the 32nd meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1980 Canada not only opposed a moratorium but case the deciding vote in favour of the continued killing of sperm whales.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Canadian Nature Federation expresses its strong displeasure to the federal government at Canad'a stand at the recent IWC meeting and urges the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans a) to request that a vote on a moratorium on commercial whaling be placed on the agenda of the 33rd Annual Meeting of the IWC; and b) to instruct his delegation to vote in favour of this moratorium.

VI Grassland National Park

To date the proposed Brassland National Park has public support, conditional approval from the Saskatchewan government and an indication from the federal cabinet to complete negotiations with Saskatchewan.