A poll conducted by Leger last week allowed a broad spectrum of Manitobans to weigh in on how they want protected areas to be managed. Respondents were a balanced mix of genders, education, and ethnicities across Manitoba from ages 18-65. Over 54% identified themselves as never hunted or fished.
The key findings were:
• Nine out of every ten Manitobans feel that parks and protected areas should be open for the public to visit regardless of the location.
• Manitobans overwhelmingly prefer to have Manitoba Parks controlling access and management to parks and protected areas in Manitoba.
o Roughly two thirds (64%) feel most comfortable with the provincial government (Manitoba Parks) controlling access to parks and protected areas and 62% trust them more than other governing bodies or organizations.
o Only 15% feel comfortable and fewer than two in ten (12%) trust the federal government (Parks Canada) controlling access to parks and protected areas.
