The Seal River Watershed (SRW) in northern Manitoba spans nearly 50,000 square kilometers of pristine land and water and is home to world-class lodges, out-camps, and important wildlife habitat.
A proposal has been released to designate the entire watershed as an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA), including the potential creation of a national park, new provincial park, and expanded management structures.
MLOA members are the face of tourism and key economic contributors in the SRW region. Through multiple meetings with norther operators, we have worked to ensure their concerns are clearly represented - particularly given that those most directly affected were not included in the proposal’s development and we had to actively push to be a part of the conversation.
We believe it is essential that members, stakeholders, and the public are informed and engaged as this process moves forward.
While the MLOA supports meaningful conservation and the long-term protection of the SRW, it is critical that any approach also respects existing operators, maintains sustainable economic contributions and ensures Manitoba retains authority over its land and resources.
We have identified several key concerns related to governance, access park designations, and boundary accuracy that require further clarification and consideration.
We strongly encourage you to read our full statement, review the proposal, and provide informed feedback through EngageMB before the June 2nd deadline.
EngageMB Link
STATEMENT:
May 1st 2026
MLOA Statement: Seal River Watershed Proposal Raises Key Concerns
Northern Manitoba is home to the Seal River Watershed (SRW) which spans more than 50,000 square kilometres or roughly 8% of the province. The SRW boasts some of the most pristine land and waters In Manitoba and is home to some of the province’s finest lodges and established outcamps. Hunting and angling tourism contribute approximately $1.5 billion in combined direct and tourism-related spending annually across Manitoba, with 2019 data indicating that up to 42% of lodge and outfitter operators are located in northern Manitoba.
In 2019, four First Nations came together to form the Seal River Watershed Alliance (the Alliance) to advance protection of the area.
In early 2024, The Alliance and the governments of Manitoba and Canada advanced a feasibility study to determine if the establishment of an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) was feasible. In early 2025, that study concluded and determined an IPCA in the SRW was feasible.
A formal proposal has now been released and available for public consultation with a deadline to comment on June 2nd. The proposal suggests the area be under a “mosaic model” but the entire Seal River Watershed (49,779 km²) designated as an IPCA. The mosaic includes the potential establishment of both a national park, a new provincial park and changes to boundaries of three existing provincial parks.
The proposal also suggests a joint management board composed of Indigenous, Canadian and Manitoba governments that would be responsible for management decisions throughout the entirety of the SRW.
This proposal represents the first IPCA of its kind in Manitoba and will establish the framework for how future IPCAs are developed, governed, and managed across the province. As such, its implications extend beyond the SRW and warrant careful consideration from all Manitobans.
The full SRW proposal can be found HERE. MLOA has reviewed the proposal in detail and met with the Province to review the mapping and location of operators. The MLOA strongly urges the public to review the proposal and consider the following position and recommendations before submitting comments.
Proposed National Park
The Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association (MLOA) strongly supports conservation. In fact, we often suggest the outdoor tourism industry is synonymous with conservation as, without it, the industry would crumble. However, we oppose the creation of a National Park which proposes to hand over 18,500 square km of provincial crown land to the Federal government and include Canada in the management board for the entire SRW. 2025 saw one of the worst wildfire years on record which drew resources from every corner of the province and country. The Federal government's history of land and wildfire management does not bode well for Manitobans, particularly in an area as remote as the SRW.
There are also examples across Canada where similar protected area models have faced challenges related to governance and long-term management outcomes. These experiences highlight the importance of ensuring that any new model is supported by clear accountability, adequate resources, and region-specific expertise particularly in remote areas such as the SRW.
The proposal of a 10-year phase-out of outfitting and licensed hunting under the Canada National Parks Act eliminates dollars that go directly from licensed hunting sales to conservation and removes long-standing public access for only licensed hunters while still allowing First Nations hunting.
Management board
The proposal to designate management authority of the entire SRW to a single management board that oversees the proposed National and provincial parks raises significant concerns, particularly without clarity regarding the composition, respective authority and dispute process. The MLOA firmly opposes the Federal government having input over decisions related to provincial land use and access as well as regulatory decisions that directly affect the health and longevity of the outfitting industry including allocating tags, setting season dates and enforcing regulations.
Given that this model is likely to set a precedent for future IPCA’s in Manitoba, it is critical that governance structures do not place the province in a position that compromises its authority over Crown Land.
The MLOA strongly upholds that should any management board be established, outfitters and licensed hunters and anglers must have meaningful representation on that board as a direct voice to government.
Provincial Park designations
The new Provincial Park is proposed to be classified as an Indigenous Traditional Use Park, with four sub-designations including wilderness, backcountry, access/winter road, and Indigenous Heritage. The MLOA has raised the question about how these designations may affect access to these areas within the Provincial park and is continuing to pursue clarity on this.
SRW boundaries
The MLOA has concerns regarding the scientific data used to create the proposed SRW boundaries, specifically whether done utilizing provincial topographic databases or lidar drone scan. The latter is considered more accurate and would be the more prudent method to ensure the boundary follows natural water drainage which is more visible from land and air. Furthermore, the MLOA has significant concerns about the proximity of the proposed boundaries to established outcamps and allocated operating areas effectively leaving these operations vulnerable.
The MLOA supports responsible, meaningful conservation and recognizes the importance of protecting the ecological integrity of the Seal River Watershed. However, this must be achieved through a balanced approach that respects existing operators, maintains sustainable economic contributors, and ensures Manitoba retains authority over its lands and resources.
As the first IPCA of its kind in the province, this proposal will help shape future land-use and conservation decisions across Manitoba. It is critical that it is done thoughtfully, transparently, and with meaningful input from those directly affected.
The MLOA encourages all Manitobans to review the proposal in full and provide informed feedback through the public consultation process.
Contact
Manitoba Lodges & Outfitters Association
204-447-7727
