Poll: New Brunswickers want more protections for nature

TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF WABANAKI PEOPLES/FREDERICTON, N.B. – A full two-thirds of New Brunswickers want the next provincial government to set new targets for protected areas to help Canada meets is 30×30 protected area targets. The results come from a bilingual survey conducted earlier this month of 400 New Brunswickers on behalf of the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – New Brunswick Chapter (CPAWS-NB).

“Heading into the New Brunswick Day long weekend, and on the eve of a provincial election, it’s clear that people are united in their love for nature and want more of it protected,” said Roberta Clowater, executive director of CPAWS in N.B. “New Brunswickers expect provincial leaders to work with all levels of government and do even more to protect the rivers, forests, and coastal waters that support communities and wildlife.”

This is the third in a series of surveys on nature conducted by ASF and CPAWS-NB since 2020. Results have remained consistent over time and the most recent survey illustrates how broad support for wildlife and protected areas is in New Brunswick.

“When you look at our polling results, you see that nature protection is consistently supported across all demographics for New Brunswickers. Whether they are young voters or older citizens, French or English speaking, as one voice, they come together, overwhelmingly, in favour of more protection,” added Clowater.

With more than 60,000 kilometres of rivers and streams and over 2,500 lakes, New Brunswick provides ample opportunities for canoeing, swimming, and angling. The survey shows that people are deeply connected to fish, with 81% of respondents saying it is important to protect habitat for cold-water species like trout and salmon.

“New Brunswick’s waterways are under pressure from deforestation, climate change, and other threats. The best way to keep water cold, clean, and healthy for fish is by protecting the most important places in our watersheds,” said Kristen Noel, communications director for the Atlantic Salmon Federation. “Forests, rivers, and fish are interconnected.”

Canada’s 30×30 targets are a Canada-wide commitment to protect 30% of land and freshwater, and 30% of the country’s territorial seas by 2030. There are processes underway to add significant new coastal protections in the Bay of Fundy, something the survey shows New Brunswickers want.

Eighty nine percent of respondents believe the health of coastal nature is important, especially to protect us from storms and tidal surges, and help wildlife.

To view detailed survey results, click here.

For interviews in French and English please contact Kristen Noel

902-499-1801 or knoel@asf.ca