The former mayor of Burgeo calls a national marine conservation area proposed for the waters and shoreline near the community a “big deal” and she believes the current council and community leaders need to be mindful of what “doors they close” in future.

Sue-Ann Peckford Spencer says the marine restrictions will not bring the economic development that Burgeo needs.

An MOU between the federal government, provincial government, town of Burgeo and the Miawpukek and Qalipu first nations on working together on the feasibility of creating a conservation area taking in the South Coast Fjords area of the southwest coast was signed back in June of 2023.

It includes the possible redesignation of the Sandbanks Provincial Park as a national park, something Peckford Spencer says is a concern.

She believes a national park designation will mean a lot more restrictions on activities at Sandbanks which lies in the town. She says residents have 24/7 year-round access to the park for activities like berry picking and fires on the beach and she’s afraid that could be curtailed.

She says there is potential for rare earth mining off the Burgeo Highway, and she has already raised concerns about the possibility that a marine protected area may hinder transshipment opportunities.