In spring 2009, a proposal for a Sable Island Research Fund was sent to the Minister of Environment Jim Prentice. The cover letter was signed by 35 individuals—university researchers, representatives of various NGOs, members of the business, media, and arts communities, and past members of the board of directors of the Sable Island Preservation Trust (SIPT).

Although Environment Canada has not yet acted on this recommendation, there continues to be broad-based community support for the proposed Sable Island Research Fund.

There is also continuing concern and community dissension about the role of the SIPT, a member organization of the federal government’s Atlantic Canada Action Plan (ACAP) program. The government funding received by the SIPT— more than $80,000 annually in essentially guaranteed core and project support—is provided to the SIPT because it is an ACAP organization, rather than on the basis of productivity and effectiveness.

Sable Island and the community would be far better served by a fair and equitable funding program. Environment Canada already administers a number of funding programs in support of particular conservation and stewardship objectives. Examples are the Environmental Damages Fund, the Habitat Stewardship Program, and the EcoAction Community Funding Program. Eligibility for these and similar programs ranges from only non-profit organizations, to businesses, communities, individuals, and non-federal government agencies.

The proposed Sable Island Research Fund would consider applications for project support from any relevant organizations, including the SIPT. However, unlike the present ACAP system, the distribution of funding would be open and merit-based, ensuring that the most credible, effective and quality programs would be supported.

The cover letter to the Minister of Environment, and signatories

The Sable Island Research Fund proposal