The Manitoba and Ontario governments say they will keep going with their push for a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At its annual meeting in Cambodia, UNESCO's world heritage committee deferred a decision on the large stretch of Boreal forest along the inter-provincial boundary.
The committee has asked Canada to refine its submission.
UNESCO advisory groups have raised questions about whether the area is unique enough to warrant a world heritage site designation.
It will be at least another year before the committee makes a decision.