The Editor,

I attended the meeting in Masham when the Ministere des Transports du Quebec official explained the future A5 extension to Wakefield. Many participants referred to Gatineau Park as a “National Park.” However, it is NOT a “National Park”. In fact, it is not even a park - except in name. It is the only federal land, used as a park, without legislated protection.

The Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society, Ottawa Valley Chapter (CPAWS-OV) has spent many years asking the government to protect the park through legislation. Several bills have been introduced, but none passed due to frequent elections, prorogations and lack of interest by local MPs (Paul Dewar excepted).

Last year John Baird (Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities) and Lawrence Cannon (Minister of Foreign Affairs) introduced Bill C-37 - An Act to Amend the National Capital Act - but this died with the prorogation of December 2009.

We then recommended its reintroduction, but with amendments. However, the new bill — C-20 - is a carbon copy of Bill C-37, so protection is weak and the NCC will have the power to sell parkland even with legislated boundaries.

Gatineau Park was intended to be Canada’s first National Park and we have advocated this status, particularly since the Chief Executive Officer of the NCC has assured us the Commission could manage the park to these standards. We cannot understand why the ministers are unwilling to propose legislation to enshrine management practices that the NCC itself considers possible.

CPAWS-OV’s amendments state the legislation should include clear and effective provisions, in order:

1. To establish Gatineau Park in legislation and dedicate it to future generations.

1. To ensure it is managed primarily for its ecological integrity.
2. Give the NCC the right of first refusal on the sale of private property located inside Gatineau park.

1. To stipulate that changes to Gatineau Park boundaries can only be made by statute, as is the case for Canada’s national parks.

These are not outlandish amendments, yet the committee refused to accept any, mainly because of petty, political behaviour.

It appears much misinformation exists. Please visit our website for more information: www.cpaws-ov-vo.org.

Also, consider writing your MP (Hon. Lawrence Cannon) and the Minister responsible for the NCC (Hon. John Baird) at: House of Commons, Ottawa, Ont, K1A 0A6, urging amendments to Bill C-20 to grant better protection to Gatineau Park. With enough letters, Mr. Baird might reconsider his position on amending Bill C-20.

Muriel How

Chelsea, Quebec

The writer is Chair of the Gatineau Park Committee, CPAWS-OV.

Tagged as: chelsea quebec, Gatineau Park, wakefield