Menu

Johanna Samu

About Johanna Samu

Posts by Johanna Samu:

Press Release: October 10 2024

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

October 10, 2024
Gatineau, Quebec

CPAWS-OV Celebrates Federal Initiative to Protect Gatineau Park with New Conservation Bill

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Ottawa Valley Chapter (CPAWS-OV) applauds the recent announcement by Member of Parliament Sophie Chatel and Senator Rosa Galvez regarding the intention to table a bill aimed at protecting Gatineau Park. This legislative initiative is a significant step forward in ensuring the long-term protection and management of one of the region’s most cherished Parks.
The main objective of the bill is to preserve the natural environment of Gatineau Park, promote cultural heritage, and provide the legislative tools for the effective management of activities in the Park.
Among the key elements of the bill are:

  • Public Use of the Park: Maintenance of the park will prioritize public benefit and protection of the park’s unique ecosystems
  • Management and Ecological Integrity: Priority will be given to preserving the ecological integrity of the park
  • Master Plan: A comprehensive master plan will be created to guide the park’s management and protection, with clear objectives and indicators. Public and Indigenous communities will be actively consulted in decision-making processes related to the park’s future.
  • Park Lands – Alienation and Use: The bill imposes restrictions on the alienation of public lands within the park and outlines strict procedures for land disposal, ensuring that park lands are not jeopardized for private or commercial purposes.

John McDonnell, Executive director at CPAWS-OV, stated, ” This bill is a momentous step towards protecting the natural beauty and ecological integrity of Gatineau Park. CPAWS-OV has long advocated for stronger legislative protections for the Park, and we are
thrilled to see the federal government taking action. By passing these protections into law, we ensure that Gatineau Park remains a safe haven for wildlife and that future generations will be able to continue to enjoy the park in all its glory.”

CPAWS-OV remains committed to working with all stakeholders, including local communities, Indigenous groups, and government bodies, to support the development and implementation of this important legislation.

For further information or inquiries, please contact:
Julia Clarke
Communications Manager, CPAWS-OV
ov-outreach@cpaws.org
www.cpaws-vo-ov.org
—
About CPAWS-OV:
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Ottawa Valley Chapter (CPAWS-OV) is a registered charity dedicated to protecting public lands and freshwater across the Ottawa Valley region. Through advocacy, education, and collaborative initiatives, CPAWS-OV works to ensure that these invaluable ecosystems remain preserved for future generations.

 

 

COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE
Pour publication immédiate

Le 10 octobre 2024
Gatineau, Québec

La SNAP-VO célèbre l’initiative fédérale visant à protéger le parc de la Gatineau grâce à un nouveau projet de loi sur la conservation.

La Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada – section de la vallée de l’Outaouais (SNAP-VO) se réjouit de l’annonce récente de la députée Sophie Chatel et de la sénatrice Rosa Galvez concernant l’intention de déposer un projet de loi visant à protéger le parc de la Gatineau. Cette initiative législative est un pas en avant important pour assurer la protection et la gestion à long terme de l’un des parcs les plus précieux de la région.

L’objectif principal du projet de loi est de préserver les milieux naturels du parc de la Gatineau, de promouvoir le patrimoine culturel et de fournir les outils législatifs nécessaires à la gestion efficace des activités dans le parc.
Les principaux éléments du projet de loi sont les suivants :

  • Utilisation du parc par le public : L’entretien du parc donnera la priorité au bénéfice du public et à la protection des écosystèmes uniques du parc.
  • Gestion et intégrité écologique : La priorité sera donnée à la préservation de l’intégrité écologique du parc.
  • Plan directeur : Un plan directeur global sera créé pour guider la gestion et la protection du parc, avec des objectifs et des icibles précises. Le public et les communautés autochtones seront activement consultés dans le cadre des processus décisionnels liés à l’avenir du parc.
  • Terres du parc – aliénation et utilisation : le projet de loi impose des restrictions sur l’aliénation des terres publiques situées dans le parc et définit des procédures strictes pour les changements de vocation des terrains, afin de garantir que les habitats naturels du parc ne soient pas menacés par des intérêts privés ou commerciaux.mises en péril à des fins privées ou commerciales.

John McDonnell, directeur général de la SNAP-VO, a déclaré : « Ce projet de loi constitue une étape importante dans la protection de la beauté naturelle et de l’intégrité écologique du parc de la Gatineau. La SNAP-VO plaide depuis longtemps en faveur de protections législatives plus solides pour le Parc, et nous sommes ravis de voir le gouvernement fédéral passer à l’action. En adoptant ces protections dans la loi, nous nous assurons que le parc de la Gatineau demeure un havre de paix pour la faune et que les générations futures pourront continuer à profiter du parc dans toute sa splendeur. ».

La SNAP-VO reste déterminée à travailler avec toutes les parties prenantes, y compris les communautés locales, les communautés autochtones et les organismes gouvernementaux, afin de soutenir l’élaboration et la mise en oeuvre de cette importante législation.

Pour de plus amples informations ou demandes de renseignements, veuillez contacter:
Julia Clarke
Gestionnaire de la communication, SNAP-VO
ov-outreach@cpaws.org
www.cpaws-vo-ov.org
—
À propos de la SNAP-VO :
La Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada – section de la vallée de l’Outaouais (SNAP-VO) est un organisme de bienfaisance enregistré qui se consacre à la protection des terres publiques et de l’eau douce dans toute la région de la vallée de l’Outaouais. Par le biais de la défense des droits, de l’éducation et d’initiatives de collaboration, la SNAP-VO s’efforce de veiller à ce que ces écosystèmes inestimables demeurent préservés pour les générations futures.

Environmental petitions – Ministerial Q&A

Environmental Petitions - Ministerial Q&A

Over the past year, our team has been working hard to collect signatures on our Federal environmental petitions for the National Capital Greenbelt and the Gatineau Park, seeking National Urban Park status to ensure the protection of these Parks for generations to come. Once the required amount of signatures have been collected, we can then submit the petition to the house of commons through a member of parliament. You may have seen that we recently had our Gatineau Park petition submitted before the House of Commons by Pontiac MP Sophie Chatel.

Submission of our Gatineau Park petition before the House of Commons by MP Sophie Chatel

In addition, CPAWS-OV submitted questions to the House of Commons regarding these petitions. Here, we would like to share with you our questions and the responses we received as a way to share insights into our work with our supporters.  

Questions: 

Question 1: For the Minister of Environment and Climate Change in his capacity as Minister responsible for Environment and Climate Change, and Minister responsible for Parks Canada:

Given the fact that the National Capital Greenbelt meets all the criteria for National Urban Park designation, when will the legislation be tabled in Parliament to establish a NUP for the National Capital Region that includes this Greenbelt? 

Response: 

The 2021 federal budget committed to the creation of up to six national urban parks, and Parks Canada has begun work at candidate sites. Collaborative work is under way in Greater Victoria, British Columbia; the Edmonton region, Alberta; the Saskatoon region, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Windsor, Ontario; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Parks Canada is also in exploratory conversations in Montréal, Quebec. Parks Canada is presently focused on advancing those candidate sites. The December 2021 mandate letter for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change increased the program’s scope by committing to create up to 15 national urban parks by 2030.  
While Parks Canada is exploring opportunities for expanding this program, no decisions have been taken about new candidate sites for national urban parks. Parks Canada will share information about any program expansion once it is available.  

Officials from the National Capital Commission and Parks Canada have had initial discussions about exploring a possible national urban park in Ottawa. While officials have had preliminary conversations in that regard, these are only exploratory at this point. No decision has been made to pursue a national urban park in Ottawa, and Parks Canada has not signed a statement of collaboration to work with the National Capital Commission or any other partner.  

Question 2: For the Minister of Public Services and Procurement in his capacity as Minister response for the National Capital Commission:

Will the Minister support having the National Capital Greenbelt designated as a NUP and what steps will the Minister undertake to provide the assistance required to achieve an NUP?  If not, why not? 

Response:  
The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening the protection of green spaces, wetlands and environments with biodiversity value in the National Capital Region. In alignment with this federal priority, the National Capital Commission (NCC) strives to ensure a more sustainable ecological footprint through the protection and conservation of the region’s green spaces, including the National Capital Greenbelt. 

The role of the NCC, as defined by the National Capital Act, is “to prepare plans for and assist in the development, conservation and improvement of the National Capital Region in order that the nature and character of the seat of the Government of Canada may be in accordance with its national significance.” The corporation fulfills this role through its responsibilities to set the long-term planning direction for federal lands in the National Capital Region, regulate the use and development of federal lands in the National Capital Region, as well as manage, conserve and protect the NCC’s cultural and natural assets. 

Officials from the NCC and Parks Canada have had initial discussions about exploring a possible national urban park in Ottawa. While officials have had preliminary conversations regarding the possibility of a national urban park in Ottawa, these are only exploratory at this point. No decision has been made to pursue a national urban park in Ottawa and Parks Canada has not signed a statement of collaboration to work with the NCC or any other partner. The Government of Canada continues to explore different ways to champion environmental sustainability, climate resilience, conservation and the protection of the National Capital Greenbelt and other greenspaces in the National Capital Region for the lasting enjoyment of future generations of Canadians. 

Question 3: For the Minister of Public Services and Procurement in his capacity as Minister response for the National Capital Commission and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change in his capacity as Minister responsible for Environment and Climate Change, and Minister responsible for Parks Canada:  

When will the boundaries of the National Capital Greenbelt be confirmed?  

Response:  

The Government of Canada and the National Capital Commission (NCC) recognize the importance of ensuring that natural and cultural resources are promoted and protected for current and future generations. In support of the commitment to conserve nature and connect people with greenspaces across the National Capital Region, the Government of Canada will explore ways to minimize the pressures of urban development and externalities from other land uses in the National Capital Greenbelt. 

The protection and conservation of this ecologically diverse greenspace is vital to ensuring its health and sustained access for residents and visitors of the National Capital Region. 



Sign Up

By subscribing to CPAWS action and alerts, you will receive communications regarding our conservation campaigns, general CPAWS news updates, as well as contests and other promotions.

Subscribe Now!

Quick Links

Jobs
Volunteer
Privacy Policy
Copyright

Contact Us

CPAWS Ottawa Valley
365-A, boulevard St-Joseph, Suite 102,
Gatineau (Québec)
J8Y 3Z6
(Google maps)

Phone: (613) 569-7226 ext 232
Fax: (613) 569-7098

CPAWS is a registered charity, #10686 5272 RR0001