Rules don’t go far enough for park: NDP

Published: June 10, 2009 5:50 a.m.

Last modified: June 09, 2009 10:16 p.m.

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Gatineau Park is finally getting a solid border.

The shape of the park has not changed in over a decade, but the land is not protected by federal legislation.

Yesterday, Transport Minister John Baird and Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon introduced legislation to amend the National Capital Act that would modernize the National Capital Commission and protect the boundaries of the park, among other changes.

“Our government is taking action to encourage the viability and transparency of the Commission, to protect Gatineau Park and to prepare this institution for the challenges and opportunities that are unfolding,” said Cannon.

The proposed changes affect the governance and land management of NCC with a focus on transparency and environmental stewardship.

NCC CEO Marie Lemay said the change is a step forward that confirmed many of the initiatives they’ve already undertaken.

For example, she said they already hold four public meetings per year, which is prescribed by the new amendments.

And the NCC recently unveiled an environmental policy that parallels the wording in the proposed amendments, she said.

Ottawa Centre MP Paul Dewar, the New Democrat critic for the NCC, welcomed the bill, but said it

still falls short of providing parliamentary protection against future encroachments and unsustainable developments in Gatineau Park.

Dwight Hodge, with NCC Watch called the amendments “minor tinkering.

“It doesn’t seem terribly important. I don’t think it’s a step in a bad direction,” he said. “They have to submit a plan once every 10 years. They are always working on plans. Holding it to a scheduling, I don’t think is significant at all.”

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