FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2023
VICTORY: MASSE’S BILL C-248 TO CREATE OJIBWAY NATIONAL URBAN PARK PASSES THIRD READING IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND MOVES ON TO THE SENATE
Bill C-248 achieved unanimous support from all parties in the House of Commons
(OTTAWA) – Today, Brian Masse’s MP (Windsor West), private members’ bill C-248 to establish Ojibway National Urban Park (ONUP) passed third reading vote with 319 in favour and 1 against in the House of Commons (HOC). Third reading is the final step in the HOC in the legislative process for a bill. It now goes on to the Senate.
“The bill to establish ONUP is the culmination of years, if not decades, of work by many residents of this region fighting to protect one of the most unique ecosystems in the country. Today, is another step in the legislative process. With all parties supporting the bill in the House, hopefully this will speed up action in the Senate, where I have already reached out to all members of the Senate Environment committee. Since the bill was introduced, Ojibway Shores was transferred to Parks Canada, the Province of Ontario has agreed to transfer the Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve to Parks Canada, and co-management negotiations have begun with the Indigenous community. As the bill progresses through the Senate, Parks Canada needs to finalize the transfer agreements with the City and the Province, conclude the co-management agreements with Caldwell First Nation and Walpole Island First Nation, and complete the parks management plan. All of this has to be done before the Gordie Howe Bridge opens.” stated Masse.
The proposed ONUP would include Ojibway Park, Spring Garden Natural Area, Black Oak Heritage Park, the Tallgrass Prairie Park, Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve, and Ojibway Shores, a vital 33-acre greenspace and the last remaining, undeveloped natural shoreline in Windsor-Detroit. It is home to hundreds of endangered species that rely on migration through surrounding local parks for survival. If connected, this area of approximately 900 acres, including the Detroit River could become one of North America`s treasures. It serves not only as a home and larger ecosystem to these species, but also provides mitigation of flooding due to climate change and natural heritage areas that our community can enjoy, appreciate, and use for healthy living space and ecotourism.
On August 27, 2019, a townhall was held in Windsor where the idea of ONUP was formally discussed by many local, national, and international organizations, and many individual citizens. Over the past three years a consensus has developed for all these publicly owned properties, parks, and preserves be combined into a National Urban Park. The results have been that Caldwell First Nation and all Windsor municipal, provincial, and federal officials have committed to this.
On June 8th of this year in a vote of 169 for the bill and 147 against C-248 passed second reading in the HOC. The bill had the support of the Bloc, Green Party, Conservative party, the NDP, and two liberal MPs. On October 28th, at HOC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee Caldwell First Nation, the City of Windsor, Wildlands League, and Friends of Ojibway testified in favour of the bill. The vote to pass the bill at committee was 6 to 5 with the NDP, Conservatives, Bloc MPs voting in favour and all the Liberal members voting against.
“This is an essential step in making this park a reality, I want to thank my colleagues for their support. All those years of work by so many people across this city and country brought this about. Now on to the Senate to finish the job,” Masse stated.
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For more information contact Mohummed Peer 519-982-8816.
FROM: www.ndp.ca
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2023
Protecting essential greenspace, NDP MP Masse bill to create Ojibway National Park passes in the House of Commons with all party support
(OTTAWA) – On Wednesday, NDP MP Brian Masse’s (Windsor West) private members’ bill C-248 to establish Ojibway National Urban Park (ONUP) passed third reading vote – clearing the final hurdle in the House of Commons. The bill now needs to pass in the Senate before becoming law. The national park would protect vital greenspace in the Windsor area, including the last remaining undeveloped natural shoreline in Windsor-Detroit, help mitigate the effects of climate change and provide a public space for all Canadians to enjoy.
“The bill to establish ONUP is the culmination of years, if not decades, of work by many residents of this region fighting to protect one of the most unique ecosystems in the country,” said Masse.
The proposed ONUP would include Ojibway Park, Spring Garden Natural Area, Black Oak Heritage Park, Tallgrass Prairie Park, Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve, and Ojibway Shores. It is home to hundreds of endangered species that rely on migration through surrounding local parks for survival, making it crucial to protect the land.
“This park area of approximately 900 acres, including the Detroit River, could become one of North America`s treasures,” said Masse. “It serves not only as a home and larger ecosystem to these species but also provides mitigation of flooding due to climate change and natural heritage areas that our community can enjoy, appreciate, and use for healthy living space and ecotourism.
This is an essential step in making this park a reality, I want to thank my colleagues for their support. All those years of work by so many people across this city and country brought this about. Now on to the Senate to finish the job.”