FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2022
VICTORY: TRANSPORT CANADA FINALLY AGREES TO TRANSFER OJIBWAY SHORES FROM WINDSOR PORT AUTHORITY TO PARKS CANADA
ANOTHER MILESTONE ALONG THE WAY TO ESTABLISH OJIBWAY NATIONAL URBAN PARK IN THE LEAD UP TO JUNE VOTE ON THE BILL
(WINDSOR) – Today, Brian Masse MP (Windsor West), along with many residents of Windsor, in declaring victory over the Windsor Port Authority when the Minister of the Environment during Question Period announced that Transport Canada has signed an agreement with Parks Canada to transfer Ojibway Shores from the Windsor Port to Parks Canada as part of the process of creating Ojibway National Urban Park. This transfer of land is an action Masse has called for repeatedly for the past five years and is in the lead up to the vote on Masse’s bill C-248, to establish Ojibway National Urban Park.
“Today is a victory for all residents, the City of Windsor, and all the organization that have called for this land transfer to Parks Canada to happen. I have been advocating for this to many ministers of Transport and the Environment for five years. I even sent directions on how to do it to the Windsor Port Authority. The federal government has finally acknowledged what has been known for five years and should have been done long ago. City taxpayers should not pay twice for land they already own. This action, while needed and important, is just one more step in the process of establishing Ojibway National Urban Park. I assume this action was taken today since the House of Commons vote on my bill C-248 to create Ojibway NUP is on June 8,” Masse stated.
The proposed Ojibway National Urban Park (NUP) 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 Ojibway NUP, was formally discussed by many local, national, and international organizations, including grass roots groups such as Friends of Ojibway, Friends of the Rouge, the US Audubon society, the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge, the Wildlands League, scientists, former conservation workers, unions, former city parks directors, and many individual citizens. It is also supported by Caldwell First Nation.
Since Masse introduced the C-248 back in February, the City of Windsor has passed a unanimous council resolution to support the bill and to inform the federal government that it does, along with wanting to transfer all its lands to Parks Canada immediately. Caldwell First Nation has written a letter to all members of Parliament in support of Bill C-248 since it is Caldwell’s traditional territory. The Wildlands League, one Canada’s leading organizations with regards to nature protection and National Parks, has also written a letter to all MPs in support of C-248. (please follow the link to read all three letters along with a timeline and further information on Ojibway NUP https://www.brianmasse.ca/ojibway-shores/ )
“The bill to establish Ojibway National Park is the culmination of years if not decades or work by many residents of this region fighting to protect this unique ecosystem in one of the most heavily developed areas in the country. Since it is my 20th anniversary of being elected a member of parliament, my colleagues in the House of Commons can give our community, and the country, the best gift I could imagine by voting for bill C-248,” stated Masse.
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For more information contact Mohummed Peer 519-982-8816