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Parks Canada announces Advisory Committee for Rouge National Urban Park


August 6, 2021                              Toronto, ON                          Parks Canada Agency

Urban parks help protect biodiversity, support climate resilience, connect people to nature, improve mental health and wellness, and increase social inclusion. Located within a one hour’s drive of 20 per cent of Canada’s population and accessible by public transit, Rouge National Urban Park provides unprecedented opportunities for Canadians to connect with nature.

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced the members of the Minister’s Multi-Stakeholder and Public Advisory Committee for Rouge National Urban Park.

The Advisory Committee is established to provide recommendations, knowledge, guidance and wisdom to the Minister regarding the responsible management of the park and the implementation of its Management Plan. The committee also provides a forum for ongoing collaboration and strong relationships between Parks Canada and Indigenous and other partners, local governments and jurisdictions, and the public.

The Advisory Committee includes members from the Rouge National Urban Park First Nations Advisory Circle, the City of Toronto, the City of Markham, the City of Pickering, the Regional Municipality of York, the Regional Municipality of Durham, the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, the Township of Uxbridge, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and the Province of Ontario.

The Committee’s six public members have been confirmed as: Dr. Marc Cadotte, Kim Empringham, Sumaira Munir, Larry Noonan, Janet Sumner (chair), and Mark Yearwood. Each member will serve a four-year term and represents a plurality of communities, interests and knowledge areas including park ecology and restoration, species at risk, Indigenous perspectives, agricultural heritage, nature-based education, volunteerism, conservation, cultural heritage, and diversity and equity.

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Government of Canada working with the city of Windsor to explore the potential of a national urban park in Windsor


Collaboration has started on the potential of a national urban park in the Ojibway Prairie Complex

August 9, 2021                               Windsor, Ontario                             Parks Canada Agency

In Canada and around the world, there is growing awareness of the importance of urban parks as essential places for conservation, recreation, learning, and mental and physical wellbeing.

Following an announcement on August 4th by the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, to launch a new program to support the creation of a network of national urban parks, the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, joined Drew Dilkens, Mayor of Windsor, in Windsor, Ontario, to announce the signing of another statement of collaboration to explore the potential of a national urban park in the area.

A national urban park in Windsor would be readily accessible to citizens and provide opportunities to connect to, and learn about, local nature and culture. The proposed site for the potential national urban park includes lands within the Ojibway Prairie Complex. Parks Canada and the City of Windsor will also consider the possibilities for including adjacent properties within the boundary for the proposed park.                                                                                                           

Protecting and expanding Canadians’ access to nature is a priority for the Government of Canada. The 2021 Budget made a historic investment of $2.3 billion over five years in Canada’s Nature Legacy to address the biodiversity crisis, protect and conserve nature, and create jobs in nature conservation and management. The National Urban Parks Program will contribute to Canada’s commitment to protect biodiversity and conserve 25 percent of land and inland waters and 25 percent of marine and coastal areas by 2025, working toward 30 percent by 2030.

The network of national urban parks will include areas managed under a range of flexible governance models, including federally administered places, third party administered places, and partnership models.

Parks Canada is committed to work closely with Indigenous partners to ensure national urban parks provide space for Indigenous stewardship, promote Indigenous voices and stories, and offer opportunities for connections to lands and waters based on Indigenous knowledge and values.

In addition to the city of Windsor, Parks Canada has signed statements of collaboration with the Meewasin Valley Authority and the municipalities of Winnipeg (MB) and Halifax (NS), and is working with others to identify potential urban park sites at various locations, including the greater Edmonton area (AB), Colwood (BC) and Montreal (QC). 

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Government of Canada and Mushkegowuk Council working together to protect western James Bay


Memorandum of Understanding signed to launch a feasibility assessment for a proposed National Marine Conservation Area in western James Bay and southwestern Hudson Bay.

August 9, 2021                          Moose Factory, Ontario                  Parks Canada

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon, the elected leader of the Mushkegowuk Council, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch a feasibility assessment for a National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) in western James Bay and southwestern Hudson Bay. This is a vital next step in the process to safeguard Canada’s marine and coastal waters, and contributes to the Government of Canada’s commitment to protect biodiversity and conserve 25 percent of land and inland waters and 25 percent of marine and coastal areas by 2025, working toward 30 percent by 2030.

Both leaders began the day by acknowledging the tragedy and legacy of residential schools in Canada especially in light of recent findings of unmarked graves at several former residential school sites. The leaders acknowledged the pain and suffering of Indigenous people across Canada from residential schools.

The marine region covered by the MOU is over 90,000 square-kilometres, and encompasses an immense array of biodiversity. The coasts and waters are home to beluga whales, polar bears and other iconic Arctic and subarctic species. It is also an important global stopover for billions of migratory birds. This proposed marine area is adjacent to one of the largest stocks of carbon-rich peatlands in the world called the “breathing lands” by Elders. These ancient wetlands play a very important role in cooling the planet. The marine and peatland ecosystems support each other.

Enhancing the protection of marine ecosystems will not only help to conserve biodiversity, and assist with climate change mitigation, but also help maintain the culture, traditions, and well-being of Omushkego Cree communities, who have long been stewards of these lands and waters.

This MOU underlines the Government of Canada’s and the Mushkegowuk Council’s shared interest in protecting the ecological and cultural integrity of this globally significant ecosystem. By initiating a formal process to study the biodiversity, carbon, economic, and cultural values of this area, these two groups can come together to share and build a world-leading example of conservation driven by Indigenous peoples.

The MOU encourages discussion around conservation and the dual role of biodiversity and carbon in the protection of important places. It also promotes inclusivity for community groups in conservation planning and protected area forums.

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Government of Canada to hold a media availability on the Federal Court’s decision related to Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders


Ottawa, Ontario — Please be advised that the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada will hold a media availability on the Federal Court’s decision related to Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders.

Date: October 29, 2021
Time: 5:30 p.m. (EDT)

Where: Sir John A. Macdonald Building – Room 200
144 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario

The media availability will also be held by teleconference.

Toll-free (Canada/US) dial-in number: 1-866-206-0153
Local dial-in number: 613-954-9003
Passcode: 4814879#



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Planting in Forillon National Park as Part of Canada’s Two Billion Trees Commitment 


Taking care of Canada’s forests and protected places plays a key role in the fight against climate change.

August 9, 2021                            Forillon National Park              Parks Canada Agency

To clean the air, fight climate change, make our communities more resilient and protect biodiversity, Parks Canada is mobilizing to plant 150,000 trees in 2021 in up to 18 national parks from coast to coast to coast.

Today, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Member of Parliament for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Minister of National Revenue, along with Élisabeth Lacoursière, Parks Canada’s Gaspésie Field Unit Superintendent, announced that 15,000 trees will be planted in Forillon National Park by 2025.

These trees will be planted as part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to plant two billion trees, which is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 12 megatonnes annually by 2050, as well as create up to 4,300 jobs.

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Canada and the Parties will work together to reach a global resolution on compensation to First Nations children and long-term reform


Ottawa, Ontario (October 29, 2021) – the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services; the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; and the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, issued the following statement today:

“We have been unequivocal from the start: we will compensate those harmed by child and family services polices in order to mend past wrongs and lay the foundation for a more equitable and stronger future for First Nations children, their families and communities.

Today, the Government of Canada and the Parties, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and Assembly of First Nations, are announcing that we have agreed to sit down immediately and work towards reaching a global resolution by December 2021 on outstanding issues that have been the subject of litigation. This will include:

  • providing fair, equitable compensation to First Nations children on-reserve and in the Yukon who were removed from their homes by child and family services agencies, as well as those who were impacted by the government’s narrow definition of Jordan’s Principle,
  • achieving long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Service program, and 
  • funding for the purchase and/or construction of capital assets that support the delivery of child and family services on-reserve and Jordan’s Principle.

As we work to ensure that those who have been harmed are fairly compensated, we are also committing to significant investments to address long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services and will work with the parties to put in place an approach that best serves these children. We will also continue this work through the ongoing implementation of An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families, which affirms and recognizes their jurisdiction over child and family services.

In order to allow the Parties time to have meaningful discussions and to reach a lasting agreement, Canada, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and Assembly of First Nations have agreed to pause litigation on the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal decision. Providing the space to reach agreement on compensation and funding for future reforms will help us reach the best outcome. This means that while Canada filed what is known as a protective appeal of the Federal Court decision of September 29, 2021, the appeal will be on hold and the focus will be squarely on reaching an agreement outside of court and at the table.

As part of our collective responsibility to end discrimination against Indigenous Peoples, we must redress past harms. We will continue to work with our provincial and territorial partners, and all Canadians, to stand together to fight racism at every level, in every part of our society.

Indigenous children and youth are at the centre of what we do; our commitment to their health and well-being is an essential part of our journey towards reconciliation.

Our investments represent our significant commitment to make amends for past actions, but also to invest in a fairer, healthier future. Our country will be stronger for it.” 



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