Canada – Parks Canada and partners take first step toward creating a national urban park in Edmonton

Mar 15, 2022 | International

A national urban park in the Edmonton region would promote access to green spaces and nature.

A national urban park in the Edmonton region would promote access to green spaces and nature

March 14, 2022                             Edmonton, Alberta                  Parks Canada Agency

As Canadians, we know that green spaces in and around our cities are good for our health, good for wildlife, and good for the environment.

Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, together with the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Mayor of the City of Edmonton, Chief Tony Alexis, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation and Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations representative, and Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta, announced the launch of the pre-feasibility phase to explore the creation of a national urban park in the Edmonton region.

Parks Canada and the City of Edmonton will work closely with Indigenous partners to ensure that a national urban park in the Edmonton region showcases Indigenous stewardship, voices and stories, and offers opportunities for connections to the land and water based on Indigenous Knowledge and values.

A national urban park in the Edmonton region would mean better access to quality green space for Edmontonians and promote better mental and physical wellbeing as people spend more time in nature. It would also create jobs, strengthen the local economy, and compliment the City of Edmonton’s tourism.

For nature, urban green spaces provide habitat for animals, including species at risk, and can serve as crucial corridors for wildlife. They are great examples of nature-based climate solutions, helping to cool cities and absorb rain water during extreme weather events. They can contribute to Canada’s climate change objectives by sequestering carbon, and to the Government of Canada’s commitment to conserve 25 per cent of its lands and waters by 2025, working toward 30 percent by 2030.

The National Urban Parks Program, announced in August 2021, is the next step for Parks Canada whose history over 110 years has provided Canadians a system of national parks, including Rouge National Urban Park, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. 

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“I am delighted to see that a national urban park in the Edmonton region is in the works. The river valley is a source of pride and inspiration for Edmontonians and Albertans. Green spaces such as this provide us with ready access to nature and all of the health benefits that come from being outdoors. Urban parks boost the municipal economy, generate tourism and employment opportunities, increase biodiversity and help mitigate the effects of the changing climate. Sharing this amazing space with Canadians makes great sense.”

The Honourable Randy Boissonnault,

Minister of Tourism

“Edmontonians are united by our love of nature and getting outside. Being close to natural spaces increases wellbeing and connection. We are so lucky to have an incredible amount of green space across our city including the largest continuous area of urban parkland in the country. I am looking forward to partnering with Parks Canada, the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, and the Métis Nation of Alberta to continue our long-standing stewardship of this land for all to enjoy.”

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi,

Mayor, City of Edmonton

“The Government of Canada is proud to work with partners like the City of Edmonton to create a network of national urban parks and ensure all Canadians have access to green spaces wherever they live, work and play. In addition to supporting better mental wellbeing and equity in urban areas, expanding nature access and protection in our urban spaces is also critical in the fight against biodiversity loss and climate change.”

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault,

Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

“Indigenous Peoples have a deep connection to the land so I am grateful for this development. Having a National Urban Park in Treaty 6 Territory would not only provide space for connecting to the Land, but would also provide opportunities for healing and cultural celebration for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. This is a step in the right direction towards Reconciliation.”

Chief Tony Alexis,

Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations Representative

“The Métis Nation of Alberta is pleased to be involved in the early stages of Parks Canada’s National Urban Parks Program and looks forward to continued collaboration on this initiative. This program represents an important opportunity to develop green spaces that focus on preserving the natural habitats that exist around us all. An opportunity for growing partnerships with Canada, Alberta, and the City of Edmonton and for exploring new and innovative ways to protect, share, and appreciate the land and to celebrate the rich history, culture, and connection the Métis people have to the Edmonton area.”

Audrey Poitras,

President, Métis Nation of Alberta

The vast network of protected areas administered by Parks Canada is a gateway to nature, history, and 450 000 km² of memories from coast to coast to coast.

New national urban parks will be managed under a range of flexible governance models, including federally administered places, third party administered places, and various partnership approaches. 

In January 2022, Parks Canada Agency and the City of Edmonton signed a Statement of Collaboration to indicate their mutual interest in conducting a dialogue around the creation of a new national urban park in the Edmonton region.

Both Parks Canada and the City of Edmonton hope to work, through this collaboration, in close partnership with the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations and the Métis Nation of Alberta, other significant regional land holders, and local stakeholders.

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

Kaitlin Power

Press Secretary   

Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

819-230-1557

kaitlin.power@ec.gc.ca

Canada – Parks Canada and the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq leadership to make an important announcement on the proposed National Park Reserve in Pituamkek (Hog Island and the Sandhills)

Jan 18, 2022 | International

Parks Canada and the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq leadership to make an important announcement on the proposed National Park Reserve in Pituamkek (Hog Island and the Sandhills)

January 17, 2022                             Lennox Island, (PE)                         Parks Canada

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada and Robert J. Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, will join the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq leadership, Chief Darlene Bernard, Lennox Island First Nation and Chief Junior Gould, Abegweit First Nation to make an important announcement on the proposed National Park Reserve in Pituamkek (Hog Island and the Sandhills).

A livestream will be accessible for those interested in watching the event.

Members of the media can RSVP to the moderated call and receive access to the live webcast and a Google Drive with visual content by contacting the Parks Canada media relations team at pc.media@pc.gc.ca

Please note that this advisory is subject to change without notice.

The details are as follows:

Date:              January 19, 2022

Time:             11 a.m. (AST)

Location:      Virtual

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Information and registration: 

Media Relations

Parks Canada Agency 

Toll-free National Media Line 1-855-862-1812

pc.media@pc.gc.ca

Canada – Parks Canada announces Advisory Committee for Rouge National Urban Park

Aug 9, 2021 | International

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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“Today’s announcement signals that public engagement and collaboration continue to be key elements in shaping the future direction of Rouge National Urban Park. The breadth and diversity of the knowledge, experience and interests demonstrated by the park’s newly chosen Advisory Committee will ensure that the Rouge becomes a model for how urban parks can be essential places for conservation, recreation, learning and our mental and physical wellbeing.”

-Jonathan Wilkinson,

Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister Responsible for Parks Canada

“Rouge National Urban Park was created by an inspirational citizen’s movement resulting in the first park of its kind in Canada. I am excited that an exceptionally talented group of people have stepped forward and been appointed to the Advisory Board. As Chair, we will benefit from Janet Sumner’s visionary leadership and strident determination to protect nature and connect it to all Canadians. As Parks Canada embarks on developing a series of urban national parks, the Rouge will serve as the model and standard bearer for urban park management and it will do so with an extraordinary group of Canadians we have appointed to the Advisory Committee today.”

Gary Anandasangaree,

Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Rouge Park and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

At nearly 80 km2 in size, Rouge National Urban Park is among the largest urban parks in the world and Canada’s first urban national park.

A rich assembly of natural, cultural and agricultural landscapes, Rouge National Urban Park is home to nearly 2,000 species of plants and animals, some of the last remaining working farms in the Greater Toronto Area, and human history dating back over 10,000 years, including some of Canada’s oldest known Indigenous sites.

To ensure more Canadians have access to nature in urban areas, Budget 2021 included an investment of $130.9 million to establish a network of national urban parks. Earlier this week, the Government announced that it has signed statements of collaboration with the Meewasin Valley Authority (SK), the municipalities of Winnipeg (MB), Halifax (NS) and Windsor (ON), and that it is working with others to identify potential urban park sites at various locations, including the greater Edmonton area (AB), Colwood (BC) and Montreal (QC).

Joanna Sivasankaran

Press Secretary   

Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

819-790-1907

Joanna.sivasankaran@ec.gc.ca