CPAWS Reacts to C-20

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Ottawa Valley Chapter today issued a press release in response to the recently reintroduced Act to amend the National Capital Act (previously known as C-37 and now, in it’s reincarnation known as C-20). This is the Bill which includes elements aimed specifically at Gatineau Park.

CPAWS expressed it’s disappointment that C-20 isn’t very much different than C-37 was and claims:

This bill doesn’t give Gatineau Park formal, legal status as a park, nor does it give adequate protection to its boundaries, ecological integrity or territory.

They go on to suggest specific amendments that they believe will achieve their stated goals of:

1. Establish Gatineau Park in legislation and dedicate it to future generations;
2. Ensure that it be managed primarily for its ecological integrity;
3. Give the National Capital Commission right of first refusal on the sale of private property located inside Gatineau Park;
4. Stipulate that changes to Gatineau Park boundaries can only be made by statute, as is the case for Canada’s national parks.