GPPC Accuses NCC of Misleading Parliament
The Gatineau Park Protection Committee has issued another press release castigating the NCC over representations made to the Commons Transport Committee currently considering Bill C-37.
In the release and an accompanying backgrounder the GPPC goes into some detail as to the legal and historical reasons for their claims.
Parkway Closures Thrill for Some, Frustrating for Others
Last Thursday night, when the parkways of Gatineau Park were closed to vehicular traffic for the season, some people rejoiced; others were frustrated.
The happy crowd included skiers, roller-skiers, and road-cyclists.
The unhappy were those who hadn't realized about the closures and had planned an outing in the park, only to be turned away. Some tweeted their frustrations.
One reported consequence of the parkway closures are wildlife sightings.
Gatineau Park Protection Committee Calls for Stronger C-37
Little news has emerged on the committee discussions on Bill C-37 since John Baird's comments of a week ago, but yesterday Andrew McDermott, co-chair of the Gatineau Park Protection Committee released a press release saying the Bill must be amended to strengthen it against development.
Parkway Night-time Dangers
As reported at TriRudy a lack of car traffic on the parkways in Gatineau Park has emboldened some human powered park users to speed without lights.
Night-time roller-ski/bike accidents were a near miss.
Friends of Gatineau Park AGM
Today's Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Gatineau Park included three fascinating presentations:
- André Martel of the Canadian Nature Museum talked about mollusks in Gatineau Park and the Ottawa River valley.
- Shelia Thomson, long time park lover and defender of Gatineau Park talked about her personal experiences skiing in the park starting in 1931.
- Duncan Marshall of Marshall Maruska Aerial Images gave a presentation of Gatineau Park from above.
GuideGatineau will carry more information about their presentations in the weeks to come.
In addition, the date of a Friends of Gatineau Park Research Forum was confirmed as November 14, 2009 (more on this too in the coming days).
Green Transportation Plan Consultations
The NCC has just invited people to participate in its review of traffic issues in Gatineau Park.
The NCC questionnaire will be open for public input until January 15, 2010. This input will be used during the Transportation Plan assessment phase which will lead to traffic management options being developed next summer, including further public consultation.
The preferred option will be determined over the winter of 2010/2011.
Gatineau Park Parkway Network Closed to Motorists for the Season
NCC Press Release issued October 22, 2009:
Canada’s Capital Region - The National Capital Commission (NCC) would like to advise motorists that due to inclement weather in the forecast, the Gatineau Park Parkway Network (Gatineau, Champlain, and Fortune Parkways) will close for the season tonight at 7pm.
The NCC wishes to remind the public that Philippe Lake and La Pêche Lake sectors in Gatineau Park are also closed to motorists for the season.
During the winter season, Gatineau Park’s Parkways are converted into cross-country ski trails. Some 30 kilometres of roads offer magnificent scenery and some of the best ski conditions in North America.
Jo-Anne Holden at her photoblog Musician on Skis posted visual proof.
(News came a little slowly to GuideGatineau because gmail thought the NCC press release was spam.)
Gatineau Park Parkways Close for Season
The NCC is reported by both CBC Radio and Ottawa City and Press to have closed the parkways in Gatineau Park for the season.
This means that car traffic is no longer permitted until after spring thaw. Human powered traffic is still permitted however. When snow does begin to accumulate, cross country ski grooming will begin, at which time other forms of non-ski traffic should be avoided.
No-Expropriation Traction
The newsworthiness of John Baird's comments that the NCC should no longer have the power to expropriate private properties continues to get traction with a post from the LowDownOnline (Low Down to Hull and back News).
Their headline contains a question mark since the result of discussion on Bill C-37 has not yet emerged. At one point Right of First Refusal was floated but there have been few details since.
Average Weather this Winter?
Brett Anderson's Canadian Weather Blog at AccuWeather.com predicts normal temperatures and non-snow precipitation for this winter in Gatineau Park, but the Park appears to be on the edge of his map showing slightly lower than normal snowfall. Skiers hope he's wrong!