Bill S-14

Protecting Canada’s Natural Wonders Act

An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act, the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act, the Rouge National Urban Park Act and the National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations

This enactment amends the Canada National Parks Act to, among other things,
(a) broaden and clarify offences in relation to the discharge or deposit of substances in a national park or national park reserve;
(b) expand the boundaries of seven national parks and one national park reserve;
(c) establish the Akami-Uapishkᵁ–KakKasuak–Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve of Canada and enact provisions for its operation and administration; and
(d) change the name of “Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve of Canada” to “Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site”.
The enactment also amends the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act to establish the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area and the Rouge National Urban Park Act to broaden and clarify offences in relation to the discharge or deposit of substances in that Park and makes consequential amendments to the National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations .

Protecting Canada’s Natural Wonders Act

[Gudie Hutchings, Liberal, Long Range Mountains, NL]

moved that Bill S-14, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act, the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act, the Rouge National Urban Park Act and the National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations, be read the first time.

(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)

Message from the Senate

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I have the honour to inform the House that messages have been received from the Senate informing the House that the Senate has passed the following bills, to which the concurrence of the House is desired: Bill S-13, an act to amend the Interpretation Act and to make related amendments to other acts, and Bill S-14, an act to amend the Canada National Parks Act, the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act, the Rouge National Urban Park Act and the National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations.

Canadian Heritage

[Chris Bittle, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for his advocacy for Parks Canada all these years.

Yesterday our government introduced Bill S-14, the protecting Canada’s natural wonders act. This bill would ensure that, along with its partners, Parks Canada has the authorities and tools to protect these lands for current and future generations. This represents an increase of more than 12 million hectares protected under legislation, which is a land mass slightly smaller than the combined area of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

I hope all parliamentarians can work together to ensure the passage of this important piece of legislation.