Bill C-248 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act (Ojibway National Urban Park of Canada)

This bill is from the 44th Parliament, 1st session, which ended in January 2025.

Sponsor

Brian Masse NDP

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

In committee (Senate), as of April 17, 2024
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment amends the Canada National Parks Act to establish Ojibway National Urban Park of Canada.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-248s:

C-248 (2020) An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (composition of boards of directors)

C-248 (2016) An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act and the Access to Information Act (transparency)

C-248 (2013) Emergency Services Appreciation Day Act

C-248 (2011) Emergency Services Appreciation Day Act

Votes

April 26, 2023 Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-248, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act (Ojibway National Urban Park of Canada)

June 8, 2022 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-248, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act (Ojibway National Urban Park of Canada)

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-248 seeks to amend the Canada National Parks Act to establish the Ojibway National Urban Park in Windsor, Ontario. The proposed park would combine existing publicly-owned lands to protect endangered ecosystems and species, aiming to create a natural urban space for recreation, tourism, and environmental preservation. The bill has garnered broad support from local communities, First Nations, and environmental groups.

NDP

Strong support for Bill C-248: The NDP strongly supports Bill C-248, which aims to establish the Ojibway national urban park in Windsor, Ontario. They thank members from the Conservative Party, the Bloc Québécois, the Green Party, and two Liberal members for their support.
Protecting endangered ecosystems: The NDP emphasizes that the bill would protect a unique and endangered ecosystem, home to nearly 200 rare and endangered species. The proposed park would combine public lands owned by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments.
Reconciliation with First Nations: The NDP highlights that establishing the park is an opportunity for reconciliation, with Caldwell First Nation being a key partner and co-manager of the proposed park. They emphasize the importance of working with First Nations and respecting their traditional territories.
Cross-party Collaboration: The NDP stresses the importance of cross-party collaboration and thanks members from other parties for their support. They express disappointment with the government's initial reluctance and delaying tactics, but welcome their eventual support.

Conservative

Bill needs more discipline: The Conservatives are urging the government to show more discipline and coordination between the public service and the government's political perspectives. They suggest that the government waited until the last minute to evaluate the bill.
Supports the bill: The Conservatives support the bill to create the Ojibway National Urban Park of Canada and see it as an example of cross-aisle collaboration that benefits local regions. They acknowledge that it brings opportunities for tourism, economic growth, and the health and mental health of people in Essex, Windsor, and Chatham-Kent-Leamington.
Importance of accessibility: They emphasize the importance of ensuring that major roads like Matchette Road and Malden Road remain open to allow residents to commute to work in the automotive sector without obstruction.
Focus on existing land: The bill will not affect private lands. This bill uses existing federal-provincial lands that already exist. All it is doing is taking the existing green space and bringing it all together, which is enormous.

Liberal

Support for Parks Canada process: The Liberal members expressed strong support for the Parks Canada process in establishing national urban parks like Ojibway. They emphasized the importance of following established protocols to ensure thorough consultation with various stakeholders, including indigenous communities, provincial and national governments, community members, and environmentalists.
Importance of consultation: Multiple speakers highlighted the necessity of comprehensive consultation with Parks Canada, the City of Windsor, indigenous communities, and the Province of Ontario. There was concern that the bill may not adequately ensure a consultation process equivalent to what Parks Canada would provide through their established procedures.
Ojibway as a valuable park: Members acknowledged the unique value of Ojibway as a national urban park, emphasizing its biodiversity and rare Carolinian forest and tall-grass prairie. They lauded efforts to protect and incorporate Ojibway Shores into the park, recognizing its significance as the last piece of natural habitat on the shores of the Detroit River.
Precedent of Rouge National Urban Park: The success of Rouge National Urban Park was often mentioned as an example to follow. Members discussed the significance of preserving green spaces and ecological integrity within densely populated areas and emphasized that this type of work is a legacy for future generations.

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Canada National Parks ActPrivate Members' Business

April 21st, 2023 / 2:15 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

The question is on the motion.

If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

Canada National Parks ActPrivate Members' Business

April 21st, 2023 / 2:15 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded division.

Canada National Parks ActPrivate Members' Business

April 21st, 2023 / 2:15 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

Pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the recorded division stands deferred until Wednesday, April 26, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

It being 2:18 p.m., the House stands adjourned until next Monday at 11 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 2:18 p.m.)

The House resumed from April 21 consideration of the motion that Bill C‑248, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act (Ojibway National Urban Park of Canada), be read the third time and passed.

Canada National Parks ActPrivate Members' Business

April 26th, 2023 / 3:40 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

Pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at third reading stage of Bill C‑248 under Private Members' Business.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #305

Canada National Parks ActPrivate Members' Business

April 26th, 2023 / 3:50 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried.

(Bill read the third time and passed)