Environment Committee on Oct. 28th, 2022

[Darlene Upton]

As far as urban national parks are concerned, our goal is to discuss and create a park with partners, which is possible to do without appropriating their land. In fact, this is part of our mandate. We are currently in talks with the cities of Montreal and Saskatoon, as well as the Cardwell community and others across the country.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I have another more specific question.

When you are meeting with representatives from the City of Montreal, do you talk about what is referred to as “le Champ des monarques”? It is in the shadow of the Dorval airport, on federal land that has been leased to the Montreal airports authority, which is currently destroying the land.

What are your thoughts on that zone?

[Darlene Upton]

There are several places. We are having conversations with our partners to determine whether there is a better place. That being said, there are many possibilities in Montreal.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

In other words, several places in Montreal would become national urban parks and not be part of the municipality or Quebec.

[Darlene Upton]

It is truly too early to determine that. The discussions have not gone far enough yet. We are aware that agreement needs to be negotiated between Quebec and the federal government. We are exploring the possibilities.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

That is all for me, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Yes. That question really spoke to me as a member from Montreal. Indeed, it is just on the other side of the boundary of my riding.

Mr. Masse, you have two and a half minutes.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

That's what makes this project very special. We have the municipality that requested Parks Canada not take over that property; that's one of the reasons it has consensus. It's the same with the Province of Ontario.

I want to go to an issue that I have concern about, though. You're suggesting that if the legislation goes through, it would affect other parks. If we save the species here in Windsor, then are there going to be compromises somewhere else? Wouldn't the government come up with resources or a plan? That doesn't sound appropriate, in terms of a response. If this is held off even longer....

I'll give you a good example. Ojibway Shores is the last national spot there under the port authority. We've stopped it from being bulldozed. It has 200 endangered species. You mentioned about a memo of understanding. That's why I'm worried about this, because it still happens.

Perhaps you can tell us what's happening with your department now. They have shoreline erosion right now on that last piece of property on the Detroit River international boundary. We have shoreline erosion taking place daily on that. Are you doing anything about that right now, or do we have to wait until...? When will this draft become public in terms of what the real policy is? That's my concern. As we wait around and wait around, we're going to lose more species at risk here.

[Darlene Upton]

At this time, Parks Canada is not administering that Ojibway Shores property at all.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Okay, so we have shoreline erosion taking place and we're losing significant parts of it. In fact, the port got money to actually scope the climate change along there.

With regard to the draft national urban parks policy that you're undertaking? right now, do you have public meetings? Do you have minutes that you can provide to the public of all the meetings and people you had there?

We've had public meetings. We've taped them. We've put them on social media. We've engaged in lots of communications, petitions and so forth. What can you provide to the committee in terms of minutes and meetings, and with whom, that you've had over the last number of months?

[Darlene Upton]

The first public meetings associated with the draft policy were when the minister did the minister's round table in 2020. We've been working with select partners and expert groups and getting feedback on the draft. We'll be going to public consultation shortly. We have to consult on all policy.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Under the Parks Canada Agency Act right now, there is a duty to consult, and also to consult repeatedly at I think two years, five years and 10 years, and to report back to Parliament, to all of us here. Is that not true?

[Darlene Upton]

Well, we report to Parliament—

[Andrew Campbell]

There is a two-year requirement under the act for the minister to hold their round table and for the CEO to report every two years. Every 10 years, a management plan is required for every park.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Great.

What's the comparable under your plan right now?

[Darlene Upton]

Sorry, under...?

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Well, with your draft plan, what's the comparable? That's what's going to take place if we pass the bill.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

We're out of time, unfortunately.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

We don't know what your plan is.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

We're out of time. I gave you more time than—

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I know you've been generous.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Mr. Benzen, you are next. You have five minutes, please.

[Bob Benzen, Conservative, Calgary Heritage, AB]

Mr. Chair, I'm going to cede my time to Mr. Masse.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Great. Thank you.

Maybe we can follow up on that.

Comparing what we know is law and what we have from the Library of Parliament and from the act, which we have in front of us as well, how does your draft plan compare with that in terms of public consultation and accountability and reporting back to Parliament?

[Darlene Upton]

The development of the plan is under way. It will follow the normal policy development process, which will include extensive public consultation.

As I mentioned, we've had several meetings with expert groups to inform the initial draft of the policy. We'll be moving to full public consultation on that, and a record of what was heard will be produced.

In terms of the—