Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Scarborough for his question on the Rouge River Valley.
As the Minister of Canadian Heritage has already indicated to the House, this government remains committed to the creation of the Rouge River Valley Park. In fact this 11,400 acre preserve is North America's largest urban park. Its creation is an excellent example of co-operation among the federal and Ontario governments as well as private organizations in meeting federal government environmental objectives.
Mr. Speaker, from the very beginning, the federal government has been in favour of the Rouge River Valley Park. In 1988, the Minister of the Environment of the time announced that the Canadian government would invest $10 million for the conservation of the valley.
In fact, the federal government contributed $1.5 million of the $2.6 million purchase price for the culturally significant Bead Hill National Historic Site in Scarborough within the Rouge River Park. This is the only intact 17th century Seneca village and burial ground known in Canada.
As my friend from Scarborough-Rouge River knows, Bead Hill is an example of an important aspect of native history which is under-represented in the Canadian network of national historic sites.
The federal government's commitment to the Rouge River Valley Park remains firm. Upon establishment of a park management agency by the Ontario government, we would be pleased to consider funding further projects for park development within our commitment.
I would like to thank my friend from Scarborough-Rouge River for displaying his continuing interest in Rouge River Valley Park. It is a very important element in the lives of his constituents as well as all Canadians. He should be congratulated for bringing their concerns to the forefront of discussion in the House.