Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to present a petition on behalf of Canadians.
I rise to present a petition regarding Parks Canada's decision to ban motorized watercraft on Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park. The petition is signed by over 1,000 Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
Canadians are calling on the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture to reverse Parks Canada's decision to ban boats on Clear Lake and reinstate the previously announced “one boat, one lake” policy. The petitioners note that Parks Canada had promised motorized boat access would be restored under the “one boat, one lake” policy, but this decision was abruptly reversed just hours before the May long weekend without justification. They are frustrated that the decision was never explained to the public despite repeated requests from community members.
Now that the local superintendent has been replaced, Canadians believe that now is the right time to acknowledge this failure, move forward and reopen Clear Lake so that next summer, all Canadians can once again enjoy one of Canada's most beautiful lakes.