The petition requests that Gatineau Park be given legislated protection to ensure its existence for future generations. The petition states that the park has the greatest habitat diversity in Quebec, is home to the largest number of species at risk, and is one of the largest parks in the Ottawa Valley, supporting its economy through tourism.
The petition claims that, despite its importance, the park lacks permanent legal protection and that, as a result, sections of the park may be removed, developed, or disposed of without parliamentary authorization. The petition indicates that urbanization and development in surrounding areas have already led to a concerning level of habitat fragmentation. The petition also states that without legal protection, the park’s resources could be misused.
As such, the petition questions whether the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement will support an amendment to the National Capital Act to legislatively protect the park’s boundaries.