A new bill aimed at protecting Gatineau Park was introduced in the Senate last Thursday. It’s not the first attempt; 13 previous bills have already failed. The new bill, sponsored by independent Senator Rosa Galvez and Liberal MP Sophie Chatel, aims to establish the park’s boundaries and prohibit the sale of public lands within it, with some exceptions.

According to Chatel, the bill is important to prevent further shrinkage of the park, which has been damaged by development over the decades. She noted that the park does not have legal status as a protected area, despite its importance.

The bill requires the National Capital Commission (NCC) to submit a “master plan” with a long-term environmental strategy to Parliament at least once every ten years. Galvez emphasized that the 360-square-kilometer park contains more than 50 lakes and critical ecosystems.

While the bill is considered “historic,” it is not the first. From 2005 to 2013, 13 bills were presented in parliament to protect Gatineau Park. The new project has already received support from 12 deputies from the National Capital and the Ministers of the Environment and Public Procurement.

Anastasia Chupina