A new bill has been introduced in the Senate to establish greater ecological protections of Gatineau Park. Independent Quebec Senator Rosa Galvez introduced Bill S-229, An Act to amend the National Capital Act (Gatineau Park) on Tuesday. It is currently at second reading in the Senate. The bill was drafted with input from Liberal MP for Pontiac-Kitigan Zibi Sophie Chatel. The bill was first introduced last fall but died on the order paper when the 2025 federal election was called. “Only 7.6 per cent of the Outaouais region and less than 9 per cent of the Ottawa River watershed are currently protected,” Galvez said in a news release. “The protection of Gatineau Park is essential for Canada to meet its goal of protecting 30 per cent of lands by 2030, as outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.” Chatel called Gatineau Park “one of the great natural treasures of the Outaouais” region. “A place for hiking, running, skiing, biking, and swimming in every season. It is at the heart of our regional identity. This bill is about protecting that legacy. It is time to act, so that future generations can continue to enjoy this space and help protect the biodiversity it sustains,” she said. According to the text of the current bill, it aims to establish the boundaries of Gatineau Park, prioritize the ecological integrity of the park in its management by the National Capital Commission (NCC), prohibit the sale of public lands located within the park, with certain exceptions, and authorize the creation of regulations to oversee activities in the park and set corresponding fees. It also seeks to strengthen consultation and collaboration between the NCC, the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation and neighbouring municipalities and promote the use of services from businesses and workers of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation for maintenance and conservation activities in Gatineau Park. “It is essential to protect our green spaces for future generations,” said Chief Jean-Guy Whiteduck, of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Band Council. “This bill not only aims to preserve the ecological integrity of the precious Gatineau Park; it also honours our connection to the land, which is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation. I support MP Sophie Chatel and Senator Rosa Galvez in this initiative, which aligns with the core values of our community. This bill reflects our collective responsibility to safeguard this unique environment for ourselves and for future generations.” According to the NCC, Gatineau Park is the largest green space in the National Capital Region, covering 7.7 per cent of its total area. It receives more than 2.6 million visitors per year, making it the second-most visited park in Canada, behind Banff National Park in Alberta. The NCC says on its website that Gatineau Park used to have distinct periods of high visitor traffic and low visitor traffic, which gave wildlife and the natural ecosystem time to grow. But the park has been busier in all seasons in recent years, which has led to impacts on the soil, plants, and wildlife. “Preserving Gatineau Park for future generations is a collective responsibility. You can support the Park’s conservation mission by being a responsible user, and by getting involved,” the NCC says.
