Vol. 149, No. 11 — June 3, 2015

Registration

SI/2015-37 June 3, 2015

ROUGE NATIONAL URBAN PARK ACT

Order Fixing May 15, 2015 as the Day on which the Act Comes into Force

P.C. 2015-586 May 14, 2015

His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to section 62 of the Rouge National Urban Park Act, chapter 10 of the Statutes of Canada, 2015, fixes May 15, 2015 as the day on which that Act comes into force.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order.)

Proposal

This Order sets May 15, 2015, as the date for the coming into force of the Rouge National Urban Park Act (the Act), which received royal assent on April 23, 2015.

Objective

The coming into force of the Act completes the establishment process of Rouge National Urban Park.

Background

On April 23, 2015, the Rouge National Urban Park Act, the purpose of which is to establish Rouge National Urban Park, received royal assent. Budget 2015 reiterated the Government’s commitment to formally establish the Park for the benefit and enjoyment of all Canadians.

The creation of Rouge National Urban Park supports the Government’s National Conservation Plan by connecting Canadians with nature, as well as conserving and restoring Canada’s lands and waters. The opportunity to establish Rouge National Urban Park under the stewardship of Parks Canada builds on the legacy of the Agency as an international leader in conservation, visitor experience and education. Located within Canada’s most culturally diverse metropolitan area, the park is also well aligned with the Government’s priority to meaningfully reach Canada’s youth and our country’s increasingly diverse urban population.

Rouge National Urban Park is the newest category of Canada’s protected areas, alongside national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. This legislation provides the tools needed to ensure the protection and presentation of natural and cultural resources, and the promotion of a vibrant farming community in Rouge National Urban Park, for present and future generations and as part of Canada’s nation-wide system of nationally protected areas.

The Park has a rich diversity of natural and cultural heritage resources, including a rare Carolinian forest; numerous species at risk; a national historic site; a national historic event; geological outcrops from the interglacial age that are internationally significant; and, in situ evidence of human presence dating back over 10 000 years, including some of Canada’s oldest known Aboriginal historic sites, villages and travel routes.

A sustainable, vital farming community in Rouge National Urban Park will be built on community relationships, economic viability, diversification and environmental stewardship. Working with the farming community, associations, academic institutions and other experts, Parks Canada will develop a set of best management practices for agriculture in the Park.

Description

This Order brings into force the Rouge National Urban Park Act, the purpose of which is to establish Rouge National Urban Park and provide legal protection for park lands for the benefit of present and future generations. It also provides the authorities to enforce these protections and levy penalties for polluting, poaching, removing, and harming park resources.

The Act provides the Minister the authority to lease, grant easements over, and issue licences of occupation for lands in Rouge National Urban Park. It provides a broad range of regulatory powers with respect to all aspects of the management and administration of the Park, and calls for its management taking into consideration the protection of natural ecosystems, and natural landscapes, the maintenance of native wildlife and the health of ecosystems.

The Act makes consequential amendments to the Canada Land Surveys Act, the Parks Canada Agency Act, the Species at Risk Act and the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Act by adding Rouge National Urban Park.

The Act provides the authority to add lands to the Schedule through an order in council process. As additional lands are transferred to Parks Canada, they will be added to the Schedule. Land for Rouge National Urban Park is being assembled in collaboration with current public landholders. The Government of Canada has agreements with public landholders for all lands within the 58 km² Rouge National Urban Park study area.

Consultation

The public engagement process undertaken for the Rouge has been extensive. Since the Government of Canada announced its intention to establish the Park in the 2011 Speech from the Throne, nearly 15 000 Canadians have provided views and perspectives, and more than 150 organizations have been involved in workshops, meetings and presentations (national, provincial and municipal organizations, Aboriginal partners, youth, and individuals and organizations with expertise related to conservation, farming, tourism, recreation, youth engagement and education).

Parks Canada undertook an extensive and inclusive engagement with 10 First Nation communities to understand their interests with respect to the planning, establishment and presentation of the Park. A First Nations advisory circle was created and is comprised of representatives from each First Nation partner.

Stakeholders are broadly supportive of Rouge National Urban Park.

Departmental contact

Fouad Sadiki
Senior Advisor
Policy, Legislative and Cabinet Affairs
Parks Canada
Telephone: 819-420-5195
Email: Fouad.Sadiki@pc.gc.ca