November 15, 2022 at 6:39 pm
Legislation to create a national urban park in West Windsor is one step closer to reality.
Bill C-248, an amendment to Canada’s National Parks Act to create Ojibwe National Urban Park, passed the House of Commons (HOC) Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainability on Tuesday.
Windsor West MP Brian Masse, who introduced the private MP’s bill, said it was not without a fight as it passed in a 6-5 vote, with all Liberal committee members voting against it. Still, clearing the committee stage is an important step.
“The bill to create Ojibwe National Park is the culmination of years, if not decades, of work by many of the region’s residents to preserve a unique ecosystem in one of the most developed parts of the country,” Maas said on the media. release. “It is a great honor to be the man who brought this bill to the House of Commons. Today [Tuesday] is another step in the legislative process. Caldwell First Nation, City of Windsor, Wildlands League and Friends of Ojibway appeared as witnesses to the committee supporting the bill, demonstrating a unanimous consensus in favor of the legislation. “
The Ojibway National Urban Park, if approved, would be created in a space west of Windsor that includes the last stretch of undeveloped shoreline on the Detroit River. Ojibway Park, Spring Gardens Natural Area, Black Oak Heritage Park, Tallgrass Prairie Park, Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve and the Ojibway Coast. The latter is a 33-acre green space representing the last undeveloped stretch of shore on the Detroit River.
Bill C-248 is scheduled for a final third reading sometime in February 2023. Once passed, it will receive Royal Assent and become law.