Tashi Farmilo
LJI Reporter

Formal protection for Gatineau Park is once again before Parliament, as Senator Rosa Galvez
reintroduces legislation to enshrine the park in federal law after earlier efforts were stalled with
the change in government. Bill S – 229, a refined version of a proposal tabled in 2024, seeks to
provide Canada’s second-most visited park with the legal standing it has never possessed,
despite its prominence in the National Capital Region and long-standing ecological value.

The bill would amend the National Capital Act to establish fixed legal boundaries for the park,
prohibit the sale of its public lands, except under limited and clearly defined conditions, and
require the National Capital Commission to make ecological integrity the foremost priority in its
management. The legislation also strengthens the park’s governance by mandating sustained
consultation with neighbouring municipalities and the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation, whose
unceded territory includes the land on which the park sits.

While earlier versions of the legislation faltered, S – 229 reflects lessons learned from previous
attempts. It removes a controversial clause granting the NCC a right of first refusal on private
land purchases – powers it already holds – and clarifies provisions around user fees to ensure
continued public access at reasonable cost. A master plan for ecological protection, zoning, and
visitor use will be required within ten years of the bill’s enactment, with mandatory updates at
least every decade thereafter.

Pontiac–Kitigan Zibi MP Sophie Chatel, who co-developed the legislation with Senator Galvez,
has championed the bill as both a personal and regional priority. As the federal representative
for a riding that includes vast tracts of the park, Chatel has consistently called for stronger
protection of its ecological and cultural significance. She emphasized the park’s role as a
symbol of regional identity and a vital part of the Outaouais’ natural heritage. “This is about
ensuring that future generations can continue to walk these trails, breathe this air, and feel a
connection to the land that defines our region,” she said.

Also backing the bill is Greg Fergus, MP for Hull–Aylmer and Speaker of the House of
Commons. Fergus has long advocated for federal recognition of the park’s unique status,
arguing that its popularity and ecological value deserve the same legal weight as national parks.
His support underscores the broader political momentum the bill now enjoys within the National
Capital Region.

Gatineau Park currently draws some 2.6 million visitors a year and supports nearly 5,000
regional jobs, generating $184 million in economic activity annually. Despite this, only 7.6 per
cent of the Outaouais region and under 9 per cent of the Ottawa River watershed enjoy formal
protection. Advocates of the bill argue that placing the park under legislative protection is
essential for meeting Canada’s biodiversity target of conserving 30 per cent of land by 2030, as
outlined in the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.​

The proposal has drawn strong support from Indigenous leaders, environmental organizations,
and local elected officials. Chief Jean-Guy Whiteduck of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg praised the bill
for recognizing the deep connection between the Algonquin people and the land, describing it as
an act of collective responsibility to preserve the territory for future generations. The Société
pour la nature et les parcs du Canada called the bill a necessary step to align Gatineau Park’s
management with national conservation standards.

Photo: A renewed federal bill backed by Senator Rosa Galvez, MP Sophie Chatel, and Speaker
Greg Fergus aims to give Gatineau Park long-overdue legal protection, establishing its
boundaries in law, prioritizing ecological integrity, and formalizing Indigenous and municipal
partnerships in its governance. (TF) Photo: Tashi Farmilo