Grosse Île Added to Historic Sites List

Summary#

This is a proposed Order to add Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site to the schedule of the National Historic Sites of Canada Order so that parts of the Canada National Parks Act can apply to the island. The change is meant to give Parks Canada stronger tools to manage an overabundant white‑tailed deer population that is threatening the airstrip, visitor and staff safety, and fragile plant life. Interested people had 30 days from publication (March 7, 2026) to comment; this is a proposal, not yet in force.

What it does#

• Adds Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site (about 250 hectares) to the federal list of national historic sites covered by the National Historic Sites of Canada Order.
• Makes certain provisions of the Canada National Parks Act available for the site. In practical terms, that gives Parks Canada legal tools to manage wildlife, habitat, and public safety on the island.
• Enables Parks Canada to set rules about hunting and wildlife control on the island. The federal step is intended to allow coordination with the Quebec government, which is expected to remove a provincial rule that currently prohibits hunting on the island so a controlled deer‑management program can proceed.
• Confirms that the lands being added are already owned by Parks Canada (surveyed parcels described in the Order).

Who's affected#

• Parks Canada staff and contractors who work on or travel to the island.
• Pilots and operators who transport staff and visitors by plane (the plane is the only year‑round access).
• Visitors to Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site and the people who maintain site access (wharf, airstrip).
• Sûreté du Québec and local enforcement bodies that currently provide policing on the islands.
• The provincial government and the Quebec Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, because provincial hunting rules will need to be adjusted to allow some deer control methods.
• Four First Nations who were contacted about the work: Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk, Huron‑Wendat, Innu, and Abenaki (Waban‑Aki).
• Plant species and other wildlife on the island, including species identified as at risk or rare (for example, the site hosts rare vascular plants and Butternut).

If unclear: the notice describes planned next steps and consultation, but the exact timing and methods of any deer control (for example, a controlled hunt) will be set out later.

Why it matters#

• Safety: deer regularly use the airstrip area. Parks Canada reports more than 1,000 deer observations near the runway since June 2023, and at least one recent incident forced an aircraft to brake urgently. Safer runways mean safer travel for staff and visitors, and safer transport of supplies and workers during winter.
• Conservation: the island has fragile and rare plants (including species endemic to Quebec). Overgrazing by an estimated 49.5 white‑tailed deer per km² (field counts) far exceeds the island’s theoretical support capacity of 8 white‑tailed deer, harming habitats and species at risk.
• Practical costs: current efforts to scare deer are frequent, costly, and often ineffective. Allowing managed population control should reduce those ongoing disruptions and costs.
• Access and work: Parks Canada plans infrastructure work (for example, wharf repairs). Reliable and safe air access is important for that work and for visitor services outside the summer boat season.

Overall, the proposed change is a targeted administrative step to give Parks Canada clearer authority to manage wildlife and protect both people and sensitive natural and cultural features on Grosse Île.