Grosse Île added to National Historic Sites

Summary#

This is a proposed Order to add Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site of Canada to the federal list of national historic sites. If adopted, it would let Parks Canada Agency use certain powers in the Canada National Parks Act to manage plants, animals and wildlife on the island. The notice was published on March 7, 2026 and people have 30 days to comment.

What it does#

• Adds Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site of Canada to the schedule of the National Historic Sites of Canada Order.
• Makes parts of the Canada National Parks Act apply to the site. In plain terms, that gives Parks Canada Agency more legal tools to protect plants and animals and to carry out wildlife-management actions on the lands it already owns.
• Opens the way for changes to how hunting and firearms are handled on the island. The provincial ministry has said it plans to repeal its rule that currently bans hunting there; Parks Canada Agency says it will set site-specific firearms rules before any repeal.
• Describes the island parcels transferred to Parks Canada; the schedule notes the island as about 250 hectares (the background text also refers to 1.8 km², which is inconsistent with the 250 hectares figure in the order).

Who's affected#

• Parks Canada Agency staff and managers of the site.
• Staff, pilots and visitors who use the island airstrip (air access is the main year-round route).
• Sûreté du Québec, which provides policing in the region and will be involved in enforcement.
• The provincial government, specifically the Quebec Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, which has said it intends to change its hunting rules for the island.
• Four First Nations that were contacted: Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk, Huron‑Wendat, Innu and Abenaki (Waban‑Aki). Parks Canada says it will send them the species-at-risk report and invite further discussion.
• Local residents, visitors, conservation groups and researchers who have an interest in the island’s natural and cultural heritage.
• Small businesses: the notice says the proposed Order does not affect small businesses.

Why it matters#

• Safety: Parks Canada reports that a high number of white‑tailed deer near the airstrip has created safety risks for staff and aircraft. A 2023 count showed about 49.5 white‑tailed deer per km², an abundance index of 89 to 95 animals, while the island’s theoretical support capacity was estimated at 8 deer. Parks Canada recorded more than 1,000 observations of deer near the runway during patrols.
• Conservation: overgrazing and trampling by deer threaten rare plants and habitats on the island. The site hosts species of conservation concern (the analysis mentions plants endemic to Quebec and a tree species listed under the Species at Risk Act). Using federal powers could make it easier to carry out the recovery and habitat measures in Parks Canada’s species-at-risk work.
• Access and maintenance: the island is used year-round by plane and Parks Canada says runway safety is critical, especially because work on the wharf could limit boat access in 2025–2026.
• It is a proposal, not final. The Order still needs to be adopted, and its practical effects will depend on how Parks Canada and Quebec implement wildlife-control measures and on any further consultations. Comments on the proposal are open for 30 days after the publication date (March 7, 2026).