Establish Ojibway National Urban Park
Petitioners ask the House to expedite legislation to establish Ojibway National Urban Park, make ecological integrity the primary objective, and work with local Indigenous partners. The government responds it is working with First Nations and partners.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would protect the Ojibway Prairie Complex’s endangered ecosystems and many provincially rare species, preserving essential urban green space for residents.
- It would create a statutory framework that makes conservation and ecological integrity the park’s primary management priority, giving legal force to long‑term protection.
- It requires working with local Indigenous peoples, supporting reconciliation, shared governance and locally driven stewardship that could boost eco‑tourism and jobs.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Creating federal park legislation and governance will require time and resources and may divert funds from other local priorities.
- Amending the National Parks Act or drafting a new federal urban‑park law is legally complex and may be unnecessary; provincial or local protections might be more efficient.
- The petition asks for expedited action despite missed milestones, yet the required multi‑partner collaboration could delay designation or limit practical progress.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the House of Commons, Canada WHEREAS: The Ojibway National Urban Park (ONUP) has the full support of the Windsor-Essex community, as well as local, national, and international organizations; The ONUP passed through the House of Commons with all-party, and almost unanimous support in the form of former Bill C-248, and was at the final stages in the Senate before dissolution of the 44th parliament; The federal government has committed to creating 15 new national urban parks by 2030; The proposed ONUP successfully passed Parks Canada's pre-feasibility study and $36.1 million was allocated over five years, starting in 2024-25, with $8.2 million in remaining amortization, and $4.6 million per year ongoing in the 2024 federal budget to establish the ONUP in Windsor, Ontario; The Ojibway Prairie Complex in Windsor, Ontario, is home to one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada, including tallgrass prairie and oak savannah; The area supports over 160 provincially rare species and provides vital green space for residents and visitors; The creation of ONUP would protect biodiversity, promote reconciliation with Indigenous communities, enhance public access to nature and provide valuable eco-tourism and employment opportunities; The ONUP was slated for establishment in Fall 2025 but key milestones for opening have been missed. THEREFORE, we the undersigned petition the House of Commons to: Expedite legislative and administrative steps to formalize Ojibway National Urban Parks's creation; Table and pass legislation to amend the National Parks Act of Canada to establish Ojibway National Urban Park or to table and pass legislation creating a statutory framework for National Urban Parks, beginning with Ojibway National Urban Park, and to enshrine in law that conservation and restoration of ecological integrity shall be the first priority in the creation, management and long-term protection of all such parks; Respectfully work with and support local Indigenous Peoples to ensure accountability and transparency in the establishment and management of Ojibway National Urban Park.
Government response
Response by the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature Signed by The Honourable Julie Dabrusin The Government of Canada recognizes that the protection of the areas identified for a national urban park in Windsor and LaSalle has long been championed by First Nations, partners, local conservation groups and community advocates, and that these lands have significant natural and cultural value. The Government thanks the petitioners for their support and dedication to this cause. Parks Canada’s National Urban Parks Program introduces a new way to conserve nature in urban centres, where most Canadians live. Parks Canada is currently working with rights-holding First Nations and local partners to designate the national urban park in Windsor under the National Urban Parks Policy. The National Urban Parks Policy sets forth a collaborative and locally driven approach to creating national urban parks. Building a collaborative model with multiple partners takes time but creates a foundation for lasting success. The funding announced for the national urban park in Windsor is supporting the capacity of First Nations, municipal, provincial and other partners, along with Parks Canada, to engage in the discussions required to establish the collaborative governance structure of the park, as well as to undertake ecological and cultural studies, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. The Canada National Parks Act is not the appropriate legislation for managing a park in an urban area, as it lacks mechanisms and tools to manage land in an urban setting. Parks Canada is considering developing legislation specific to federally administered lands within national urban parks. Should such legislation be developed, it will be in collaboration with First Nations partners, and the process will include opportunities for Canadians to share their input. In the meantime, Parks Canada has other tools to work effectively with partners to designate National Urban Parks under the existing policy and related authorities. The Government remains committed to designating the national urban park in the Windsor area in partnership with First Nations and local partners. This work is advancing well, and at a pace which respects the complexity of aligning partner interests and ensuring respectful collaboration.