Expanding Rouge National Urban Park

ShaziaLifestyle

Pickering – The Rouge National Urban Park is a gem of the Greater Toronto Area. Within one hour’s drive of 20 percent of Canada’s entire population and accessible by public transit, the park provides unparalleled opportunities for visitors to experience the area’s natural, cultural and agricultural heritage, while protecting the habitat of thousands of local plant and animal species.

Today, the Government of Canada announced its intent to transfer the administration of lands with high conservation value from Transport Canada’s Pickering Lands to be included in Rouge National Urban Park. This follows 50 years of public advocacy for the conservation of these lands. This important addition of land would vastly boost park conservation. The Government of Canada also announced a $21 million investment to construct a brand-new Rouge National Urban Park visitor, learning and community centre to strengthen visitor experiences.

The Government of Canada is committed to establishing the future use of the land through a consultation process. As part of our commitment to respectful and inclusive decision-making through consultations with Indigenous partners, the Rouge National Urban Parks First Nations Advisory Circle and its members (the seven Williams Treaty Nations, the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Huron-Wendat, and the Six Nations of the Grand River) will be a priority first step.

Further, the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of the Greenbelt in Ontario, and the commitment Rouge National Urban Park has with the agricultural community, to natural conservation, and connecting Canadians to outdoor recreation. The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives and removing barriers to access traditional lands. The Government of Canada will work collaboratively with Indigenous partners to ensure the consultations on the future of the lands are conducted thoroughly and meaningfully, and include consultations for other stakeholders, including tenants and leaseholders, as well as the public.

The Rouge National Urban Park’s new visitor, learning and community centre will be located near the Toronto Zoo. The building will feature engaging indoor and outdoor spaces and serve as an iconic gateway into the park, welcoming the diverse communities that live in Canada’s largest metropolitan area. The construction tendering process included a robust Indigenous Participation Plan that incentivized economic benefit commitments to local Indigenous businesses connected to the ten partnering First Nations that make up Rouge National Urban Park’s First Nations Advisory Circle. The contract includes initiatives that will promote employment opportunities and use of suppliers and contractors within local Indigenous communities.

The sustainable design and universally accessible facility will provide exciting opportunities for visitors to discover the Indigenous, natural, cultural and agricultural heritage of the Rouge. Parks Canada worked in close collaboration with Indigenous partners on the development of the space, which will include immersive installations and other unique features showcasing a diversity of Indigenous voices and perspectives.

“Today, we announced that we intend to transfer the portion of the land in the Greenbelt of Transport Canada’s Pickering Lands to Parks Canada, to be included in Rouge National Urban Park. This follows many years of community advocacy for the conservation of these lands.” – Anita Anand, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade 

“Today is a milestone moment in the history of Rouge National Urban Park. We are taking action for everyone who, over 50 years of activism, advocated to properly conserve some of the Pickering Lands slated for an airport. We will engage with Indigenous partners and the public on this important land transfer to Rouge National Urban Park. Visitors can also be excited about a brand-new $21 million visitor centre that will be their gateway into the park. All of this will provide increased opportunities for visitors to Rouge National Urban Park to engage with the outdoors and discover more about the diverse forests, wetlands, meadows, and ecosystems found here.” – Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

“Having spaces where we can enjoy the great outdoors and be active is essential for our physical and mental health and well-being. I am thrilled for those in Durham and beyond to come explore this new park in our backyard.” – Mark Holland, Minister of Health