S-229Gatineau Park Act

What it does

• Sets Gatineau Park’s boundaries in a new schedule, and lets the Governor in Council enlarge the park if the federal government has title to the land.
• Makes ecological integrity the National Capital Commission’s first priority when managing the park, and requires a long-term master plan within 10 years and every 10 years after that.
• Prohibits selling or giving away public lands in the park, except for certain transfers to Algonquin Anishinabeg bodies or public authorities for health care, social services, culture, or public infrastructure.
• Requires the Commission to provide public participation and to consult nearby municipalities and Algonquin Anishinabeg governing bodies, with the consultations reported on its website.
• Allows regulations on park activities, permits, fees, and ecological integrity, and says fees cannot be higher than the Commission’s cost.
• Allows the Minister to designate enforcement officers and to set summary conviction penalties for breaking park regulations.