Bill S-227

2nd Session, 39th Parliament,

56-57 Elizabeth II, 2007-2008

senate of canada

BILL S-227

An Act to amend the National Capital Act (establishment and protection of Gatineau Park)

WHEREAS Gatineau Park is a unique and irreplaceable part of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage;

WHEREAS it is important to preserve and protect Gatineau Park, so that the beauty and splendour of its forests, mountains, lakes and streams can be enjoyed now and for generations to come;

WHEREAS Gatineau Park is the only major federal park that is not protected under the Canada National Parks Act and whose boundaries are not established or regulated by federal statute;

WHEREAS Gatineau Park is the only major federal park that can have portions of its territory removed without review or approval by Parliament;

WHEREAS Gatineau Park should belong to all the people of Canada and be developed in a manner in which they can take pride;

WHEREAS one of the objectives of the National Capital Commission is to acquire properties situated in Gatineau Park;

AND WHEREAS the National Capital Commission has advocated the need to provide legal protection for the boundaries of Gatineau Park in its 1990 and 2005 Gatineau Park Master Plans;

NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

NATIONAL CAPITAL ACT

1. (1) The definition “National Capital Region” in section 2 of the National Capital Act is replaced by the following:

“National Capital Region” means the seat of the Government of Canada and its surrounding area, more particularly described in Schedule 1;

(2) Section 2 of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

“Gatineau Park” means the park established by section 10.1 and described in Schedule 2;

2. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 2:

HER MAJESTY

2.1 This Act is binding on Her Majesty in right of Canada or a province.

3. Subsection 10(1) of the Act is amended by striking out the word “and” at the end of paragraph (a), by adding the word “and” at the end of paragraph (b) and by adding the following after paragraph (b):

(c) acquire real property situated in Gatineau Park that is not owned by the Commission.

4. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 10:

ESTABLISHMENT OF GATINEAU PARK

10.1 (1) There is hereby established a park named Gatineau Park, the boundaries of which are set out in Schedule 2.

(2) Gatineau Park is hereby dedicated to the people of Canada for their benefit, education and enjoyment, subject to this Act and the regulations, and it shall be maintained and made use of so as to leave it unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.

(3) Maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity, through the protection of natural resources and natural processes, shall be the first priority of the Commission when considering all aspects of the management of Gatineau Park.

10.2 (1) Subject to this section, the Governor in Council may, by order, for the purpose of enlarging Gatineau Park, amend Schedule 2 to change the boundaries of the park if

(a) agreement has been reached between the Governments of Canada and Quebec; and

(b) the Commission has consulted with the public.

(2) Before an order is made under subsection (1), the proposed order shall be tabled in each House of Parliament and may be referred to an appropriate committee of that House.

(3) A committee to which a proposed order is referred may, within 30 sitting days after the proposed order is tabled, report to the House that it disapproves the proposed order, in which case a motion to concur in the report shall be put to the House in accordance with its procedures.

(4) The proposed order may be made if no report disapproving the proposed order is presented in accordance with subsection (3) or if, in respect of each such report that is so presented, the motion to concur in the report is negatived.

10.3 No amendment may be made by the Governor in Council to Schedule 2 for the purpose of removing any portion of Gatineau Park.

5. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 13:

13.1 (1) The Minister shall provide opportunities for public participation at the national, regional and local levels in the development of policies and management plans for Gatineau Park and in any other matters that the Minister considers relevant.

(2) In carrying out its functions under subsection (1), the Minister shall consult with the Government of Quebec.

SALE OR DISPOSAL OF LAND IN GATINEAU PARK

13.2 (1) No person shall sell or otherwise dispose of real property situated in Gatineau Park to anyone other than the Commission unless the person has given the right of first refusal to the Commission by submitting to the Commission an unconditional offer for sale of the property at fair market value, and

(a) the person has received written confirmation from the Commission that it declines the offer; or

(b) the Commission has not accepted the offer within 60 days after receiving it.

(2) Any purported sale or disposition of real property in contravention of subsection (1) is null and void.

(3) This section does not apply to the sale or disposition of real property pursuant to a contract in writing entered into before this section comes into force.

13.3 Despite any other provision of this Act, no public lands situated in Gatineau Park shall be sold or otherwise disposed of.

6. Subsection 20(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

20. (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations

(a) for the protection of any property of the Commission;

(b) for preserving order or preventing accidents on any property of the Commission; and

(c) generally, for carrying out the purposes and provisions of this Act.

7. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 22:

REPORT TO PARLIAMENT

22.1 The Commission shall, in its annual report submitted under section 150 of the Financial Administration Act, provide information about the Commission’s activities with respect to Gatineau Park, including the acquisition of real property situated in the park.

8. The schedule to the Act is renumbered as Schedule 1.

9. The Act is amended by adding, after Schedule 1, the schedule set out in the schedule to this Act.