Consultations to begin on potential for transfer of Pickering Lands from Transport Canada to Parks Canada boosting conservation efforts, alongside a brand-new park visitor centre
January 27, 2025 Pickering, Ontario Parks Canada
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.
