/R E P E A T -- Government of Canada fulfills promise to protect Rouge National Urban Park/

Rouge National Urban Park on track to be completed in Canada's 150th Year

OTTAWA, June 19, 2017 /CNW/ - Our Government has fulfilled our promise to enhance Canada's first national urban park including legislative changes to protect this special place with the passage of Bill C-18 which received Royal Assent today.

Rouge National Urban Park is the first of its kind in Canada, protecting nature, culture, and agriculture in an integrated way and will be a lasting legacy of Canada's 150^th anniversary of Confederation. Within one hour's drive of seven million people and accessible by public transit, the Rouge provides unprecedented opportunities to experience nature and connect with our rich cultural and agricultural heritage.

Today's milestone would not have been possible without considerable collaboration between the federal and provincial governments, and the many stakeholders with their own perspectives and strong commitment to making Rouge National Urban Park a success. With the support of many organizations and individuals, including Indigenous Peoples, park farmers, and conservation groups, we have followed through on our promise to protect the Rouge's important ecosystems and heritage for future generations. I am proud that today we have not only strengthened Rouge National Urban Park's ecological protections, but have also provided long-term certainty for farmers in the park, so they can continue to provide food for Canadians as they have been doing for the past two centuries.

We thank the Ontario Government for its leadership in working to ensure that Rouge National Urban Park receives the same level of protection as every other national park in Canada and for reaffirming its commitment to transfer the provincial lands to complete Rouge National Urban Park. It is important to note that municipalities that surround the park have also been vital to today's achievement. We look forward to working with the Ontario Government to facilitate the land transfer in the coming months. Once complete, Rouge will become one of the largest parks in the world found within an urban setting. It will be 19 times larger than Vancouver's Stanley Park, and 23 times bigger than New York's Central Park. 

As we continue the celebration of Canada's 150^th Anniversary, admission to national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas are free this year. It's our government's gift to Canadians ? to encourage them to explore the infinite wonder of our country's natural and historic places. To learn more about Rouge National Urban Park ? and national parks and national historic sites across our country ? I encourage everyone to download our new Parks Canada mobile app and plan their summer adventures.

Catherine McKenna
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

SOURCE Parks Canada