🍁 civid v1

Status and scope

• Bill S-229 was introduced in the Senate on June 10, 2025, and is at second reading. It would amend the National Capital Act to establish rules for Gatineau Park.
• The supplied text is truncated within the detailed boundary description. The summary below covers the provisions provided.

National Capital Act amendments

• Boundaries and protection: A new schedule would define Gatineau Park’s boundaries in Quebec, within Gatineau, Chelsea, La Pêche and Pontiac. The park would be dedicated to the people of Canada, including the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation, and maintained for future generations.
• Management: Maintaining ecological integrity would become the National Capital Commission’s (NCC’s) first priority in all aspects of park management.
• Changing boundaries: The Governor in Council could enlarge the park by order where satisfied that the Crown has title to the land. It could remove land by order only if a court finds that the Crown does not have title to it.
• Master plan: Within 10 years after the relevant provision comes into force, the NCC would have to prepare and table in both Houses of Parliament a master plan covering ecological objectives, protection, restoration, zoning, visitor use and other matters. It would review the plan at least every 10 years and table amendments.
• Consultation: The NCC would have to provide opportunities for public participation, including by the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation and park residents, in regulations, planning and other relevant matters. It would also have to publish a report demonstrating that it consulted adjacent municipalities and regional Algonquin Anishinabeg governing bodies and considered their recommendations.
• Public lands: Disposal of park public land or rights in it would generally be prohibited. Exceptions would allow certain disposals to regional Algonquin Anishinabeg organizations or governing bodies for specified services, or to public authorities for health facilities or infrastructure. Land would revert to the NCC if it ceased to be used for the purpose for which it was disposed of or the rights were granted. Use or occupation of public land would require NCC permission, subject to regulations.
• Work: The NCC would have to consider using regional Algonquin Anishinabeg businesses and workers for part of the park’s maintenance and conservation work.
• Regulations and charges: The Governor in Council could regulate activities, use of park resources and facilities, and ecological integrity, and set charges for use, services and authorizations. Charges could not exceed the NCC’s relevant costs. Regulations could prescribe penalties for violations within Criminal Code limits.
• Enforcement: The minister could designate eligible enforcement officers, including employees of public authorities or Algonquin Anishinabeg governing bodies. For park enforcement, they would have peace-officer powers and legal protections. Separate designations could be made to enforce designated contraventions.

Consequential amendments

• The existing National Capital Act schedule would become Schedule 1, and references to it in other federal Acts would be updated. The park boundary description would be added as Schedule 2.

Who is affected

• The provisions would affect the NCC, park visitors and residents, users of public land, adjacent municipalities, and regional Algonquin Anishinabeg governing bodies, organizations, businesses and workers. Potential charges and restrictions would depend on regulations made under the bill.