Thanks to Friends of Ojibway Prairie, Brian Masse’s Office, financial supporters and YOU! The Launch Event at Mic Mac Park Sept 28th was a great success, despite the rain. More than 300 signs have been distributed and the rest are going fast!
A final vote is coming in the Senate. There is no guarantee Ojibway will be established if it isn’t proclaimed during this Parliament. Lawn signs keep the momentum up. Support permanent legal protection for Ojibway now!
What you can do:
- If you haven’t obtained your sign please fill out the form below below or contact Brian Masse’s office at (519) 255-1631 or brian.masse@parl.gc.ca to arrange a pick-up.
- Please take a photo of your displayed sign or poster and share it with us and your contacts.
- Contribute to the production of more lawn signs. Donate today.
With your help, Ojibway National Urban Park will become a reality. Thank you!
Do you want to contribute to the production of further lawn signs? Donate today.
Thanks to the following for providing financial support for lawn sign production: Local 444 Unifor, Local 444 Unifor Windsor Regional Environment Committee, Local 200 Unifor Social Justice Fund, and the Greater Essex Elementary Local of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.
2024 Updates
In March, Caldwell First Nation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Parks Canada and the parties continue to work towards co-governance of Point Pelee National Park and Ojibway National Urban Park. The door is open for other First Nations that may want to be involved in the future.
The federal spring budget granted Parks Canada $36 million for the establishment and $4.6 million for operation of Ojibway National Urban Park, signalling a profound commitment to the establishment of the Park.
Bill C-248, the private member’s bill sponsored by Windsor West MP Brian Masse, passed second reading in the Senate after all-party support in the House. It was being deliberated at Committee when Parliament adjourned for the summer. This bill would establish Ojibway under the National Parks Act and provide the strongest legal protection for Ojibway.
The Senate Committee raised some questions about the bill. During Committee testimony, Ontario reversed its commitment to include Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Preserve in the bill saying it needs more time to negotiate with Ottawa. Still, Ontario remains committed to transferring the lands at some point.
Senate deliberations are due to resume now that Parliament has returned.
Wildlands League remains steadfast in its support of the Bill C-248 as the best way to establish Ojibway and provide the highest level of protection for ecological integrity. We think that reasonable questions asked at Committee can be addressed through efficient amendments to the bill. We look forward to testifying at the committee if the opportunity arises.
Parks Canada consultation has wrapped up its feasibility phase of public consultations with a report and is now continuing stakeholder consultations in the planning phase.
Updates from Spring 2023
After passing third reading in the House of Commons with all-party support, Bill C-248 to establish Ojibway National Urban Park in Windsor is in the Senate! During debate, Senator Peter Boehm spoke of the importance of the Bill for quickly protecting the vanishing habitat of over 130 endangered species and for reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. He highlighted the importance of support for the Bill from Wildlands League, Friends of Ojibway Prairie, and the Caldwell First Nation.
You can read the full transcript and view the debate online.
View Wildlands League’s letter of support for Bill C-248 here.
Updates from Spring 2022
The Federal Environment Minister, Stephen Guilbeault, announced the transfer of Windsor’s Ojibway Shores property from Transport Canada to Parks Canada, and committed to completing Ojibway National Urban Park.
Your letters to the editor of the Windsor Star and support of Wildlands League helped make this happen! Thank you!
Transferring this last piece of undeveloped shoreline on the Detroit River to Parks Canada has set in motion a big win for nature. The Ojibway Prairie Complex hosts the most endangered ecosystem in Canada – Tallgrass Prairie – in the city with the most endangered species. Tallgrass also acts as an effective sponge for preventing Windsor’s annual floods. A new National Urban Park anchored on Ojibway Shores will increase protection for all six of Ojibway Prairie’s nature areas.
Your support enables us to press on for the completion of Ojibway National Urban Park and its connection to the wider landscape through ecological corridors. Our vision is an interconnected network for nature that will halt and reverse biodiversity loss while fighting climate change in Windsor.
This is how we will bring nature back in cities across Canada.
