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http://www.thestar.com/article/612964
National park status sought for Rouge Valley
Apr 03, 2009 04:30 AM
John Spears
CITY HALL BUREAU
A 16,000-hectare national park should be created on Toronto's eastern boundary, stretching from Lake Ontario to the Oak Ridges Moraine, according to a coalition of politicians and environmentalists.
The proposed Rouge Valley National Park would cover a huge swath of York and Durham Regions and a northeast corner of Toronto, along the Rouge River and its tributaries, according to a plan being unveiled today.
Best of all, says Toronto Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker, the park area is already in public hands: it's owned largely by the federal and provincial governments, or held by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
De Baeremaeker, who has long fought to protect the Rouge River, says turning the whole system into a federal park has several benefits.
"By designating it a national park, it's recognized as one of the most ecologically sensitive and important areas in all of Canada," he said. "And once it becomes a national park, it would be virtually impossible for the land to be sold off for development."
Then there's the money:
"We've had a problem with poaching in the Rouge Park, and with illegal dumping. Right now, municipalities don't have the money to properly patrol the park," he said.
"With the federal presence, you would have federal parks staff on the ground protecting the park."
The area teems with wildlife, and First Nations artefacts dating back 10,000 years have been found in the area.
Conservative MP Michael Chong (Wellington-Halton Hills) is also behind the campaign.
Parks Canada has a mandate to protect unique natural areas, says Chong, and the Rouge River system is a prime example of Carolinian forest, a more southerly environment than the boreal forests that stretch across most of Canada.
"This is an opportunity to protect one of the most important biospheres in Canada," Chong said in an interview.
While most national parks exist in remote wilderness areas, the fact that the Rouge sits in the midst of Canada's biggest urban area is a huge benefit, Chong said.
"There are going to be close to 12 million Canadians living in the Greater Golden Horseshoe in 20 years, many of whom are new Canadians, many of whom are lower-income Canadians," he said.
"Having a national park like this next to the greatest urban area in the country provides millions of Canadians access to this treasure."
Chong said he has sketched out the plan to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, who is also minister responsible for Greater Toronto, and Environment Minister Jim Prentice, responsible for Parks Canada.
"No commitments were made" said Chong, but the current government has been interested in expanding the parks system.
Pauline Browes, a former Conservative MP, is also supporting the park. Many people have never been to a national park, she said. "This way it's a transit ticket to be able to enjoy this incredible area."
National park status sought for Rouge Valley
Apr 03, 2009 04:30 AM
John Spears
CITY HALL BUREAU
A 16,000-hectare national park should be created on Toronto's eastern boundary, stretching from Lake Ontario to the Oak Ridges Moraine, according to a coalition of politicians and environmentalists.
The proposed Rouge Valley National Park would cover a huge swath of York and Durham Regions and a northeast corner of Toronto, along the Rouge River and its tributaries, according to a plan being unveiled today.
Best of all, says Toronto Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker, the park area is already in public hands: it's owned largely by the federal and provincial governments, or held by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
De Baeremaeker, who has long fought to protect the Rouge River, says turning the whole system into a federal park has several benefits.
"By designating it a national park, it's recognized as one of the most ecologically sensitive and important areas in all of Canada," he said. "And once it becomes a national park, it would be virtually impossible for the land to be sold off for development."
Then there's the money:
"We've had a problem with poaching in the Rouge Park, and with illegal dumping. Right now, municipalities don't have the money to properly patrol the park," he said.
"With the federal presence, you would have federal parks staff on the ground protecting the park."
The area teems with wildlife, and First Nations artefacts dating back 10,000 years have been found in the area.
Conservative MP Michael Chong (Wellington-Halton Hills) is also behind the campaign.
Parks Canada has a mandate to protect unique natural areas, says Chong, and the Rouge River system is a prime example of Carolinian forest, a more southerly environment than the boreal forests that stretch across most of Canada.
"This is an opportunity to protect one of the most important biospheres in Canada," Chong said in an interview.
While most national parks exist in remote wilderness areas, the fact that the Rouge sits in the midst of Canada's biggest urban area is a huge benefit, Chong said.
"There are going to be close to 12 million Canadians living in the Greater Golden Horseshoe in 20 years, many of whom are new Canadians, many of whom are lower-income Canadians," he said.
"Having a national park like this next to the greatest urban area in the country provides millions of Canadians access to this treasure."
Chong said he has sketched out the plan to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, who is also minister responsible for Greater Toronto, and Environment Minister Jim Prentice, responsible for Parks Canada.
"No commitments were made" said Chong, but the current government has been interested in expanding the parks system.
Pauline Browes, a former Conservative MP, is also supporting the park. Many people have never been to a national park, she said. "This way it's a transit ticket to be able to enjoy this incredible area."
