Protect our Parks

Have you ever visited one of Ontario's many beautiful provincial parks?

If so, then you know our parks are environmental treasures that are home to a host of animals and plants including many that are rare or found only in Ontario. You may believe, like most Ontarians, that our parks will remain pristine sanctuaries well into the future.

But in fact our current law does not protect our parks as well as it should - instead it leaves the door open to development and threatens the very survival of Ontario's rare and endangered animals and plants. The current Parks Act does not automatically prohibit mining, logging, and hydro-electric development in our provincial parks and this must change.

Ontario’s Provincial Parks Act

In September of 2004, Ontario’s provincial government announced a full review of the long outdated Provincial Parks Act.

Did you know that mining companies have legal access to over 90% of Ontario's Crown Lands? Shouldn't our beautiful and majestic parks - like Temagami, Wabakimi and Opasquia be off-limits to mineral exploration and mining?

Unfortunately, the law that designates our parks - the Provincial Parks Act - was last updated in 1954 when there were just 8 parks. Since 1954, the number of parks has grown to 316. The legislation continues to lag behind and does not reflect the biodiversity and ecological integrity needs of these special places.

In addition to the significant provincial park expansion, Ontario now has 249 conservation reserves - areas that are "protected" but have no staff or independent budgets. These reserves are managed under the weaker Public Lands Act. Our provincial parks and conservation reserves need the best protection the law can provide. These areas are home to hundreds of species of animals, birds, fish, insects and plants that need these habitats to survive and prosper. And, of course with the ever increasing number of species at risk who depend on these precious places, it's time we changed the law.

Ontario Nature’s role

Right now we have the best opportunity in 50 years to protect our provincial parks and close the door on industrial development.

With your help, we will see to it that the Ontario government moves forward to:

• Create a new Parks Act with a clear directive to protect the habitat for all animals and plants within park boundaries and guard against pollution;
• Prohibit any use of our parks that will adversely affect the natural systems and habitats and forbid industrial uses such as logging, mining, hydro-electric development and the construction of roads;
• Ensure that Ontario's 249 conservation reserves receive equal protection as provincial parks.

Here are some of our successes to date:

• In April 2005, Ontario Nature and its conservation partners met with Minister of Natural Resources David Ramsay to review the requirements for developing meaningful protected areas legislation for Ontario;
• In spring of 2005, the Ontario Parks Board of Directors released its findings on the Parks Act review entitled “Fulfilling the Promise”. Copies of this report can be viewed or downloaded from the Ontario Parks website at www.ontarioparks.com;
• In July 2005, Ontario Nature delivered over 2,300 postcards from our members to Premier Dalton McGuinty at Queen’s Park, supporting the need for strengthened and meaningful protected areas legislation.

What you can do

Ontario's protected areas are home to more than 50 native species of animals and plants that are currently endangered - without a stronger Parks Act, they are at risk of being lost forever!

The loss of mammals like the rare eastern wolves of Algonquin Park, the threatened woodland caribou and endangered plants including the wood poppy would be a tragedy for all of Ontario - and it would betray our own proud natural heritage.

With your continued help, Ontario Nature will play a major role in the creation of the new Act that will fully protect our parks and conservation reserves from industrial development and pollution.

There will be many opportunities in the coming months to voice your opinion about this issue. Bookmark this page and visit again soon to find out what you can do to help protect out parks. You can also become an Advocate for Nature and receive conservation Action Alerts by email.