Commons vote adds 17 sq. km to Rouge National Urban Park

Supporters of Rouge National Urban Park received good news Wednesday.

The House of Commonsapproved Bill C-18 legislation that adds over 17 square kilometresto the park andintroduces more protections forecosystems, wildlifeand working farmers in the eastern Toronto area.

"Rouge is a tremendous example of what we can do when we work together with the provincial government, with indigenous peoples, with environmentalists and including farmers,"Environment MinisterCatherine McKenna said in Ottawa.

Ecological integrity and visitor experience

This new legislation, which has been debated for almost fouryears,amends the Rouge National Urban Park Act.

But not all were in favour of this change.

Conservative MP Blake Richards, who was the only one to opposethe motion, told CBC News in a statementwhatconcerns him most is the bill's first priority,ecological integrity.

He argues this shouldn't be the park'sonly concern.

"Park's Canada's mandate is obviously to promote ecological integrity, but it is also to promote visitor experience," he said.

Richards represents the Banff-Airdrie area in Alberta, which encompasses Banff National Park.

Focusing too much on the environmental integrity of the park will detract from its role as a "guide to visitors," he said.

"There is a balance between ecological integrity and visitor experience a balance which needs to be maintained."

21 times the size of Central Park

But McKenna maintains this decision is one that benefits both the environment and park users.

• Make Rouge National Urban Park 10,000 acres larger, advocates urge Ottawa

"We're talking about a national park that is 21 times the size of Central Park in New Yorkwhere we'll be protecting the ecosystems,as well as wildlife, and where working farmers will continue to grow crops, and in fact will be able to teach visitors and Canadians more about the food we grow and eat," she said.