Windsor man's petition calls for Ojibway to become a national park

A Windsor man would like to see Ojibway Park turned into a national park and he is hoping a petition can help achieve that aim.

Chris Leighton is concerned about how a potential big box development will affect the park that exists today. And he believes that if Ojibway were to become a national park, it would be better protected.

"When we look at the whole picture with the Herb Gray Parkway being built and the loss of habitat...for animals, wildlife and plants, it seems even more pressing that we need to preserve the Ojibway parkland,"Leighton told CBC News in a telephone interview on Tuesday afternoon.

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He started an online petition this week which has already garnered support from hundreds ofpeople.

"Ojibway is a unique urban park and it should stay that way,"said Leighton.

Leighton said he has contacted the office of Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna.

Caitlin Workman, a spokeswoman for the minister, told CBC News that the ministry was aware of the petition that Leighton has started.

She noted there is no formal proposal on the matter at the moment.

"The Government of Canada is committed to developing Canada's national parks system and help more Canadians experience Parks Canada places," Workman said.

"This natural region is currently represented in the national parks system through Point Pelee National Park and Rouge National Urban Park. Parks Canada is working to achieve the goal of establishing a system of national parks that represents each of Canada's 39 distinct natural regions."

Brian Masse, the MP for Windsor West, said he supports the idea of seeing Ojibway become a national park. But he said there are a series of steps that would need to occur, including acquiring other land that should also be protected.

"I think the number one thing right now is getting the acquisition of Ojibway Shores and then working together to create a wildlife corridor," Masse told CBC News in a telephone interview.