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6 new provincial parks (or additions to existing parks) and 3 new conservation reserves were recently named in the Ottawa River watershed. Click here to see the complete list.
TORONTO — The McGuinty government is supporting a cleaner natural environment and healthier Ontario families by adding a further 400,000 acres to the parks and protected areas system, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay announced today.
“Our provincial parks provide the people of Ontario with enormous benefits, including cleaner air and water, habitat for endangered species, and places to go for hiking, canoeing, camping and other outdoor activities,” said Ramsay. “By formally regulating these 28 parks and conservation reserves as part of the system, we’re also ensuring permanent protection for important natural features and giving a boost to Ontario’s outdoor recreation and tourism potential.”
Some of the newly regulated parks and conservation areas feature eagle nesting sites, world-class canoe routes, provincially significant landforms, moose habitat and fish sanctuaries.
The regulation of the 16 parks under the Provincial Parks Act and the 12 conservation reserves under the Public Lands Act formally excludes them from activities such as forestry, mineral exploration and mining, and hydropower development.
The ministry is updating regulation exception notices on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry regarding the regulation of these protected areas. To view the notices, click here.
Regulating parks and conservation reserves is just one way the McGuinty government is working to protect Ontario’s natural heritage and support a cleaner natural environment. Other initiatives include: