Gatineau Park: Mayor presents Chelsea's position to the Senate on Bill S-229

Summary

On Thursday, October 1, Mayor Brian Nolan appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources (ENEV), which is studying Bill S-229, An Act to amend the National Capital Act (Gatineau Park). Chelsea supports the goal of stronger legal protection for the Park. The Mayor made three requests so that this protection is achieved in partnership with the municipalities at its gateways: clear boundaries, a permanent seat at the table with the National Capital Commission (NCC), and consideration of the impacts on municipalities.

 

Why the mayor spoke up

More than 60% of Chelsea's territory—over 70 square kilometres—is owned by the NCC. Few municipalities live as closely with the Park.

"The Park is therefore not simply adjacent to Chelsea. It is an integral part of our municipality and of the daily lives of our residents," the Mayor said.

He noted that protecting the Park is a priority the Municipality fully shares. In its Official Plan adopted in 2022, Chelsea designated four ecological corridors to facilitate wildlife movement between the Park and surrounding habitats. In collaboration with Action Chelsea for the Respect of the Environment (ACRE), the Municipality is also working toward conserving 30% of its territory located outside the Park.

The Mayor also recognized the importance of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation in discussions surrounding the future and protection of the Park.

 

What Bill S-229 proposes

Introduced in the Senate by Senator Rosa Galvez, the Bill aims to give Gatineau Park stronger legislative protection and to define its boundaries in federal legislation, in Schedule 2. It is currently under study in committee.

The Bill already provides for consultation with neighbouring municipalities and for certain exceptions regarding public infrastructure. The Municipality welcomed both, while asking that they go further.

 

Chelsea's three requests

1. Clear boundaries. That the Bill clearly distinguish the Park from private properties and from provincial and municipal lands located within the perimeter described in Schedule 2, unless an agreement or appropriate legal mechanism provides for their inclusion. And that municipalities be consulted before any future change to the Park boundaries that would incorporate new lands within their territory.
2. A permanent role for municipalities. That neighbouring municipalities have a permanent mechanism for consultation and representation with the NCC. The mayors of Gatineau and Ottawa already sit on the NCC's Board of Directors as non-voting members. The Mayor proposes a similar mechanism for the municipalities directly bordering the Park, possibly through their mayors or the Warden of the MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais.
3. Taking impacts into account. That decisions on land acquisitions, Park access and infrastructure consider their financial, territorial and operational impacts on the municipalities concerned.

 

A partnership that must be fair

Like all municipalities in Quebec, Chelsea relies heavily on property taxes to fund its services. Each new land acquisition by the NCC can further reduce that tax base, particularly when the land lies within or near the urban perimeter. The Mayor cited the 2024 acquisition of the former Dunnderosa Golf Club property as one example.

"I am not raising this issue to challenge conservation. Quite the opposite. I raise it because protecting the Park also depends on strong communities that can maintain their roads, infrastructure, and public services."

The same principle applies to infrastructure. In Chelsea, roads, networks and active transportation infrastructure cross or run alongside federal properties. The Municipality is asking that the exceptions provided in the Bill allow necessary municipal work to proceed without unreasonable delays or administrative obstacles.

Finally, decisions on access, trails, parking and fees directly affect residents, who use the Park every day. Communities at the Park's gateways should have a meaningful voice when those decisions are made.

 

Next steps

The ENEV Committee is continuing its study of the Bill and will then report back to the Senate. If passed by the Senate, the Bill will go to the House of Commons, where it will follow a similar process before it can become law. The Municipality will continue to follow the file and will provide updates at key stages.

"Chelsea wants to be a partner in protecting Gatineau Park," the Mayor concluded. "Protecting the Park and listening to the communities that live at its gateways are two responsibilities that go hand in hand."

 

Learn more

• Video of the committee meeting
• Bill S-229 on LEGISinfo

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This page was last updated on October 6, 2026