Federal funding paves way for Ojibway National Urban Park
Millions of dollars earmarked in Tuesday’s federal budget should allow the dream of Ojibway National Urban Park to become a reality.
The budget proposes $36.1 million over five years to kick-start the park and $4.6 million per year to keep it going.
“It’s big money,” Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk said.
“It’s a big commitment and what it means is we will have Ojibway national urban park by next summer, which is incredible.”
Kusmierczyk said details like park boundaries and governance still need to be worked out, but that Parks Canada will get the money needed to make it happen.
In March, Caldwell First Nation signed a memorandum of understanding with the agency to explore joint governance of the park.
Chief Mary Duckworth said the funding was welcome news.
People are seen walking on the Ojibway Trail on April 16, 2024. (Travis Fortnum/CTV News Windsor)Sentiments were echoed by other stakeholders, like grassroots advocacy group Friends of Ojibway Prairie.
“It’s fantastic. It’s so exciting,” said Mike Fisher, chair of the group. “When you see that investment, it gives that great sense that this is happening. This is coming to fruition.”
Fisher has been an “official” friend of the park sine 2016, but work towards the National Urban Park designation started years before that.
Kusmierczyk said it’s because of advocates like Fisher and Windsor West MP Brian Masse, the wish looks to be coming true.
“When you’ve got champions like Brian Masse, who’s been fighting for years, this is what happens,” said Kusmierczyk
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6978490.1721989018!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Canadian Olympic Committee CEO says soccer coach Bev Priestman likely aware of spying
Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive officer David Shoemaker says the head coach of the national women's soccer team was likely aware drones were used to spy on another team's practices in France.
Arson attacks paralyze French high-speed rail network hours before start of Olympics
France's high-speed rail network was hit Friday with widespread and "criminal" acts of vandalism including arson attacks, paralyzing travel to Paris from across the rest of France and Europe only hours before the grand opening ceremony of the Olympics.
DEVELOPING Recent rain, cooler weather limiting spread of wildfires in Jasper National Park
Cool and wet weather is making a difference in Jasper National Park.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Stay inside, filter indoor air amid wildfire smoke, respirologist says
A Calgary respirologist is advising people to regularly check the outdoor air quality and stay inside as smoke from the Jasper wildfires blows into other parts of Alberta and possibly beyond.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.