Bill S-229 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the National Capital Act (Gatineau Park)
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 45th Parliament, 1st Session. MP vote breakdowns appear when the House of Commons publishes a recorded division export for that bill. Senate and House stage details include official debate/sitting links when LEGISinfo publishes them.
Our plain-language take, written for civic education.
Source: By PoliticalData.ca
Bill S-229 amends the National Capital Act to formally establish Gatineau Park's boundaries, prioritize its ecological integrity, restrict land sales, strengthen consultation with Indigenous peoples and municipalities, authorize regulations for park management, and empower the National Capital Commission to prepare a master plan.
Bill S-229, called the Gatineau Park Act, amends the National Capital Act to establish a clearer legal framework for managing Gatineau Park. The bill formally defines Gatineau Park's boundaries and recognizes it as dedicated to all Canadians, including the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation, for their benefit, education and enjoyment. It makes the protection of the park's ecological integrity the first priority in all management decisions. The bill requires the National Capital Commission (NCC) to prepare a master plan within 10 years that includes a long-term ecological vision, ecological integrity objectives and indicators, and provisions for resource protection, zoning, visitor use, and public awareness. The plan must be tabled in Parliament and reviewed at least every 10 years. The bill strengthens consultation requirements. The NCC must provide public participation opportunities at national, regional and local levels, including with the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation and Gatineau Park residents. The NCC must also consult with adjacent municipalities and Algonquin governing bodies and report publicly on their recommendations. Public lands in the park cannot be sold, except to Algonquin Anishinabeg organizations for health, social, or cultural services, or to federal, provincial, or municipal authorities for public health facilities or infrastructure. If lands are no longer used for their intended purpose, they revert to the NCC. The bill allows the federal government to make regulations controlling activities and resource use in the park, setting fees for services and permits, and managing the park's ecological integrity. Fees cannot exceed the cost of providing services. The bill authorizes the Minister to designate enforcement officers from federal, provincial, municipal, or Algonquin Anishinabeg bodies to enforce the Act and its regulations. It encourages the NCC to consider using businesses and workers from the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation for maintenance and conservation work. The bill updates the definition of National Capital Region and makes consequential changes to many other federal laws to replace references to "the schedule to the National Capital Act" with "Schedule 1." A new Schedule 2 is added with detailed descriptions of Gatineau Park's boundaries, including sections in the City of Gatineau, the Municipality of Chelsea, the Municipality of Pontiac, and the Municipality of La Pêche in Quebec.
- Establishes the formal legal boundaries of Gatineau Park through a detailed description in Schedule 2 of the Act
- Declares Gatineau Park dedicated to the people of Canada, including the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation, for their benefit, education and enjoyment, and to be maintained unimpaired for future generations
- Makes maintenance of ecological integrity the first priority of the National Capital Commission when managing all aspects of Gatineau Park
- Requires the National Capital Commission to prepare a Gatineau Park Master Plan within 10 years containing an ecological vision, integrity objectives, and provisions for resource protection, restoration, zoning, visitor use, and public awareness
- Requires the National Capital Commission to review the Master Plan at least every 10 years and table amendments in Parliament
- Requires the National Capital Commission to provide public participation opportunities at national, regional and local levels, including participation by the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation and park residents
- Requires the National Capital Commission to consult with adjacent municipalities and Algonquin Anishinabeg governing bodies and publicly demonstrate that their recommendations were considered
- Prohibits disposal or granting of rights or interests in public lands in the park, with narrow exceptions for Algonquin Anishinabeg organizations (for health, social, or cultural services) and government authorities (for public health facilities or infrastructure)
- Requires that public lands reverting from private use back to their intended public purpose revert to the National Capital Commission
- Prohibits use or occupation of public lands in the park except as permitted by the National Capital Commission or regulations
- Authorizes the Governor in Council to make regulations restricting or prohibiting activities, controlling resource use, setting fees and issuing permits for the park, and managing ecological integrity
- Requires that any fees, rates, rents or charges cannot exceed the cost to the National Capital Commission of providing the services
- Authorizes the Minister to designate enforcement officers from federal, provincial, municipal or Algonquin Anishinabeg bodies to enforce the Act and regulations, with peace officer powers and protections
- Authorizes the Minister to designate persons to enforce the Act as contraventions under the Contraventions Act
- Encourages the National Capital Commission to consider using services from businesses and workers of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation for maintenance and conservation work in the park
- Allows the Governor in Council to enlarge Gatineau Park through order-in-council if the Crown has title to additional lands
- Provides that park boundaries cannot be reduced except following a court finding that the Crown does not have title to certain lands
- Updates the definition of National Capital Region to reference Schedule 1
- Updates references in many federal Acts from 'the schedule to the National Capital Act' to 'Schedule 1 to the National Capital Act'
- All Canadians who visit or use Gatineau Park for recreation, education, or enjoyment
- The Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation, which is explicitly recognized as having interests in the park located on their unceded traditional lands and is granted consultation rights and opportunities to participate in park governance
- The National Capital Commission, which is given new duties to prioritize ecological integrity, prepare and maintain a master plan, consult with Indigenous peoples and municipalities, and manage the park according to new regulatory powers
- Federal, provincial, and municipal governments and authorities, which must consult with the National Capital Commission on land use and resource management decisions and can be designated as enforcers
- Businesses and workers from the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation, who are encouraged to be considered for maintenance and conservation contracts with the National Capital Commission
- Adjacent municipalities to Gatineau Park (Chelsea, La Pêche, Pontiac, and the City of Gatineau in Quebec), which gain formal consultation rights and must have their recommendations considered
- Current and future landholders in or near Gatineau Park, whose rights to use and access public lands are restricted by the park's management regulations
- People who violate park regulations, who may be subject to enforcement action by designated officers from various government levels or Algonquin Anishinabeg bodies
- The National Capital Commission must make ecological integrity the first priority in all park management decisions
- The National Capital Commission must prepare a Master Plan for Gatineau Park within 10 years of the section coming into force
- The National Capital Commission must review the Master Plan at least every 10 years and table amendments in Parliament
- The National Capital Commission must provide public participation opportunities at national, regional and local levels, including with Algonquin Anishinabeg peoples and park residents
- The National Capital Commission must consult with adjacent municipalities and Algonquin Anishinabeg governing bodies on park management matters and demonstrate in a public report that their recommendations were considered
- The National Capital Commission must consider using services from Algonquin Anishinabeg businesses and workers for park maintenance and conservation
- Public lands in Gatineau Park cannot be sold or have rights granted on them except for specific exceptions (Algonquin organizations for health/social/cultural services, or government authorities for public health/infrastructure)
- People have the right to use or occupy public lands in Gatineau Park only as permitted by the Commission or regulations
- The Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation and Gatineau Park residents have the right to participate in development of regulations, Master Plans, and land use planning
- Adjacent municipalities have the right to be consulted on park management matters and have their recommendations considered
- The Governor in Council has the power to make regulations restricting or prohibiting park activities, controlling resource use, setting fees, and managing ecological integrity
- The Governor in Council may enlarge Gatineau Park by amending Schedule 2 if the Crown has title to additional lands
- Enforcement officers designated under the Act have peace officer powers to enforce the Act and regulations
- The National Capital Commission has 10 years from the date this section comes into force to prepare the first Gatineau Park Master Plan (exact commencement date of the bill is not specified in the text provided)
- The National Capital Commission must review the Master Plan at least every 10 years and table amendments in Parliament
- The bill text does not specify the date the Act comes into force overall
- The National Capital Commission may determine fees, rates, rents and other charges for the use of Gatineau Park resources, facilities and services and for issuing permits and licences, but these fees cannot exceed the cost to the Commission of providing the services
- The National Capital Commission may pay grants to adjacent municipalities to compensate for loss of municipal and school tax revenue resulting from the Crown's acquisition of property in Gatineau Park
- Businesses and workers of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation may benefit economically from being considered for maintenance and conservation contracts, but this is discretionary with the Commission
- The Minister may designate enforcement officers from federal, provincial, municipal or Algonquin Anishinabeg bodies who have peace officer powers to enforce the Act and its regulations
- The Minister may designate persons to enforce the Act as contraventions under the Contraventions Act (which allows for ticketing and other non-criminal enforcement methods)
- The Governor in Council may prescribe punishment by regulation for contraventions of Gatineau Park regulations on summary conviction, but not exceeding the limits set out in subsection 787(1) of the Criminal Code (which currently allows fines up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months for summary conviction)
- No specific penalties are named in this bill; detailed penalties will be set out in future regulations to be made by the Governor in Council
- The bill does not specify which businesses, services, or workers of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation will be prioritized for maintenance and conservation work; it only states the National Capital Commission 'must also consider' calling upon their services, leaving discretion with the NCC
- The bill does not define what activities will be restricted or prohibited in the park or what fees will be charged; these details are to be established through future regulations by the Governor in Council
- The timeline for the first Master Plan is 10 years from the date the section comes into force, but the bill text provided does not explicitly state when that date is (the commencement date of the bill itself is not specified in the text)
- The bill does not specify criteria or procedures for the National Capital Commission to determine what constitutes adequate public consultation or how municipalities' and Algonquin Nations' recommendations will be evaluated and incorporated
- The bill does not detail the specific ecological integrity objectives and indicators that must be included in the Master Plan; these will be determined by the National Capital Commission
- The bill does not specify which lands the Crown currently has title to within or adjacent to Gatineau Park, so it is unclear to what extent the park could be enlarged
- The bill does not detail enforcement procedures, penalties for violations, or which specific offences will be designated as contraventions under the Contraventions Act
- The bill does not specify whether the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation will have decision-making authority in park management or only consultation and participation rights
- The bill does not address how conflicts between ecological integrity protection and other uses (such as recreation) will be resolved
The bill amends the National Capital Act by adding new sections establishing Gatineau Park as a protected area with ecological integrity as its first management priority, requiring a master plan, strengthening consultation with Indigenous peoples and municipalities, prohibiting public land sales with limited exceptions, and authorizing regulations for park management and enforcement.
The bill references subsection 787(1) of the Criminal Code to set maximum penalties for contraventions of regulations made under the amended National Capital Act. Penalties for violating park regulations cannot exceed the summary conviction limits set out in the Criminal Code.
The bill allows the Minister to designate enforcement officers to enforce the National Capital Act and its Gatineau Park regulations as contraventions under the Contraventions Act, a procedure that may use ticketing and other non-criminal enforcement methods.
Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.
Official textParliamentary Process
Bill S-229, concerning amendments to the National Capital Act regarding Gatineau Park, completed first and second readings in the Senate and was referred to a committee.
This artifact describes the procedural steps for Bill S-229, An Act to amend the National Capital Act (Gatineau Park), in the Senate. It details that the bill completed its first reading on June 10, 2025, and its second reading on June 12, 2025. Major speeches related to the second reading occurred on specific dates in 2025 and 2026. The bill was referred to a committee on April 15, 2026, and is currently at that stage. A similar bill, S-289, was introduced in a previous Parliament.
The Senate debated issues related to child benefits, sterilization consent, and a private insurance merger bill, with discussions on policy implementation and ethical considerations.
The Senate debate focused on several key issues. First, the Hon. David M. Wells raised concerns about the Canada Child Benefit and Canada Child Tax Credit, emphasizing the need for clarity in implementation. The Hon. Scott Tannas responded by highlighting the government's efforts to improve the system. Later, the debate shifted to Bill S-228, which addresses sterilization without consent, with senators discussing its implications for vulnerable populations. A private bill, S-1001, was also debated, involving a merger of insurance companies. Senator Tannas declared a private interest in this bill. Finally, a motion was proposed to refer certain documents to the Ethics Committee for review.
Bill S-229, concerning Gatineau Park, completed its second reading in the Senate and was sent to committee, following related speeches and debates.
This artifact details the progression of Bill S-229, an Act to amend the National Capital Act concerning Gatineau Park, through the Senate. The bill completed its second reading stage on April 15, 2026, and was subsequently referred to a committee for further consideration. Speeches related to the second reading occurred on multiple dates, including April 15, 2026, with a response speech given by Senator Yonah Martin.
During a Senate sitting on June 12, 2025, senators discussed various government policies, advanced several bills through debate and committee referral, and approved motions related to future committee work.
On June 12, 2025, the Senate met and conducted various business. This included tabling of documents, first readings of new bills, and question period where senators discussed topics such as cabinet minister competence, Parks Canada policies, housing affordability, gender-based discrimination, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, AI funding, youth mental health, the Canadian Coast Guard, military procurement, climate change adaptation, Canada-China relations, government procurement, and the F-35 acquisition. The Senate also passed several motions to resolve into Committees of the Whole to consider the subject matter of Bills C-4 and C-5. Debate continued on the Speech from the Throne, and several bills were debated at second reading, including those related to sickle cell disease, warning labels on alcoholic beverages, restricting online access to pornography, sports betting advertising, national immigration month, the use of the "notwithstanding" clause, Gatineau Park, soil health, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act. The Senate then adjourned.
The Senate debated and adopted a motion to protect Canada's supply management system for dairy, poultry, and eggs, while discussing separate proposals to strengthen soil health and agricultural trade policies.
The Senate debated several bills on June 12, 2025, focusing on agricultural policy. Key topics included: 1. Bill C-202 (soil health): A motion to amend the Agriculture Act to establish a national soil health strategy. The debate emphasized the importance of soil for food security, climate resilience, and long-term agricultural planning. Supporters highlighted the need for government-led initiatives and collaboration with stakeholders. 2. Bill C-202 (supply management): A motion to protect Canada's supply management system for dairy, poultry, and eggs. The discussion centered on maintaining food security, supporting small-scale farmers, and countering large corporate imports. Quebec's support for the system was noted, with references to international trade agreements like CUSMA. 3. Bill C-282: A separate motion to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act to strengthen supply management. The debate included arguments about balancing domestic interests with global trade obligations. The Senate adopted the motion for Bill C-202 (supply management) unanimously, reflecting cross-party support for protecting Canada's agricultural system.
During the second reading debate on Bill S-229, Senator Cardozo emphasized the need to protect Gatineau Park by legislating it as a national park to ensure its long-term preservation and ecological integrity.
On October 21, 2025, the Senate continued its second reading debate on Bill S-229, An Act to amend the National Capital Act (Gatineau Park). Senator Andrew Cardozo spoke in favour of the bill, highlighting the importance of Gatineau Park as a natural and recreational space and advocating for its formal inclusion in federal legislation. He suggested that enshrining the park as a national park would protect its ecological integrity and ensure its preservation for future generations. The debate included discussions on the current ownership and management of the park by the National Capital Commission and the potential implications of making it a national park.
During the Senate sitting on February 5, 2026, Bill S-229, concerning Gatineau Park, was listed for continued debate at second reading, but no specific discussion on the bill occurred in the provided text.
On February 5, 2026, the Senate completed its second reading stage for Bill S-229, an Act to amend the National Capital Act concerning Gatineau Park. The sitting included various Senate proceedings such as Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and the consideration of other government business and bills. Notably, there was no debate specifically on Bill S-229 during this particular sitting, as indicated by the record showing "Second Reading—Debate Continued" for this bill, meaning the debate on it was adjourned to a future date.
The Senate held its second reading debate on Bill S-229 concerning Gatineau Park, alongside other legislative and topical discussions.
On April 15, 2026, the Senate of Canada convened for a sitting that included debates on several bills and discussions on various topics. The Senate debated Bill S-229, an Act to amend the National Capital Act (Gatineau Park), at its second reading. Discussions also occurred on Bill C-18 (Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation Bill) and Bill S-209 (Protecting Young Persons from Exposure to Pornography Bill). Additionally, there were inquiries and statements on topics such as Autism Acceptance Month, food security in the North, the Artwork and Heritage Collection, and support for Ukraine. Several documents were also tabled, including Charter Statements for Bills C-8 and C-9.
During the Senate's second reading debate of Bill S-229 on April 15, 2026, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition raised concerns about the bill's balance of conservation, public access, and fiscal responsibility, noting previous failed attempts to pass similar legislation.
On April 15, 2026, during the Senate's second reading debate of Bill S-229 (An Act to amend the National Capital Act (Gatineau Park)), Senator Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) spoke against the bill. He acknowledged the bill's sponsor, Senator Rosa Galvez, and expressed concerns about whether the legislation adequately balances conservation, public access, fiscal responsibility, and jurisdictional clarity. Martin noted that similar bills have been introduced multiple times in previous parliaments but often failed due to adjournments or elections. He emphasized the need for careful scrutiny of the bill's provisions during committee review. The debate focused on the practicality and sustainability of the proposed amendments to Gatineau Park's management. No vote was taken at this stage, as the bill was still in the second reading phase.
Bill S-229, concerning amendments to the National Capital Act related to Gatineau Park, is currently undergoing consideration in a Senate committee.
The Senate is currently considering Bill S-229, An Act to amend the National Capital Act (Gatineau Park), in committee. The bill was referred to a committee on April 15, 2026, after its first reading on June 10, 2025, and second reading on June 12, 2025. There has been no specific activity recorded at the committee stage itself.
Bill S-229, concerning Gatineau Park amendments to the National Capital Act, has reached the Senate Report stage but has not yet been considered at that procedural point, with its latest activity being a referral to committee.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-229, An Act to amend the National Capital Act (Gatineau Park), within the Senate. The bill has reached the 'Senate: Report stage' but has not yet been considered at this stage. The latest procedural activity noted is its referral to committee on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Key dates include first reading on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, and second reading on Thursday, June 12, 2025, with related speeches occurring on various dates in 2025 and 2026. The artifact also notes a similar bill, S-289, introduced in a previous Parliament.
Bill S-229, concerning Gatineau Park amendments, is awaiting Senate Third Reading and is currently under committee consideration.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-229, concerning amendments to the National Capital Act related to Gatineau Park. The bill has not yet reached the Third Reading stage in the Senate and is currently under consideration by a committee. The record details the bill's progression through First and Second Reading, noting the dates of these events and listing key speeches made during the Second Reading phase. It also mentions similar bills introduced in a previous parliamentary session.
Bill S-229, concerning Gatineau Park, has been documented as reaching first reading in the House of Commons, though this stage is marked as not yet reached, while the bill is currently under consideration in a Senate committee.
This record indicates that Bill S-229, an Act to amend the National Capital Act concerning Gatineau Park, has reached the first reading stage in the House of Commons. However, the 'Stage state' is marked as 'Not reached', meaning this procedural step has not yet occurred. The bill's current status is 'At consideration in committee in the Senate', with its latest activity being a referral to a Senate committee on April 15, 2026. First reading in the House of Commons was scheduled for June 10, 2025, and second reading for June 12, 2025.
This record shows Bill S-229's procedural status in the House of Commons second reading stage, noting it has not yet been reached, while its current progression is in committee in the Senate.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-229, An Act to amend the National Capital Act (Gatineau Park), specifically within the House of Commons' second reading stage. The text indicates that this stage has not yet been reached. It also provides information about the bill's current status in the Senate, which is 'At consideration in committee in the Senate', and details previous actions like first and second readings in both the Senate and House of Commons, including dates and major speeches associated with these stages. Additionally, it references a similar bill, S-289, introduced in a previous parliamentary session.
Bill S-229, concerning amendments to the National Capital Act regarding Gatineau Park, has not yet reached the committee stage in the House of Commons, though it has advanced through earlier readings in the Senate.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-229 in the House of Commons. The bill is currently at the 'Consideration in committee' stage, but this stage has not yet been reached. The record notes the bill's progression through earlier stages in the Senate, including first and second readings, and lists dates for major speeches related to the second reading. It also mentions a similar bill, S-289, from a previous parliamentary session.
Bill S-229, concerning amendments to the National Capital Act related to Gatineau Park, has not yet reached the Report stage in the House of Commons and is currently under consideration in a Senate committee.
This artifact indicates that the House of Commons Report stage for Bill S-229 has not yet been reached. The bill is currently at the consideration in committee stage in the Senate. Information is provided on previous readings and speeches in the Senate.
The House of Commons Third Reading stage for Bill S-229 has not been reached, as the bill is currently under committee consideration in the Senate.
This artifact indicates that the House of Commons Third Reading stage for Bill S-229 has not yet been reached. The bill, titled 'An Act to amend the National Capital Act (Gatineau Park)', is currently at the consideration in committee stage in the Senate. The record shows the bill's progression through its first and second readings in the Senate, including dates and references to major speeches during the second reading, and its referral to a Senate committee. It also notes a similar bill, S-289, from a previous parliamentary session.
Debate and sitting links point to official parliamentary sources when LEGISinfo publishes them. Any plain-language discussion summaries should be generated from those official texts and reviewed before public display.
Vote Summary
This bill is still active. We only show vote counts after the legislature publishes a recorded division.
No published representative vote breakdown
This bill is still moving through the process. When a recorded division is published, representative positions can be listed here.
Official sources
Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.
How this data is sourced