The Gatineau Park Master Plan is a document that guides the long-term planning, use and management of Gatineau Park. It is reviewed every 10 years, to ensure that it takes into account past experience, new issues and regulations, and international best practices in the management of natural environments. The plan was last refreshed in 2005.



The latest on the review process

The NCC is in the final stage of updating the Gatineau Park Master Plan. The final phase of consultation in the review process ended on September 20, 2020. The feedback collected during this phase will be taken into account in drafting the final version of the plan which will be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval in January 2021. A report that summarizes participant feedback will be published on our website. Over the previous consultation phases, the first of which was launched in 2017, there have been several opportunities to contribute to the direction of this plan. Public input collected during each phase of consultation is summarized in a report, available here.

What remains the same?

Despite significant changes, the revised master plan will reconfirm the following elements from the 2005 plan: Gatineau Park’s core identity remains as the National Capital Region’s conservation park. (p.21)

Internal and external ecological connectivity remains a central pillar of the plan. It continues to promote links between the Park and other natural spaces, and to protect the quality of internal natural habitats. (section 4.1, p.34-36)

Gatineau Park is a place to experience the outdoors in a manner that respects the environment. (section 3.2, p.29)

The plan continues to pursue transportation alternatives that aim to increase equitable access to the Park, and limit the impact of vehicles on the visitor experience, wildlife and user safety. (section 3.3, p.31)

The plan reaffirms the NCC's intent to review the Park’s fee structure, to make access more equitable, support conservation initiatives, and cover costs related to maintenance and improving the Park’s recreational offerings. (section 5.4.4, p.60)

What's new in the plan?

You’ll find below a summary of some of the important changes we’ve made to the plan as part of the review process. We’ve included links to the relevant parts of the plan, should you want to learn more about the details of each initiative.

Conservation

Protect the ecological corridors and other environmentally significant properties that surround the Park. (section 5.1.5, p.46 + p.37)

Seize opportunities to expand the Park’s boundaries by including significant NCC lands next to Gatineau Park. (p.37)

Restrict public access to the Eardley Escarpment and the area west of the Eardley-Masham Road, to protect vulnerable habitats in this conservation zone. (p.68)

In partnership with users, relocate the snowmobile trail at Curley Lake to a proposed recreational corridor along the Eardley-Masham Road. (p.71, p.79: policy #4)

Nature experience

Equitable and sustainable access

Engagement and collaboration

Establish a road map for reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. (section 5.4.1, p.59)

Embrace a cultural shift toward sharing the responsibilities of Park stewardship, maintenance and conservation with users and partners. (section 5.4.2 & 5.4.3, p.59)

Limit marketing initiatives to messaging about user education and conservation, except in the case of camping, to ensure that traffic to and within the Park remains sustainable and supports positive visitor experiences. (section 5.4.3, p.59)

Full draft plan

The process to date

The latest review of the Gatineau Park Master Plan has taken place in four stages. Public engagement has been an important part of this process from the very beginning. To date, the Gatineau Park Master Plan review has included 13 public consultations in Ottawa, Gatineau, Chelsea, La Pêche, and Pontiac

4 meetings with the Public Advisory Committee

5 online questionnaires

several meetings with representatives from Algonquin Anishinaabe communities

1 dedicated Urbanism Lab session

more than a dozen meetings with local municipalities, elected officials and stakeholder groups The feedback provided by participants has informed the drafting of the plan at every stage of the process. Public input collected during each of phase of public consultation is summarized in a report, available here.