Letter to MPP Gretzky on Andrew Dowie’s motion for the Ojibway National Urban Park

September 8, 2022
Lisa Gretzky, MPP
Windsor-West
2443 Dougall Ave
Windsor, ON, N8X 1T3

Dear MPP Gretzky,

Thank you for your letter of Saturday, September 3^rd and your request for support of your Private Members Motion #1.

I will be undoubtedly supporting the aims and goals of your motion by tabling a second Private Members Motion that is nearly identical to your Motion #1, that supports the creation of Ojibway National Urban Park and integration of the Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve under Parks Canada management. This new motion has been discussed with my colleagues in the Progressive Conservative caucus, and it has secured their support. The motion reads as follows:

“That, in the opinion of this House, the Government of Ontario should consider integrating the Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve with adjacent lands under the management of Parks Canada to facilitate the creation of Ojibway National Urban Park as part of an overall strategy to protect local endangered species and natural heritage areas, aid flood mitigation efforts, create publicly accessible greenspace and further encourage ecotourism in Windsor-Essex.”

There is ample reason for all members of the legislature to support this motion in that it very clearly reinforces the government’s commitment to participate in the Parks Canada process to establish the Ojibway National Urban Park. This does not exclude otherwise viable land management models for the proposed urban park contained within the boundaries described by Bill C-248 as presented by Windsor West Member of Parliament Brian Masse.

Understanding that the early deadline assigned to you in which to table your Private Members’ motion was a barrier that prevented the consultation and collaboration with me and with the Minister, I would truly like to be part of opportunities to work with you in the future to confirm supportive language and achieve unanimous consent in the House.

Together, we remain Team Windsor, and I look forward to working together with you to find all opportunities for common ground and to achieve great things for the people of Windsor.

With warm regards,

Andrew Dowie, MPP

Windsor–Tecumseh