MPP Andrew Dowie to Present Bill 26: Expanding Access to Nature and Adventure in Ontario’s Parks
October 20, 2025
WINDSOR–TECUMSEH — Andrew Dowie, Member of Provincial Parliament for Windsor–Tecumseh, will present Bill 26, the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Amendment Act, 2025, for Second Reading debate in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
This proposed legislation amends the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 to introduce two new classes of provincial parks:
- Urban Class Parks: Aimed at improving access to compatible nature-based recreation in or near urban centres.
- Adventure Class Parks: Designed to offer opportunities for outdoor recreational activities that may involve alterations to the natural environment, such as rock climbing, tree-top trekking, mountain biking, and the use of snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicles.
The Bill also authorizes the creation of future classes of parks through regulation.
“This legislation is about making Ontario’s natural spaces more inclusive and dynamic,” said MPP Dowie. “Whether you’re seeking peaceful green space close to home or thrilling outdoor adventures, Bill 26 opens new possibilities for how we experience our parks.”
If passed at Second Reading, Bill 26 will be referred to the Standing Committee on the Interior for further review and public input.
The text of the bill can be found at https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-44/session-1/bill-26
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