MASSE CALLS ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TRANSFER OJIBWAY SHORES TO ENVIRONMENT CANADA
Brian Masse MP (Windsor West) called on the Federal Government to transfer stewardship over Ojibway Shores from the Windsor Port Authority (WPA) to Environment Canada.
Ojibway Shores is a 33 acre parcel of land owned by the Federal government currently under the management of the Windsor Port Authority. Environmentalists in the region agree that Ojibway Shores is extremely significant environmental land providing habitat rare fauna and flora as well as species-at-risk.
After failed attempts to develop the property for commercial interests the WPA has proposed publicly that it would lease the property for $10M over 30 years. The Port wants to be compensated through the Community Benefits fund that is proposed for the Gordie Howe International Bridge. This fund is meant to offset economic and environmental degradation of Sandwich Towne and the broader community related to the border.
Masse responded to the WPA proposal: “Ojibway Shores must be protected but the suggestion that Community Benefits meant to mitigate the significant impacts of hosting crucial international border infrastructure in an historic neighbourhood should be used to acquire land the public already owns is in a word – offensive. Those funds are intended to be spent on restoring neighbourhoods like Sandwich Towne. The WPA’s suggestion is predatory and I do not believe their proposals not acting as a responsible community partner in making this suggestion.”
Masse has written the federal government outlining a plan to transfer stewardship of Ojibway Shores to Environment Canada, where it can be managed by a Department equipped to exercise appropriate stewardship over land holding critical environmental significance: “I am proposing that the federal government remove Ojibway Shores from under the management of the Windsor Port Authority and move it to Environment Canada. This is a simple administrative process that could happen quite easily and would cost the community nothing. The benefits for the Government, the community and even the Port are immeasurable. Environment Canada is the proper steward given the resources at its disposal that will protect Ojibway Shores’ biodiversity.”
Masse argued in the House: “Port Authorities across Canada are steward of public lands. Simple fact, simple truth – it (Ojibway Shores) belongs to the people.” Masse stated during debate on C-344.
Summary of Process for Transferring Ojibway Shores from the Windsor Port Authority to Environment Canada
- Minister of Transport notifies Windsor Port Authority Board of Directors of his intention to remove Ojibway Shores from WPA management. Provides a timeline for WPA response.
- Minister of Transport issues supplementary letters of patent amending the letters of patent of the WPA legally removing Ojibway Shores from WPA management.
- Minister of Transport makes formal request to the Minister of the Environment to transfer management of Ojibway Shores to Environment Canada.
- Transfer legally proceeds though either the Minister or Governor in Council and must be endorsed by either the Treasury Board President or the Minister of Justice. After the transfer process is complete Ojibway Shores would fall under the jurisdiction of Environment Canada where program funds and resources could be devoted to protecting and studying the land.
