Keep Ottawa Out Of Our River Valley
Sign the petition to Keep Ottawa Out Of Our River Valley:
5,587 signatures
Goal: 5,000 Signatures
Keep Ottawa Out Of Our River Valley
Ask Edmontonians what they are most proud of in their city and the inevitable answer is the River Valley.
Survey after survey comes up with that conclusion.
People love the River Valley that hugs both shores of the snake-like North Saskatchewan River and includes adjoining ravines and parks.
This largely protected green space is said to be the longest contiguous stretch of urban parkland in Canada.
It’s 7,300 hectares or 18,000 old-fashioned acres in size - 22 times larger than New York City’s famous Central Park.
It wasn’t always reserved as a green space.
Industry was common there from the 1840s, including lumber yards, brick-making operations, coal mines, gravel pits and dump sites.
The last coal mine in the River Valley was active well into the city’s most recent history - it operated until 1970.
Attitudes in the 1970s about the River Valley were changing though.
People valued green space over industry or development.
Plans for a freeway to be built in the McKinnon Ravine were even abandoned in 1974 due to a public outcry.
But, now there’s a new proposal for Edmonton’s River Valley that’s making headlines - a move to make it a "National Urban Park".
What is a National Urban Park, you ask?
Well, exactly what it sounds like - it's an urban park, just like what we have now, except nationalized.
Instead of Edmontonians being in charge, we'd be handing over control to the federal government.
Instead of Edmontonians making decisions about what happens in the park, Ottawa would be making the decisions.
Oh, and because it's the federal government, their "priorities" for these parks are "healthier communities", "climate resilience", "reconciliation", "equity", "diversity", and "inclusion".
In other words, pretty much everything except, you know. the actual park space itself.
Worse yet, longtime radical environmental activist Steven Guilbeault is the Cabinet Minister in charge of Parks Canada!
Do Edmontonians really want to allow Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and friends to have control over what happens in our backyard?
There’s an old expression that applies here: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
People love the River Valley in Edmonton as it exists now.
The current system protects green space while still allowing activities including golf, mountain biking, hiking, and the like.
The City has full control over the activities and developments that can occur there, meaning Edmontonians are in control.
There's no need for this "National Urban Park".
So, where exactly did this idea of handing over the River Valley to the federal government come from?
Well, the federal government has been pushing Parks Canada to expand their role from "traditional" national parks, into national urban parks, in order to expand their influence.
One has already been created in the GTA, with more being considered in Halifax, Windsor, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Victoria, Montreal, and Edmonton.
And who suggested the River Valley in Edmonton specifically?
No surprises for guessing that it was a Mayoral campaign promise by none other than Amarjeet Sohi who, prior to running for Mayor of course, was a federal Liberal cabinet minister!
That's right, essentially, the federal government themselves are suggesting that the federal government take over the management of our park.
And, some Councillors at least seem to support the idea.
Last month, City Councillors on the Urban Planning Committee voted to move ahead to the planning phase of establishing a national park in the river valley.
You see, the federal government offered the City some cash as part of the deal.
Not a lot, but apparently some Councillors can't resist the idea of getting their hands on more taxpayer money to spend on their own pet projects.
But, what price should we put on handing over control of the River Valley?
Council as a whole will get a vote on this issue after the summer break.
The City isn’t yet locked in to any decision just yet - they’re still exploring options.
But, let’s stop this before it starts.
If you agree that we should Keep Ottawa Out Of Our River Valley, please sign our petition now.
We will be personally presenting this petition to City Council so your voice is heard on this important issue.
Once you've signed, please share the petition with your friends, family, co-workers, and every Edmontonian, so they can make their voices heard too.
5,587 signatures
Goal: 5,000 Signatures
Keep Ottawa Out Of Our River Valley
Ask Edmontonians what they are most proud of in their city and the inevitable answer is the River Valley.
Survey after survey comes up with that conclusion.
People love the River Valley that hugs both shores of the snake-like North Saskatchewan River and includes adjoining ravines and parks.
This largely protected green space is said to be the longest contiguous stretch of urban parkland in Canada.
It’s 7,300 hectares or 18,000 old-fashioned acres in size - 22 times larger than New York City’s famous Central Park.
It wasn’t always reserved as a green space.
Industry was common there from the 1840s, including lumber yards, brick-making operations, coal mines, gravel pits and dump sites.
The last coal mine in the River Valley was active well into the city’s most recent history - it operated until 1970.
Attitudes in the 1970s about the River Valley were changing though.
People valued green space over industry or development.
Plans for a freeway to be built in the McKinnon Ravine were even abandoned in 1974 due to a public outcry.
But, now there’s a new proposal for Edmonton’s River Valley that’s making headlines - a move to make it a "National Urban Park".
What is a National Urban Park, you ask?
Well, exactly what it sounds like - it's an urban park, just like what we have now, except nationalized.
Instead of Edmontonians being in charge, we'd be handing over control to the federal government.
Instead of Edmontonians making decisions about what happens in the park, Ottawa would be making the decisions.
Oh, and because it's the federal government, their "priorities" for these parks are "healthier communities", "climate resilience", "reconciliation", "equity", "diversity", and "inclusion".
In other words, pretty much everything except, you know. the actual park space itself.
Worse yet, longtime radical environmental activist Steven Guilbeault is the Cabinet Minister in charge of Parks Canada!
Do Edmontonians really want to allow Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and friends to have control over what happens in our backyard?
There’s an old expression that applies here: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
People love the River Valley in Edmonton as it exists now.
The current system protects green space while still allowing activities including golf, mountain biking, hiking, and the like.
The City has full control over the activities and developments that can occur there, meaning Edmontonians are in control.
There's no need for this "National Urban Park".
So, where exactly did this idea of handing over the River Valley to the federal government come from?
Well, the federal government has been pushing Parks Canada to expand their role from "traditional" national parks, into national urban parks, in order to expand their influence.
One has already been created in the GTA, with more being considered in Halifax, Windsor, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Victoria, Montreal, and Edmonton.
And who suggested the River Valley in Edmonton specifically?
No surprises for guessing that it was a Mayoral campaign promise by none other than Amarjeet Sohi who, prior to running for Mayor of course, was a federal Liberal cabinet minister!
That's right, essentially, the federal government themselves are suggesting that the federal government take over the management of our park.
And, some Councillors at least seem to support the idea.
Last month, City Councillors on the Urban Planning Committee voted to move ahead to the planning phase of establishing a national park in the river valley.
You see, the federal government offered the City some cash as part of the deal.
Not a lot, but apparently some Councillors can't resist the idea of getting their hands on more taxpayer money to spend on their own pet projects.
But, what price should we put on handing over control of the River Valley?
Council as a whole will get a vote on this issue after the summer break.
The City isn’t yet locked in to any decision just yet - they’re still exploring options.
But, let’s stop this before it starts.
If you agree that we should Keep Ottawa Out Of Our River Valley, please sign our petition now.
We will be personally presenting this petition to City Council so your voice is heard on this important issue.
Once you've signed, please share the petition with your friends, family, co-workers, and every Edmontonian, so they can make their voices heard too.