Published Mar 08, 2025 • Last updated Mar 10, 2025 • 4 minute read
MP Irek Kusmierczyk, from left, Caldwell First Nation Chief Nikki van Oirschot, Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara and Steven Guilbeault, federal minister of environment and climate change, celebrate the establishment of Ojibway National Urban Park Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Windsor’s Ojibway Nature Centre. Photo by Julie Kotsis /Windsor StarIt’s official.
Steven Guilbeault, federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced Saturday Windsor will see an Ojibway National Urban Park open this year.
“We’re officially establishing the national park, which many partners here, the City of Windsor, First Nations, (MP) Irek (Kusmierczyk) and many others have worked on for many, many years now,” Guilbeault said during a ceremony at the Ojibway Nature Centre. “It will become a reality. It will become a new national urban park.”
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Windsor Star ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Windsor Star ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Accountor
Article content
The long-awaited announcement includes $36.1 million in funding from Ottawa over five years to establish the park, as well as $4.6 million per year to support its operations, the minister confirmed.
Parks Canada will oversee the new urban park.
“This funding will be a driver of tourism and job creation, connect people with nature in an urban setting and advance reconciliation with First Nations,” Guilbeault added.
Guests and dignitaries gathered outside the Ojibway Nature Centre Saturday, March 8, 2025, following the announcement of a new Ojibway National Urban Park, by Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault, centre, holding the sign with Caldwell First Nation Chief Nikki Van Oirschot. Photo by Julie Kotsis Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and climate change, announces the establishment of a new Ojibway National Urban Park Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Ojibway Nature Centre. Photo by Julie Kotsis /Windsor Star MP Irek Kusmierczyk speaks during the announcement of the establishment of a new Ojibway National Urban Park Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Ojibway Nature Centre. Photo by Julie Kotsis /Windsor StarA jubilant Kusmierczyk said the funding would protect and strengthen the park.
“Ojibway, which was a local and regional park, is now a national park that we’re sharing with all Canadians from coast to coast to coast,” Kusmierczyk said.
“With it comes not only federal resources to protect and strengthen the park and strengthen that experience here, but it also comes with expertise. Over 100 years of expertise of Parks Canada in running a national park, the relationship with First Nations, the relationships with stakeholders that we’re bringing on a national level.”
“That’s what’s exciting about the fact we will have, this year, an Ojibway National Urban Park open and operating here in Windsor-Essex.”
Article content
Kusmierczyk gave credit to the numerous people and organizations that have worked over many years to secure the park, including the Friends of Ojibway Prairie, Citizens Environment Alliance, the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup and the Unifor environment committee.
“It has been a long road. Sometimes a difficult road,” Kusmierczyk said.
“From a community rising up to protect a postage stamp of land, the Ojibway Shores. Here we are today, celebrating an important step to realizing that dream.”
He also highlighted the signing of the historic memorandum of understanding with the Caldwell First Nation and acknowledged the “long-standing commitment of the Nations of the Three Fires Confederacy, who have protected these lands and waters for millennia.
“Today is the story of a community coming together piece by piece, sewing this dream together, making it real, transferring Ojibway Shores to Parks Canada,” Kusmierczyk said.
Caldwell First Nation Chief Nikki Van Oirschot speaks about the importance of establishing the new Ojibway National Urban Park Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Ojibway Nature Centre. Photo by Julie Kotsis /Windsor StarCaldwell First Nation Chief Nikki van Oirschot spoke of working together, true reconciliation and the responsibility of all to ensure that commitment is reflected in the governance and stewardship of the lands.
Article content
“We’re here, because we all have a common ground,” van Oirschot said. “We all love this land. We all want to protect this land. That’s really what’s important here.”
She said the initiative is an important step toward that commitment.
“But let’s be clear, true reconciliation means First Nation leadership, First Nation knowledge and First Nation laws will shape how these lands are protected and cared for in the future,” van Oirschot said.
“Anishinaabe teachings remind us that we’re not separate from the land. We’re part of it — the water, the trees, the animals and the people are all interconnected.
“This is not just about conservation. It’s about restoring the balance that’s been disrupted over time. It’s about ensuring that future generations will not just see these lands, but will know them.
“They’ll learn from them and they’ll understand their sacredness.”
MP Brian Masse, centre, speaks to guests gathered for the announcement of the establishment of a new Ojibway National Urban Park Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Ojibway Nature Centre. Photo by Julie Kotsis /Windsor StarWindsor West MP Brian Masse was also praised for his long-standing commitment in the fight to protect Ojibway.
His private member’s bill to cement protection for Ojibway National Urban Park into law has been stalled with the proroguing of Parliament.
Article content
When Parliament resumes later this month, Masse’s Bill C-248 will go back to a Senate committee for consideration. Even without legislative protection, however, Parks Canada can create the park.
Masse said he was still concerned despite Saturday’s announcement.
“Well, I’m glad we have the announcement,” Masse said. “It’s another corroboration of the things that have led to this moment. But we still need legislation.
“We still have to put the pieces together in an agreement and that’s some of the toughest work that needs to be done,” Masse added.
“Right now, the City of Windsor has not got to the point where it’s transferring the lands, because there’s still work to be done with Parks Canada. And then there were some issues over, how do you do so without the frame of legislation?”
Recommended from Editorial
Environment minister expected to announce creation of Ojibway National Urban Park in Windsor
Federal budget makes it official: Windsor gets Ojibway National Urban Park
The minister would not say exactly when the new park will officially open.
“There are a few steps we have to go through,” Guilbeault said. “But as I said, and as Irek said … it will be established this year, in 2025.“
He also said an election or change in government would not affect the park’s future.
“All of the money has been appropriated. It was in the last budget. It’s been approved by the Treasury Board,” he said. “So the money is secure for the park moving forward.”
jkotsis@postmedia.com
A cardinal sings at Ojibway Park in Windsor on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor StarArticle content