Paul Dewar and the NDP have completely collapsed on the Gatineau Park bill now before Parliament, surrendering all principle to the expediency of passing this very bad Conservative legislation.
On Oct. 26, the NDP reversed its former position, by presenting no amendments to Bill C-20, the Action Plan for the National Capital, a measure being studied by the Commons transport
committee, which includes several clauses affecting Gatineau Park.
In 2009, when an identical bill was being studied before the same committee, the NDP tabled five major amendments to deal with the most serious issues facing Gatineau Park.
As well, the NDP betrayed all its principles in supporting a government amendment that would change Gatineau Park boundaries behind closed doors and without public input. Its previous position was that boundaries should only be changed by an act of Parliament.
Paul Dewar, who told the Ottawa Citizen a while back that his finest moment in Parliament was when he tabled his first Gatineau Park bill . . . is nowhere to be seen. He didn't speak at second reading of C-20, and attended only the meeting where John Baird spoke last year on Bill C-37, the previous incarnation of this measure regarding the National Capital Commission.
For five long years, beginning with Ed Broadbent’s Bill C-444 in 2005, the NDP had maintained a position on Gatineau Park that reflected the popular consensus on the issue.
The party had argued that park legislation must mandate conservation and ecological integrity as top management priorities, enshrine boundaries in law and eliminate private property development.
The NDP had also wanted Gatineau Park to be dedicated to future generations as well as given strong parliamentary oversight.
By reversing their former position to jump in bed with the hapless Conservatives, Paul Dewar and the New Democrats have not only betrayed all their commitments and principles, they have also betrayed all those who truly care about Gatineau Park.
Gatineau Park Protection Committee,
Chelsea