Dear colleagues, I’m pleased to speak to Bill C-76, which would give the Municipality of Jasper more control over land use planning.

I would like to start by saluting our colleague, Senator Sorensen, for her hard work and leadership on this file.

As we all know, more than 25,000 people, including the 5,000 residents, were forced to evacuate from Jasper as wildfires ravaged more than 33,000 hectares this summer.

When you witness a disaster like this, you feel powerless. You wish you could do something to help. Well, colleagues, we have a golden opportunity to do so with this bill, which will enable the community of Jasper to get back on its feet and participate fully in its land development.

In July 2022, the Municipality of Jasper asked Parks Canada to consider amending the 2001 Agreement for the Establishment of Local Government in the Town of Jasper to expand the services currently provided by the Municipality within the town boundaries to include certain land use planning and development responsibilities.

In response to this request from the Municipality of Jasper, in early 2023, Parks Canada consulted with Canadians locally, regionally and nationally to establish a fair and transparent process for determining how the community in Jasper National Park should be managed and preserved into the future.

During these consultations, the Municipality of Jasper emphasized how important it was that the community be able to contribute to the development of its territory.

The municipality also identified the need for greater transparency, clarity and consistency in planning policies and processes, as well as better long-term planning and greater responsiveness to local issues.

This is known as the principle of subsidiarity, and it means that decisions must be made by the level of government closest to the citizen.

Obviously, it makes more sense for key decisions to be made by Jasper’s elected officials rather than public servants in Ottawa. People from the municipal sector who may be watching us will be surprised to learn, for example, that even the building permits were issued by Parks Canada rather than by the municipality.

In concrete terms, the hope is that simplifying the governance model will improve the land management services currently provided by Parks Canada. Residents also hope that a future agreement will help ensure a better balance between services for tourists and services for residents.

Of course, the immediate hope is that Bill C-76 will facilitate the development of plans to help residents and businesses recover and rebuild following the damage caused by July’s fire, which destroyed more than a third of the city’s homes and businesses, including more than 800 residential units.

Following discussions with Parks Canada, the town of Jasper now has a new urban planning department. Through their local council and the town’s advisory committees, residents will have a direct say in local land development.

It’s important to understand that land use planning plays a central role in the development of 21st-century communities because it directly influences quality of life, economic efficiency and environmental sustainability. Strategic land, infrastructure and resource use planning can ensure that communities meet current needs while preparing for future challenges.

First of all, land use planning promotes a balanced distribution of residential, commercial and tourist areas, supports local job creation, reduces regional inequalities and improves access to essential services, such as education, health care and transportation.

Urban planning and transportation choices influence economic productivity and social well-being.

Second, land use planning is a crucial lever for sustainable natural resource management and environmental protection.

Factoring in the risks associated with climate change, such as fires and desertification, helps minimize the negative impacts of urban expansion and preserve biodiversity.

Through strategies such as soft densification and the promotion of renewable energy sources, communities can reduce their environmental footprint while encouraging sustainable growth and active mobility.

Finally, land use planning helps improve social inclusion and cohesion. Designing public spaces that are accessible, safe and pleasant encourages social diversity and strengthens residents’ sense of belonging. Green spaces, parks and community centres are all places that encourage social interaction and improve quality of life.

That being said, I have witnessed several transfers of responsibilities from the federal government to municipalities in eastern Quebec, and I echo the concerns voiced by citizens during the 2023 public consultations when I say that I can’t help but worry that the transfer of responsibilities from Parks Canada to the Municipality of Jasper will result in increased costs that will have a direct impact on the property taxes of residents and business owners.

As we all know, Jasper is struggling with its budget because its costs are skyrocketing and because the fire wiped out a large part of its tax revenue.

I am confident that local officials have done their due diligence and will get the necessary guarantees before reaching a final agreement.

In closing, I would like to offer my best wishes to residents and local authorities as they cope with this ordeal. I’m sure that they will build a strong community. The fire in the summer of 2024 is a tragedy, but it is also an opportunity.

I hope that the new powers that Bill C-76 will give the community will make it possible to design a living space that is better tailored to the needs of local residents. Thank you.