Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes (BMBCL) is a BIG step closer to becoming a National Urban Park!
Just imagine, if we keep working together on this, Nova Scotia will have a National Urban Park that’s accessible by bus! Incredible.
I joined my colleagues MP Lena Metlege Diab and MP Andy Fillmore today, and representatives from all orders of government, for an incredible $2.1 million announcement that will see BMBCL move forward toward becoming a National Urban Park.
This funding will enable the province of Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, and the Halifax Regional Municipality to plan how best to enhance access to this incredible place, while better conserving nature.
We’ve gotta keep climbing that mountain and get this done!
Back when I was a municipal Councillor I received more than 1,000 emails from folks who wanted to see this land protected, and I learned why this beautiful place is so special, and worth preserving for future generations.
Once I became an MP, I continued my advocacy for the park at the Standing Committee on Environment, and continued working on protecting nature across Canada—including BMBCL! I still remember those early conversations at Committee in 2016/2017 with Chris Miller of CPAWS, and with then Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, on whether we could/should make this special place a National Urban Park.
I understand the importance of working with all orders of government, with Indigenous leaders and communities, and with other wonderful partners to protect this incredible land.
As I’ve always said, protecting Blue Mountain—Birch Cove Lakes is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and I am so proud that we’re all working together to make this happen.