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Mr Dominic Agostino (Hamilton East): My question
is to the Minister of the
Environment. Minister, you now have an opportunity to save some
valuable
parkland in this province, and I look forward to you doing that.
Today we're aware of the fact that the Royal Canadian Golf
Association is
negotiating with this government to purchase 240 hectares of
land in Bronte
Creek Provincial Park to turn this into two 18-hole golf courses,
a golf
hall of fame, a hotel, a conference centre and commercial and
residential
development on Bronte Creek Provincial Park. They have discussed
it
publicly, and your government discussed this publicly.
This is an ecologically sensitive area. It is the only provincial
park in
an urban area in Ontario, and it's one of the largest green spaces
in the
greater Toronto area. Your government is considering selling
off one third
of Bronte Creek Provincial Park to the private sector for golf
courses,
hotels, residences and commercial developments.
Minister, you are responsible for protecting parkland and
protecting the
environment. Will you today stand up in the House and guarantee
that you
will stop any sale of Bronte Creek Provincial Park to anyone
in the private
sector?
Hon Tony Clement (Minister of the Environment, Minister
of Municipal
Affairs and Housing): Mr Speaker, I believe the protection
of parklands is
actually under the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Minister of Natural Resources.
Hon John Snobelen (Minister of Natural Resources):
I'm pleased to have the
opportunity to address the question of the member opposite. In
fact, I
understand that the RCGA did meet with Frank Miller, who's the
chair of the
Ontario Parks Board of Directors, in April of this year and that
Mr Miller,
someone who has great experience with the parks in the province,
suggested
that their proposal be explored. After that date, I did meet
with some of
the members of the RCGA and explained to them the process in
the province,
which is a very lengthy process, I might add, to have park amendments
that
would be required for this sort of thing. It's in their ballpark,
and I'm
not sure what they're doing with their proposal.
Mr Agostino: It's obvious that your government is negotiating
and
considering the possibility of selling one third of Bronte Creek
Provincial
Park to the private sector for development. There's nothing sacred
with
your government.
This is almost a done deal. Your Minister of Tourism said:
"This is a
premier site. It's exactly what we need right here." That
came from your
Minister of Tourism. So your cabinet minister, on behalf of your
government, already has committed to this site.
Stephen Ross, the executive director of the Royal Canadian
Golf
Association, said: "The Ontario government's long-term plan
is to use this
for something more than a park. We think it would be perfect
for a golf
course."
It is obvious you're negotiating. It is obvious you're willing
to sell this
park to the private sector. I cannot believe the arrogance of
your
government that thinks you can simply give away parkland to build
golf
courses, to build buildings, residential properties, commercial
properties
and hotels.
Minister, will you stand up today on behalf of parklands in
this province
and commit that you will cease all negotiations and guarantee
you will not
be selling any part of Bronte Creek Provincial Park to the private
sector?
Hon Mr Snobelen: It must be Thursday, because obviously
the member wasn't
listening to my earlier comments. We are not in negotiation with
the RCGA.
I have told them what would be required, and what's required
in Ontario is
a very extensive public consultation on how a park is used that
meets local
needs.
Mr Agostino: Just say you're not going to do it. Just
say no.
The Speaker: The member for Hamilton-East has asked
his question. Allow the
minister to reply, please. Minister of Natural Resources.
Hon Mr Snobelen: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I'm pleased
again to have the
opportunity to do that.
Here is what we will do: We will not change a policy, we will
not alter
from a policy. We will make sure this is in the public domain.
That's our
job.
I remind the member opposite that this is a government that's
known for
adding parkland, not selling parkland.
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