Advisory Committee

The Minister’s Multi-Stakeholder and Public Advisory Committee for Rouge National Urban Park (RNUP) has been announced by the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, fulfilling a longstanding commitment by the Government of Canada.

The Advisory Committee is established to provide recommendations, knowledge, guidance and wisdom to the Minister regarding the responsible management of the park and the implementation of its Management Plan. The committee also provides a forum for ongoing collaboration and strong relationships between Parks Canada and Indigenous and other partners, local governments and jurisdictions, and the public.

The Advisory Committee is comprised of members from the RNUP First Nations Advisory Circle, the City of Toronto, the City of Markham, the City of Pickering, the Regional Municipality of York, the Regional Municipality of Durham, the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, the Township of Uxbridge, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and the Province of Ontario.

The Committee’s six public members have been confirmed as: Dr. Marc Cadotte, Kim Empringham, Sumaira Munir, Larry Noonan, Janet Sumner (chair), and Mark Yearwood. Each member will serve a four-year term and represents a plurality of communities, interests and knowledge areas including park ecology and restoration, species at risk, Indigenous perspectives, agricultural heritage, nature-based education, volunteerism, conservation, cultural heritage, and diversity and equity.

Congratulations to all of the members of the Committee on your appointment, and thank you to all other applicants. 

What is the Rouge National Urban Park Multi-stakeholder and Public Advisory Committee?

The Rouge National Urban Park Multi-Stakeholder Public Advisory Committee is a local Parks Canada advisory board established by Canada’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, under the Rouge National Urban Park Act.

What is the Purpose of the Committee?

The Advisory Committee is established to provide recommendations, knowledge, guidance and wisdom to the Minister through the park’s Field Unit Superintendent for consideration regarding the responsible management of the park and the implementation of the Rouge National Urban Park Management Plan.

The Advisory Committee also provides a forum for ongoing collaboration and strong relationships between Parks Canada and Indigenous and other partners, local governments and jurisdictions, and the public.

Committee Composition

The Committee will be composed of Indigenous partners, members from local municipalities and jurisdictions, and the public. All of these positions will be appointed by the Minister.

The Committee will consist of appointed members from:

• Rouge National Urban Park First Nations Advisory Circle 
• Province of Ontario 
• City of Toronto 
• York (selected from City of Markham, York Region, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville) 
• Durham (selected from City of Pickering, Durham Region, Township of Uxbridge) 
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 
• Members of the public 

Eligibility Criteria, Terms of Office, Responsibilities, Meetings & Remuneration

Please refer to the Rouge National Urban Park Advisory Committee Terms of Reference for more information on eligibility criteria, terms of office, responsibilities, meetings and remuneration.

Experience & Expertise Required

Members of the public considering applying to be part of the Advisory Committee are required to have experience and/or expertise in at least one of the following key areas: 

 

• the principles and application of ecological integrity
• the protection or celebration of natural, cultural or agricultural heritage
• sustainable tourism
• farming
• education
• community economic development
• visitor experience and attractions
• culinary arts 

For more information, or any questions, please contact rouge@pc.gc.ca.