Enlarging Moose Deer Point Reserve

For Immediate Release
June 12, 2009

Enlarging Moose Deer Point Reserve
McGuinty Government Will Also Add To O’Donnell Point Provincial Park

NEWS

An agreement between the Ontario government, the federal government and Moose Deer Point First Nation means both the Moose Deer Point Indian Reserve and the O’Donnell Point Provincial Park will be enlarged.

Ontario will transfer 263 hectares of public land to the federal government to expand the Moose Deer Point Reserve. This transfer would join the three separate parcels of land that currently make up the reserve, providing opportunities for increased social and economic benefits.

Ontario will also add a new parcel of Crown land that will increase the total size of O’Donnell Point Provincial Park by 20 hectares. This will increase protection for the park’s critical wetland habitat.

QUOTES

“This beautiful land, with its forest and wetlands, will be well protected by the Moose Deer Point Land Use Plan and the Ontario Parks Planning and Management Policies. I am grateful to the Chief and Council of Moose Deer Point First Nation and the federal department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada for their commitment to making this happen.”
- Donna Cansfield, Minister of Natural Resources

“This announcement is the culmination of a lot of hard work, by a dedicated group of people, over an extended period of time. The Moose Deer Point First Nation acknowledges the efforts of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Parks and the federal government throughout this developmental stage.”
- Chief Barron King, Moose Deer Point First Nation

QUICK FACTS

• About 180 residents live in the Moose Deer Point community on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay.
• O’Donnell Point Provincial Park is home to more than 30 species of reptiles and amphibians, including 10 species at risk.
• Ontario has 330 provincial parks and 294 conservation reserves, covering almost nine per cent of the province’s area.

LEARN MORE

• Learn more about Ontario Parks and Nature Reserves.
• Learn about Species at Risk in Ontario.

For More Information

Ivan Langrish, Minister's Office, 416-314-2212

Media Desk, Communications Services Branch, 416-314-2106

ontario.ca/natural-resources-news

General Enquiries

Natural Resources Information Centre
1-800-667-1940
TTY 1-866-686-6072 (Hearing Impaired)