Contamination of Jacques Cartier Park
Context
Jacques Cartier Park South was left in a deteriorated condition after the end of the MosaïCanada horticultural exhibit in 2018. Soil contamination at Jacques Cartier Park existed prior to the arrival of MosaïCulture in 2017 due to historic industrial and commercial use of the site. Following MosaïCulture’s early departure from the site in late 2018, the park needed to be closed to the public for health and safety reasons as this contaminated soil had been exposed in a portion of the park.
Suggested Response
- Public health and safety is a top priority for the Government. Upcoming soil rehabilitation in the area of concern at Jacques Cartier Park will allow the National Capital Commission to ensure the safety and integrity of the Park.
- The National Capital Commission is currently in the planning and design phase of the required rehabilitation work in the Jacques-Cartier Park South area.
- The National Capital Commission will undertake the required remediation and capping work, which involves placing a cover of new soil over contaminated areas, in spring 2020.
If pressed on the use of the site for Winterlude:
- The Government of Canada consulted with experts in the environmental field. It was determined that due to the ground being frozen with a significant amount of natural and artificial compacted snow covering the surface area, that the level of risk to the public was negligible.
Background
The National Capital Commission (NCC) entered into an agreement with MosaïCultures Internationales de Montreal (MIM), supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage and the City of Gatineau, to allow for the use of Jacques-Cartier Park South during the national horticultural event. It was a great success, forming a core part of Canada 150 programming in the National Capital Region, and was open to the public during the summers of 2017 and 2018.
While contamination at Jacques Cartier Park existed prior to the arrival of MosaïCulture in 2017 due to the historic industrial and commercial use of the site, the contaminated soil had been capped and did not pose any risk to the public.
While a remediation plan is being implemented, the affected site will continue to remain unsuitable for public use.
The level of contamination present on site does not in any way impact the planned activities of Snowflake Kingdom taking place in Jacques Cartier Park for Winterlude 2020.
It is the opinion of the environmental experts consulted by Canadian Heritage, through the City of Gatineau, that the results are not exceeding any thresholds and that the level of risk would be negligible.
Considering the event is taking place in the winter, that the ground is frozen with a significant amount of natural and artificial compacted snow surface over the grounds, it was determined that the level of risk was negligible.
Winterlude will be held from January 31 to February 17, 2020.
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