A Proposed National Urban Park for Edmonton

Since 2021, the City of Edmonton has been in discussion with project partners including Parks Canada, the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government (formerly the Métis Nation of Alberta), and the Government of Alberta (in an observer role) about the potential for establishing a national urban park in the Edmonton region. 

The National Urban Park Initiative is expected to be a multi-phase, multi-year project, with opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement at all stages. Project partners are discussing what a national urban park could look like, but no decisions have been made to designate a national urban park at this time. 

Project Status

The National Urban Park (NUP) Initiative remains in the pre-feasibility phase at this time. Partners are exploring what the next phase of the initiative—the planning phase—would entail, and what the partnership should look like moving forward. 

The NUP Partner Committee is monitoring political developments at the provincial level, in particular Bill 204 (the Municipal Government [National Urban Parks] Amendment Act, 2023) and Bill 18 (the Provincial Priorities Act, 2024) as these may impact the next steps in exploring a national urban park in the Edmonton region.

Bill 204 came into effect in May 2024, and requires municipalities to meet specific conditions before beginning negotiations with the Government of Canada on the creation of a national urban park. 

The conditions referred to in the bill have not yet been provided. Project partners recognize that Bill 204 may change the Government of Alberta’s role within the NUP Initiative and will work with them to understand the actions required to comply with this new legislation.

In August 2023, City Council reviewed the City administration's report on pre-feasibility phase outcomes and expressed support for moving forward to the planning phase:

Once all work within the pre-feasibility phase is completed, and pending a final endorsement from project partners, the project will move to the planning phase for further analysis and engagement.

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