
MP Dean Del Mastro Applauds Freeze of Recreational Lockage Fees on the Trent-Severn WaterwayMay 14, 2013,PETERBOROUGH, ON – Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough, applauded the announcement made today by the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, that recreational lockage fees along Canada’s historic canals will remain frozen for the next three years at 2008 levels.
“I am very pleased that Minister Kent has taken this important step,” stated MP Del Mastro. “I have been working very hard over the past year and a half with my fellow MPs along the Trent-Severn to demonstrate the importance of the Waterway. This issue has been a galvanizing source of community comment and suggestion. We have held public consultations in all our Ridings and we have listened to constituents in our offices, in the streets and on the water. We provided those comments and concerns to the Minister’s Office and I am very pleased that we will continue to have a hand in the future of our Canal system.”
“Since the beginning of our consultation process on canal fees, we have been committed to listening and acting in the best interests of the residents who live, work and visit our canals,” said Minister Kent. “We recognize the importance of canals to Canada’s heritage, the tourism industry and the thousands of people who use them each year. That is why following consultations with Government Members of Caucus who live along the canals, I am pleased to announce that Parks Canada will freeze lockage fees for three years.”
“During this time, Parks Canada and I will work with local Members of Parliament, community leaders and the tourism industry to develop and implement an improved operating model to ensure the long term financial sustainability of the canals operations. These long term solutions will need to address all aspects of the canals operations.”
As part of the long-term financial sustainability of the canals operations, Parks Canada is already considering new visitor opportunities that will benefit a broad range of canals users, and create new sources of revenue, all while maintaining support for our tourism operators and industry.
“This is an excellent start,” stated MP Del Mastro. “But the work is far from over. We need to keep the Trent-Severn Waterway top-of-mind and we need to reflect what it means to our Ridings, to Ontario and to the country. We cannot allow it to fade into the background - it is too important a resource. I look forward to working with the stakeholders, Parks Canada and the community at large to develop an improved operating model that will sustain and grow the Trent-Severn Waterway for the future.”

Update on the Experimental Lakes AreaMay 13, 2013,(Monday, May 13, 2013—PETERBOROUGH, ON) Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for the Peterborough Riding was pleased to support the recent announcement that the Federal Government and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding as a first step in the transfer of the Experimental Lakes Area.
This agreement is a major milestone in the transition of the Experimental Lakes Area to a third party operator and is the result of seven months of confidential negotiations between the Federal Government and IISD. The Federal Government has always maintained the importance of transferring this unique, world-class facility to a third party operator better suited to manage the ELA.
“I understand how important this issue was and still is to the constituents of the Peterborough Riding,” stated Del Mastro. “From constituents who have, for many years, followed the results of studies being conducted at the ELA to research currently underway under the umbrella of Trent University, many viewpoints have been brought to my attention and I appreciate all of the concerns and comments.”
Over the past year, our Government has worked diligently to facilitate the transfer process by contracting a consultant to develop a Business Plan, facilitating connections with potential strategic partners, developing remediation plans to ensure that the facilities are in suitable condition for a new operator and facilitating the engagement of Ontario with IISD.
There is still work to be done in this process and our Government is committed to ensuring a smooth transition of the facility to the IISD by addressing past and ongoing responsibilities, remediation of the site, the transfer of material assets needed to operate the site, operational support, data sharing and other matters.
What this means is that Fisheries and Oceans Canada will conduct a sampling program over the summer of 2013 to maintain important scientific research and ensure that long-term data sets can continue uninterrupted. The Department will work with scientists who have active research at the Experimental Lakes Area to support their needs for the upcoming summer research season, including monitoring activities and requirements to access their equipment.
It is a testament to the work by our Government that such a reputable company has come forward and expressed interest in becoming the new operator for this facility. IISD is a Manitoba-based internationally-renowned public policy research institute for sustainable development, for which it champions around the world through innovation, partnerships, research and communications.
IISD will continue discussions with the Province of Ontario on an agreement to operate the site going forward. Both Fisheries and Oceans Canada and IISD are committed to ensuring that these discussions are successful.
MP Dean Del Mastro pleased to announce senate motion recognizing the Canadian Canoe MuseumMay 10, 2013,(Friday, May 10, 2013 – PETERBOROUGH, ON) Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for the Peterborough Riding is pleased to announce that the Canadian Canoe Museum has been recognized in the Senate as a cultural asset of national significance.
“I am very pleased that this motion has passed in the Senate,” stated MP Del Mastro. “I have been working with the Canadian Canoe Museum and Senator Linda Frum for some time to make this a reality. The passing of this Motion will enable the Museum to seek additional resources and support to assist in realizing their long-term goals.”
"We are delighted that the Senate has adopted this motion,” stated James Raffan, Executive Director of the Canadian Canoe Museum. “Formal recognition of the national significance of this unique collection will help immeasurably in bringing people onboard to realize the museum's aspirations to tell Canada's canoe stories from coast to coast to coast."
Text of the Motion as read in the Senate follows…
Motion to Declare the Canadian Canoe Museum a Cultural Asset of National Significance Adopted On the Order:
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Frum, seconded by the Honourable Senator Greene:
That the Senate declare the Canadian Canoe Museum and its collection a cultural asset of national significance.
Hon. Claudette Tardif (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I am pleased to express support for Senator Frum's motion. The Canadian Canoe Museum is a truly unique facility showcasing our national heritage and the canoe's enduring significance to that heritage.
The museum's artifacts, which represent the world's largest collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft, come from across our land and in this way are of significance to Canadians from coast to coast to coast. I once again encourage all senators to support this motion and also to visit the Canadian Canoe Museum the next time they find themselves in Peterborough, Ontario.
The Hon. the Speaker: Are Honourable Senators ready for the question?
Some Hon. Senators: Question.
The Hon. the Speaker: Is it your pleasure, Honourable Senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Dean addresses the House of Commons with regard to the proposed new NDP Carbon TaxMay 09, 2013,




