Question Period Note: Soil contamination in Jacques-Cartier Park

The Winterlude Snowflake Kingdom is still going forward at Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau in winter 2020, despite the discovery of soil contamination. The contamination is due to the site being left in a deteriorated condition after MosaïCanada exhibit in 2017 and 2018. The National Capital Commission (NCC) shared a report on the soil contamination with Canadian Heritage (PCH).

• The Winterlude Snowflake Kingdom is going forward at Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau in winter 2020.
• The Government of Canada consulted with experts in the environmental field.
• It has been determined that the findings will not interfere or limit the operations of the Winterlude Snowflake Kingdom.

• The Snowflake Kingdom is a family oriented site co-produced by the City of Gatineau and Canadian Heritage (PCH).
• Jacques-Cartier Park South has been hosting the event for decades with the exception of 2017 and 2018 due to the presence of the Mosaïculture horticulture exhibit.
• The National Capital Commission (NCC) shared with PCH, on September 24, 2019, the analysis report of the soil for our review and understanding of the situation. The NCC informed PCH in September 2019 of additional contamination in the soil brought to the site following Mosaïculture exhibition in 2017 and 2018.
• However, the site conditions are the same as when Winterlude was delivered in 2019, where Winterlude took place as planned without any health and safety incidents or initial concerns raised by the custodians.
• It is the opinion of the environmental experts consulted by PCH, through the City of Gatineau, that the results are not exceeding any thresholds.
• Considering the event is taking place in the winter, the ground is frozen and 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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