Citizen group aims to protect 880 acres of public land around Chelsea

Mélissa Gélinas

Action Chelsea pour le Respect de l'Environnement (ACRE) invites the public to sign a petition to protect 880 acres of undeveloped public land in the municipality of Chelsea, including 315 acres in Gatineau Park. Please note that the deadline to sign the petition is April 21, 2026.

Goals

The goal of this proposal is to provide a better quality of life for the community while ensuring a healthy and prosperous future for future generations.

These natural spaces, owned by Hydro-Québec and the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable (MTMD), are made up of ecological corridors, river banks and forests located in and around Gatineau Park.

According to ACRE, the Gatineau Park Breach, the Gatineau River and the Chelsea Greenbelt are the pillars to be protected. Comprising many ecosystems, these areas play a fundamental role in the proper maintenance of biodiversity.

Results that can be counted

By supporting this cause, the Town of Chelsea will be significantly closer to the global target of 30% by 2030, from 14% to 20% of its goal.

In addition, by protecting these natural areas, they will be able to be integrated into the National Capital Green Network, which is one of the largest trail networks in North America that generates an annual turnover of more than $330 million.

In short, this will ensure that no highway is allowed in Chelsea, since social acceptability is currently zero.

About ACRE

ACRE is a charitable organization whose mission is to protect and preserve the environment of the Municipality of Chelsea. It promotes healthy living for the community by working closely with municipal governments while recognizing that the land is on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people.

For more information and to sign the petition: https://www.facebook.com/acrechelsea  or https://acrechelsea.qc.ca/