With illegal dumping continuing to rise within Rouge National Urban Park in Markham, the need to protect this cherished natural space has become more urgent than ever.
According to Parks Canada, nearly 1,500 incidents of illegal dumping have been reported in the park since 2020, with numbers hitting record highs over the past year. The numbers grew from 92 incidents recorded in 2020, to 394 in 2021, 333 in 2022 and 406 in 2023.
Spanning almost 80 square kilometres, Rouge Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including species at risk. As Canada’s first national urban park, it serves as a vital green space for millions of residents and visitors in the Greater Toronto Area.
“At this time last year, we saw peak levels of illegal dumping, with an average of two dumpsites appearing every day, a trend that continued into the fall,” said Sarah Simpson, acting external relations manager for the park.
Polluters have left behind household trash, furniture, landscaping debris and even hazardous industrial waste such as used tires, scrap metal and cans of paint. These actions are severely damaging the park’s sensitive ecosystems and putting wildlife at risk, Simpson explained.
“We’ve encountered all sorts of garbage at different sites, and it can pose serious choking or entanglement hazards for animals,” said Jacob Shaddock, who leads the park’s compliance team responsible for tracking and responding to illegal dumping. He also noted discarded waste near roads attracts wildlife, such as bears, closer to human activity, increasing the risks for both animals and people.
Although Parks Canada wardens have the authority to issue fines of up to $100,000 for individuals and $500,000 for corporations, Shaddock pointed out that patrolling such a vast area with limited staff is a major challenge.
“Cameras could help, but you’d need one every five or six feet to cover the entire park, which is impossible,” he said.
Parks Canada works closely with local municipalities, including bylaw officers from Markham, to clean up dump sites and investigate offenders. York Regional Police also assist in tracking down individuals responsible for dumping.
But the key is education, Shaddock stressed. He said he believes the rising cost of waste disposal and a lack of awareness among the growing population contribute to the problem. Thus, people need to be informed about proper disposal options to prevent further damage to the park.
“If you witness a dumpsite, you can contact 416-282-1019 and provide details such as the location, time and any information about the people or vehicles involved,” said Simpson, adding that for safety reasons, residents are not encouraged to approach anyone actively dumping.
For those interested in making a difference, volunteer opportunities are available to help clean up Rouge Park, with registration at parks.canada.ca.
Scarlett Liu is a federally funded Local Journalism Initiative Reporter at Markham Economist & Sun
