Media Statements

April 14, 2023 — Parks Canada respectfully requested that the illegal occupation of Kouchibouguac National Park be brought to a conclusion within a reasonable period of time. We offered to work with the Vautour family to help transition the family’s belongings and structures to a desired location outside of the national park. Parks Canada reiterated this offer to the family on many occasions.

Each time, this offer was refused.

Parks Canada has taken the necessary actions to conclude the illegal occupation of Kouchibouguac National Park.

As reported earlier, Parks Canada removed the personal belongings of the Vautour family from the national park. The family’s belongings have been boxed and transported to a secure self-serve storage facility outside of the national park. Parks Canada has attempted to share the details on how to retrieve these items with the family. So far, the family has not been willing to receive this information.

The structures that were located on the occupation site have been removed and appropriately disposed of.

The closure of Route 117 through the national park has ended. Drivers should remain alert for slow moving traffic and vehicles stopping on the side of the road. Travellers are reminded to obey posted speed limits and follow any temporary roadside signs.

For the time being, Kouchibouguac National Park visitor services remain closed.

At Parks Canada administered places, camping is only permitted in designated campgrounds. Anyone attempting to set up an illegal camp in Kouchibouguac National Park will be charged and fined if convicted in court.

In 2021, the park’s management plan was updated. A key objective of the new plan is to have former residents of Kouchibouguac National Park and their descendants help commemorate the history of the park and former villages. To accomplish this goal, the park will establish an advisory committee made up of former residents of the national park to advise the park management on how to promote the history of former villages.

Parks Canada looks forward to moving ahead in the spirit of collaboration with the families of former residents of the park, as well as with the Mi’gmaq, local communities, and visitors to protect and present the natural and cultural history of Kouchibouguac National Park.

Parks Canada wishes to thank the members of the public for their patience.

April 11, 2023 — A year ago, Parks Canada respectfully requested that the illegal occupation of Kouchibouguac National Park be brought to a conclusion within a reasonable period of time. We offered to work with the Vautour family to help transition Mrs. Yvonne Vautour’s belongings and structures to a desired location outside of the national park.

This offer was refused.

Parks Canada is now taking the necessary steps – at what has been evaluated to be an appropriate and safe time – to bring the illegal occupation to an end.

The personal belongings of the Vautour family are now being removed from the national park. The family’s belongings are being carefully boxed and securely stored outside of the national park. Parks Canada will ensure the family has the details on how to retrieve these items.

The safety of visitors, the community and Parks Canada employees is of the utmost importance for Parks Canada.

To help ensure the safety of everyone, Parks Canada has temporarily closed Route 117 through the national park until further notice. It is an offence under the Canada National Parks Act to enter this closed section of the park.

Emergency vehicles will be given access while this road closure is in place.

Additionally, Kouchibouguac National Park has suspended all visitor services in the national park until further notice. Only basic critical operations will be carried out at this time. Visitor facilities such as day use areas, the Visitor Reception Centre and the Pijeboogwek shelter will be closed temporarily. The public should not visit Kouchibougac National Park at this time.

Parks Canada wishes to thank the members of the public for their patience. Updates will be shared on Kouchibouguac National Park’s website and social media channels.

Parks Canada acknowledges that the past practice of expropriation in the establishment of national parks and national historic sites greatly affected many families and individuals. The families and communities of what is now Kouchibouguac National Park remain an important part of the history of this region of Canada.

Kouchibouguac National Park values its longstanding relationships with the Mi’gmaq and local communities. Parks Canada will continue to collaborate with all these groups on the protection of natural and cultural resources, economic development, public outreach, cultural awareness and education.

UPDATED — April 1, 2022 — Parks Canada acknowledges that the past practice of expropriation in the establishment of national parks and national historic sites greatly affected many families and individuals. The families and communities of what is now Kouchibouguac National Park, remain an important part of the history of this region of Canada.

Kouchibouguac National Park values its longstanding relationships with the Mi’gmaq, Acadian groups and communities. Parks Canada will continue to collaborate with all these valued partners in the protection of natural and cultural resources, economic development, and public outreach, cultural awareness and education.

The La Forest-Roy Report (Report on the Special Inquiry on Kouchibouguac National Park), published in 1981, acknowledged that while Mr. John (Jackie) Vautour was not abiding by a court order to cease his occupation of Kouchibouguac National Park, Parks Canada could allow his presence on the land in the national park on sufferance, provided he stayed within the law in other respects and did not use the site as a base for action against the park.

Additionally, Mr. Vautour signed an agreement in 1987 with the Province of New Brunswick to leave the property in the national park. The compensation included 110 acres of land outside of Kouchibouguac National Park and a payment of $228,000 (which would be equivalent to approximately $480,000 in today’s dollars). Mr. Vautour accepted the money and the land and signed the agreement, but refused to leave the park. The provision to remain, albeit unlawfully, in the national park applied to Mr. Vautour only and not to other members of the extended Vautour family.

With Mr. Vautour’s passing, this arrangement is also at an end, and it is now time to bring the illegal occupation in the national park to a close. Parks Canada has offered to work with the Vautour family to help transition their belongings and structures to a desired location outside of the national park. While this offer still stands, so far, it has been declined. 

Parks Canada identified March 31, 2022 as the deadline for the Vautour family to remove their belongings from the national park. With the deadline now passed, Parks Canada will take the necessary steps – at an appropriate and safe time – to bring a conclusion to the illegal occupation of Kouchibouguac National Park.

Regarding recent court cases, the New Brunswick Court of Appeal has upheld an earlier court decision to dismiss the Vautour portion of the claim seeking Indigenous title and rights to Kouchibouguac National Park.

The Vautours have no cases currently before the courts concerning this illegal occupation.

The safety of visitors, team members and the community is of the utmost importance for Parks Canada. It is Parks Canada's desire that the occupation comes to a peaceful conclusion.