Announcement – Retirement of Michael Nadler and movement of personnel within the PCX community

Sent on January 31, 2023

Colleagues,

I’m writing to inform you of the following movements of personnel within the PCX community, effective February 13, 2023.

Retirement of Michael Nadler, Vice-President, External Relations and Visitor Experience 

Michael Nadler retires from Parks Canada after close to 25 years of service in the federal public service. Michael joined the public service in 1997 as part of the team connecting Canada’s public schools, libraries and Indigenous communities to the Internet. Later, he served as Regional Executive with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada in Nunavut, then in a leadership role advancing Indigenous rights negotiations in Quebec, the Atlantic Provinces, and the Northwest Territories.

Since joining Parks Canada in 2015, Michael had the privilege of serving in three roles, but his home has always been with the External Relations and Visitor Experience Directorate where he worked with a team of extraordinary people to bring countless meaningful experiences to millions of visitors every year delivered by passionate team members across the country. He also worked with a remarkable group of colleagues committed to sharing all that Parks Canada has to offer with a growing audience of fans and followers.

Michael has been a dedicated advocate and ally for Indigenous tourism and Indigenous leadership in conservation, within Parks Canada and with the broader tourism and conservation communities. He has made friends and colleagues in many corners of Parks Canada and will be missed, but he is not going far. He will remain involved in the conservation and enjoyment of nature having recently accepted a leadership opportunity with Ducks Unlimited Canada.

Congratulations and have a wonderful retirement!

Christine Loth-Bown appointed Vice-President, External Relations and Visitor Experience

Christine comes to her new role with over 26 years of experience in the federal public service and almost seven years of experience in a Vice-President capacity. Before joining Parks Canada, Christine was the Vice-President, External Relations and Strategic Policy, at the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada where she was responsible, among other things, for external relations and engagement. She also held senior roles at the Canadian Tourism Commission and Fisheries and Oceans Canada where she played a leadership role in the development of strategic policy initiatives as well as corporate planning frameworks.

Christine has been the Vice President, Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Heritage since February 2020. She has played a key leadership role in moving forward key organizational files such as Bill 23 “The Historic Places of Canada Act”; the Indigenous Stewardship Framework; the Framework for History and Commemoration and addressing the legacy of residential schools.

Nadine Spence appointed Vice-President, Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Heritage

Nadine began her career with Parks Canada in 2001 where she has occupied a variety of leadership roles in functional areas and operations, including over ten years as an executive. Throughout her different roles, she was able to live her passion for advancing conservation in ways that support the advancement of Indigenous knowledge systems, leadership and understandings in protected heritage areas.

She occupied the role of Executive Director, British Columbia and Yukon, from 2018 to 2022, and most recently, she was the Executive Director, Indigenous Affairs. In this capacity, she was responsible for policy development, negotiations and relationship development in support of the more than 300 Indigenous relationships across the country.

More details on the staffing of the Executive Director, Indigenous Affairs position will be shared in the near future.

Please join me in wishing Michael, Christine and Nadine every success in their respective endeavours.

Ron Hallman
President & CEO

#StrongerTogether #ParksCanadaProud