Advance work with provincial and territorial governments, and Indigenous peoples, to finalize the creation of currently proposed national parks and national marine conservation areas. Continue to explore options for additional national parks.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada continues to work with other governments, partners and stakeholders in order to contribute to achieving the protection of 25% of Canada’s land and 25% of Canada’s oceans by 2025.
  • In 2018, Parks Canada undertook broad and extensive consultations on the proposed boundary for the proposed national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen and key aspects for consideration in the management of the lands. On July 2, 2019, the governments of Canada and British Columbia and the Syilx/Okanagan Nation signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formally work toward establishing a national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen. This is a significant step toward the establishment of the national park reserve.
  • In April 2019, the Government of Canada, the Government of Nunavut and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to initiate a feasibility assessment for marine protected areas in the High Arctic Basin region, or Tavaijuittuq, “the ice that never melts.”
  • On August 20 and 21, 2019, the governments of Canada, Northwest Territories, Łutsël K’e Dene First Nation, the Northwest Territory Métis Nation and Deninu K’ue First Nation signed agreements to create Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve and the adjacent Thaidene Nene Territorial Protected Area. Thaidene Nene is Canada’s newest national park reserve. On September 4, 2019, 14,000 km² of wilderness was legally protected, by bringing Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve under the Canada National Parks Act. On September 25, 2020, the Yellowknives Dené First Nation signed an agreement to participate in Thaidene Nene completing the partnership with the Akaitcho First Nations.
  • On August 1, 2019, the Government of Canada and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) signed an Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA), which established the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area of Canada. This agreement goes beyond this specific area and can cover the requirements for any protected areas established within Canada’s High Arctic Basin.
  • On August 14, 2019, the Government of Canada and Prince Edward Island (PEI) Mi’kmaq First Nations announced a feasibility assessment to establish a national park reserve in the Hog Island Sandhills chain in northwestern Prince Edward Island.
  • On September 6, 2019, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and the President of Nunatsiavut announced the launch of a feasibility assessment to consider the establishment of an Indigenous protected area under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act, which would be adjacent to Torngat Mountains National Park in northern Labrador.
  • In 2019, the Government of Canada announced an agreement to acquire a 12 acre property with 500 metres of pristine Georgian Bay shoreline surrounded by Driftwood Cove, which will be part of Bruce Peninsula National Park. Bruce Peninsula National Park is now 90% complete and is one of the largest protected areas in Southern Ontario. Agreement to purchase new lands moves Bruce Peninsula National Park closer to completion.
  • The feasibility assessment for establishing a marine protected area around Îles de la Madeleine is in progress. A first meeting of the advisory committee was held in December 2019.
  • On June 15, 2019, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority transferred 18.5 km² of land to Parks Canada for Rouge National Urban Park, largely completing the park’s establishment. This announcement officially makes Rouge National Urban Park North America’s largest urban park.
  • Parks Canada continues to work with 19 First Nations and the Government of British Columbia on a feasibility assessment for the National Marine Conservation Area Reserve in the southern Strait of Georgia.
  • Parks Canada is supporting Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Government of Quebec in establishing a marine protected area in the St. Lawrence Estuary, in waters surrounding the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park.

Work with other levels of government and stakeholders to advance biodiversity through connectivity of protected places and alternative approaches to protected areas.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada is actively engaged in the governance and implementation of the Canada Nature Fund, supporting the establishment of additional protected and conserved areas (including Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas) by Indigenous governments, private landowners and provincial and territorial jurisdictions.
  • Parks Canada is also working with Environment and Climate Change Canada and provincial and territorial jurisdictions in the development of pan-Canadian indicators and tools that can help measure Canada’s progress on ecological connectivity and inform future protected and conserved area priorities.
  • The Agency’s Conservation and Restoration program criteria have been renewed to explicitly promote projects that consider ecological connectivity and apply ecosystem-based strategies (including socio-ecological connections) where appropriate. For example, Caldwell First Nation, in southern Ontario, has begun buying land at the Hillman Marsh adjacent to Point Pelee National Park. Their plan is to establish a reserve close to the Park. This reserve and park will both include wetland components threatened by the invasive plant known as Phragmites.
  • Parks Canada is developing guidance and tools to improve the ecological connectivity within and around Parks Canada places. Examples of connectivity projects being implemented include:
    • The identification of the optimal attributes of wildlife corridors used by carnivores under human-use pressure around the Banff townsite;
    • The development of long-term strategies to enhance connectivity corridors for Dall Sheep along the Alaska Highway adjacent to Kluane National Park Reserve;
    • Working in partnership with provincial governments, Indigenous partners and private landowners, connecting north-south corridors beyond park boundaries from Banff, Lake Louise Yoho Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks in the north to Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park in the south, through the use of wildlife camera data.

By the end of 2020, revise the National Parks System Plan. The update will be based on current conservation science, Indigenous traditional knowledge and considerations related to climate change, biodiversity and other environmental factors. The revised plan will ensure that important sites are identified and prioritized, that their role in a broader network of protected areas is clear and that effective mechanisms to protect them are put in place. Barriers to the creation of protected areas will be identified, and actions to speed up the process will be undertaken.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Since the early 1970s, the National Parks System Plan has guided the establishment of new national parks in Canada. A scoping exercise is under way to determine the best approach for revising and renewing the National Parks System Plan. Additional consideration is being given to ways that the establishment of new parks can support the Government of Canada’s commitment to conserve 25% of Canada’s land and 25% of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working toward 30% of each by 2030.

In partnership with Indigenous peoples and others, work to achieve the Aichi targets for protecting lands and inland waters. This work, which is part of the Pathway to Canada Target 1 process, will continue to be grounded in science and Indigenous traditional knowledge and contribute to the creation of a connected network of protected and conserved areas.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • The One with Nature report, prepared by the Pathway National Steering Committee, was released publicly in March 2019. It was informed by the work of the Indigenous Circle of Experts and a National Advisory Panel.
  • Parks Canada continues to work with Indigenous governments and communities in order to contribute to achieving the protection of 25% of Canada’s land and 25% of Canada’s oceans by 2025. For example, the Okanagan Nation, Government of British Columbia and Parks Canada are undertaking negotiations to establish a national park reserve in the South Okanagan. A number of sites announced during the past year were based on proposals by Indigenous groups, such as the James Bay National Marine Conservation Area proposed by the Cree Nation Government.
  • Parks Canada is developing guidance and approaches to assess National Historic Sites and National Historic Canals against the Other Effective-based Conservation Measures criteria, as defined through the Pathway to Canada Target 1 process.

Advance the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in collaboration with Indigenous peoples across Canada.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • In October 2018, Parks Canada supported a national gathering of Indigenous governments and other experts to explore opportunities, tools and challenges for implementing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in Canada.
  • The principles defining Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas are embedded in the steps to establish new national parks and national marine conservation areas, such as the establishment agreement with the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation for Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve.
  • Parks Canada is supporting integrated conservation planning initiatives with Indigenous partners in support of shared and Indigenous conservation objectives. Examples of such initiatives include the following.
    • Development of a collaborative plan for connectivity, species at risk recovery, and forest restoration work between Miawpukek First Nation and Terra Nova National Park.
    • Development of a fire-management strategy in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve that incorporates a shared understanding of the role of Indigenous peoples in fire management and strategies for multiple ways of knowing that builds upon Indigenous management practices to support the maintenance and recovery of plants of cultural importance to the local First Nations.
    • The co-development, with the Haida Nation, of a long-term plan to assess the effectiveness of the new Gwaii Haanas marine zoning plan in achieving the Archipelago Management Board’s ecological and cultural objectives.
  • Parks Canada supports the University of Guelph’s “Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership” program, a coalition of organizations that support the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas.

Provide international leadership in the creation and operation of parks through commitments to work with other national park departments and agencies.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada has renewed its International Strategy to guide the Agency’s engagement in international activities over the next five years (2020–2025).
  • A new Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Mexico Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources in October 2019. Parks Canada participated in the Canada–Mexico Partnership Environment Working Group meeting to advance planning on collaborative projects.
  • At the Convention on Biological Diversity meetings in Montreal in November 2019, Parks Canada led negotiations for Canada on items related to linkages between nature and culture.
  • Parks Canada continues to play a leadership role in the work of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, including ongoing leadership on the NatureForAll initiative.

Following from the Minister’s mandate letter (2015), review what actions Parks Canada can take—in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada—to help protect the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River Basin and the Lake Winnipeg Basin.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada is an active participant in the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between Canada and the United States.
  • Parks Canada works with Environment and Climate Change Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada as a member of the Canada-Quebec Bilateral Group on Marine Protected Areas (BGMPA).
  • Parks Canada is a member of the Steering Committee of the Canada-Quebec St. Lawrence Action Plan 2011–2026 and the Working Groups on the State of the St. Lawrence and Biodiversity. The Action Plan is founded on bringing together the efforts and resources of multiple departments and agencies with a view to the conservation, restoration, protection and enhancement of the St. Lawrence.
  • Parks Canada continues to support and be an active participant in the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. In 2019, the Agency was involved in renewing the Canada-Ontario Agreement (COA). The draft agreement was posted for a 60-day public comment period in fall 2019. The renewed COA is expected to be ratified in 2020 and be in effect until 2024. Parks Canada has committed to taking the lead on three deliverables under the renewed COA including:
    • Strengthening the long-term protection of biodiversity and restoration of ecosystems through a network of aquatic and terrestrial protected areas
    • Connecting and inspiring park visitors, residents in surrounding communities and students to the Great Lakes

Establish new parks and marine conservation areas.

The National Parks System Plan was originally written in the early 1970s. Its goal was to establish a system of national parks that represents each of Canada’s distinct natural regions. At present, the plan is just over 77 percent completed.

Through Budget 2018, the Government of Canada is committed to a major increase in protected areas both on land and in marine areas. This demonstrates our commitment to putting Canada on a path to fulfilling our international protected area targets as agreed to under the International Convention on Biological Diversity (the Aichi Target 11/Canada Target 1). To do this, we will:

• Advance work with provincial and territorial governments, and Indigenous peoples, to finalize the creation of currently proposed national parks and national marine conservation areas. Continue to explore options for additional national parks.

• Work with other levels of government and stakeholders to advance biodiversity through connectivity of protected places and alternative approaches to protected areas.

• By the end of 2020, revise the National Parks System Plan. The update will be based on current conservation science, Indigenous traditional knowledge, and considerations related to climate change, biodiversity, and other environmental factors. The revised plan will ensure that important sites are identified and prioritized, that their role in a broader network of protected areas is clear, and that effective mechanisms to protect them are put in place. Barriers to the creation of protected areas will be identified, and actions to speed up the process will be undertaken.

• In partnership with Indigenous peoples and others, work to achieve the Aichi targets for protecting lands and inland waters. This work, which is part of the “Pathway to Canada Target 1” process, will continue to be grounded in science and Indigenous traditional knowledge, and will contribute to the creation of a connected network of protected and conserved areas.

• Advance the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in collaboration with Indigenous peoples across Canada.

• Provide international leadership in the creation and operation of parks through commitments to work with other national park departments and agencies. An example of this leadership is the recent Statement of Cooperation with the People’s Republic of China where we will share Parks Canada expertise to the establishment of a Chinese National Parks System.

• Following from the Minister’s mandate letter (2015), review what actions Parks Canada can take—in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada—to help protect the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River Basin, and the Lake Winnipeg Basin.

Create a short-term independent working group with expertise in governance, policy development, ecological science and heritage conservation to review Parks Canada practices, policies, planning and monitoring programs and approval processes and make recommendations to ensure that maintaining ecological and commemorative integrity are priority considerations in decision making. Recommendations from the working group will be presented to the Minister by August 31, 2018.

Completed – Fully Met

• Details of accomplishments

  • Minister McKenna’s Independent Working Group began its review in October 2018 and submitted its final recommendations to the Minister on March 31, 2019. Parks Canada is taking action on a number of the recommendations as part of the broader implementation of the response to the 2017 Minister’s Round Table.

Reaffirm that ecological integrity will be the first priority in decision-making in national parks and marine conservation areas, and that commemorative integrity will the first priority in decision-making in national historic sites.

I unequivocally reaffirm that the maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity, through the protection of natural resources and natural processes, will be the first priority when considering all aspects of the management of national parks. I reaffirm also that maintaining ecological and commemorative integrity will be prerequisites to the use of national parks and national historic sites. To do this we will:

• Create a short-term independent working group with expertise in governance, policy development, ecological science, and heritage conservation to review Parks Canada practices, policies, planning and monitoring programs, and approval processes, and make recommendations to ensure that maintaining ecological and commemorative integrity are priority considerations in decision-making. Recommendations from the working group will be presented to the Minister by August 31, 2018.

Advance conservation science through close collaboration between Parks Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Following a 2019 Parks Canada-Environment and Climate Change Canada Science Symposium, joint actions in four priority areas are being explored: landscape science and population ecology; climate change adaptation planning; Indigenous knowledge; and monitoring and adaptive management.
  • Parks Canada is working with Environment and Climate Change Canada on a Great Lakes coastal wetland resilience project, which includes reference sites in four Parks Canada managed areas. Efforts were also initiated to strategically coordinate colonial water bird and water quality monitoring regionally in the Great Lakes.

Consult with the Government of Canada’s Chief Science Advisor to better integrate science in decision making and facilitate greater public access to the conservation science conducted by Parks Canada.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • In fall 2019, Parks Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Conservation Institute, engaged with the Chief Science Advisor, who provided advice with respect to enhancing opportunities for collaboration in cultural heritage conservation science.
  • The Agency is continuing to release scientific and operational data through the Open Government portal and is determining how best to release additional data and documents related to conservation science in the coming years. Recent postings include data that document human/wildlife conflict in Parks Canada places, as well as 86 updates and 6 new records to ecological monitoring data. Since 2015, over 450 ecological data files have been posted.
  • A draft Parks Canada Policy on Scientific Integrity has been developed that aligns with the model policy.

Continue to strengthen Parks Canada’s conservation science capacity and continue to foster ongoing collaboration between Parks Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada on conservation science to better monitor ecological integrity and inform planning and decision-making activities.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada is facilitated by a Memorandum of Understanding on science collaboration.
  • Parks Canada is working with Environment and Climate Change Canada to standardize an approach to monitoring ecological connectivity and ecological integrity across landscapes—notably forest cover with Canadian Forest Service, and Wetland monitoring with the National Wildlife Research Centre.
  • Parks Canada is working with the Canadian Parks Collective for Innovation and Leadership (CPCIL) to explore options to broaden collaboration across governmental, academic and non-governmental science and conservation institutions in Canada.

Ensure that Parks Canada’s decision making in national parks and national marine conservation areas is guided by conservation science and respects the legislated requirement to maintain or restore ecological integrity in national parks and manage national marine conservation areas for ecological sustainability.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada is advancing a new standard for ecological integrity monitoring (in national parks) and a framework for ecological sustainability monitoring (in national marine conservation areas) that are informed by modern climate science and Indigenous participation, and that will support evidence-based decision-making.
  • Strategic environmental assessments of management planning decisions will start earlier in the planning cycle and draw on forecasts of visitor use, development and climate change.
  • Renewed criteria, based on conservation science, have been established to evaluate the Agency’s conservation and restoration projects.

Develop a knowledge strategy to enhance knowledge development, sharing and partnership in support of evidence-based decision making.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada is developing an integrated suite of policy instruments and tools to support knowledge development, sharing and collaborations. Work on tools to support evidence-based decision making is also underway.

Restore the requirement to review national park management plans at least every five years and produce State of the Park reports for each park every five years that are publicly available for review by scientists, public and other interested parties.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada is conducting a comprehensive analysis of its approach to management planning, with the goal of adapting to a five-year cycle.
  • Over the past three years, Parks Canada has been working to renew a large number of national park, national historic site, and national marine conservation area management plans. From 2016 to 2019, 43 plans were completed; 7 more were completed in 2019. There are 34 plans under development in 2020.

Ensure science guides decision-making at Parks Canada and reinvest in science capacity.

Being guided by science is key to ensuring that ecological integrity is given the first priority. To confirm the emphasis on science we will:

• Advance conservation science through close collaboration between Parks Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

• Consult with the Government of Canada’s Chief Science Advisor to better integrate science in decision-making and facilitate greater public access to the conservation science conducted by Parks Canada.

• Continue to strengthen Parks Canada conservation science capacity, and continue to foster ongoing collaboration between Parks Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada on conservation science to better monitor ecological integrity and inform planning and decision-making activities.

• Ensure that Parks Canada’s decision-making in national parks and national marine conservation areas is guided by conservation science and respects the legislated requirement to maintain or restore ecological integrity in national parks and manage national marine conservation areas for ecological sustainability.

• Develop a knowledge strategy to enhance knowledge development, sharing, and partnership in support of evidence-based decision-making. Restore the requirement to review national park management plans at least every five years and produce State of Park reports for each park every five years that are publicly available for review by scientists, the public, and other interested parties.

Conduct research into how climate change impacts protected spaces. New investments in conservation science capacity will help Parks Canada conduct vulnerability assessments and identify actions required to help ecosystems adapt.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada is modernizing its conservation programs to integrate climate change considerations into ecological restoration, species recovery, ecological monitoring, and fire management.
  • Parks Canada completed a series of regional scientific reports summarizing the evolution of climate conditions at heritage places and the potential impacts that forecasted changes may cause. That series is now being expanded with the launch of a set of more detailed site-specific reports.
  • A comprehensive Climate Change Risk Assessment for Parks Canada was completed. This involved the identification of climate change impacts across five areas of responsibility: natural resources; cultural resources; visitor experience; health and safety; and built assets.
  • In collaboration with partners, an Adaptation Framework for Canada’s Protected Areas together with an associated workshop approach were developed. Parks Canada is developing a planning tool to prioritize and facilitate the implementation of climate change adaptation actions.
  • Parks Canada experts continue to co-lead two working groups to develop and share knowledge and best practices for heritage place stewardship in the context of climate change. This involves Canadian federal, provincial and territorial administrators of heritage places, as well as Indigenous, industry and academic partners.
  • In collaboration with the National Audubon Society and Bird Studies Canada, Parks Canada conducted a study to find out how climate change affects bird communities in Canada’s national parks and national marine conservation areas.
  • Under the coordination of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, Parks Canada worked with the U.S. and Mexico in the development of a Climate Adaptation Toolkit for Marine and Coastal Protected Areas, which includes Rapid Vulnerability Assessment, Adaptation Actions, and Case studies and other resources to help protected area managers integrate climate adaptation into management and planning.

Ensure that conservation and restoration work address the need to enhance ecological connectivity within and around parks as part of climate adaptation efforts.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada is collaborating with Environment and Climate Change Canada on a national connectivity indicator for protected areas.
  • Criteria for the Agency’s Conservation and Restoration program have been renewed to explicitly promote projects that consider ecological connectivity. Some current and new projects are working with partners outside the park to influence connectivity and/or conservation at a landscape scale, including conservation or restoration activities outside the park. For example, the Rocky Mountain national parks are working with provincial partners to restore two species of trees at risk: whitebark and limber pines.
  • Parks Canada has initiated the development of a policy framework for incorporating ecological connectivity into conservation planning and programs.

Recognize and report on the value of natural capital and capturing and storing carbon that occurs in Canada’s protected ecosystems.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada has conducted a preliminary analysis of the value of natural capital and is currently exploring how to further refine the analysis.
  • The development of the Parks Canada Carbon Atlas is near completion. The assessment of carbon stocks and fluxes in forested areas of 38 national parks is complete. Future work will cover other ecosystem types, including wetlands and peatlands, grasslands and marine and coastal areas. This work is increasing the understanding of the role of protected areas in the context of climate change.

Ensure that when parks and historic infrastructure are updated or renovated, these improvements significantly reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency in the use of energy and water in line with the Government’s green procurement commitments.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada’s Green Building Directive encourages the use of energy and water/wastewater efficient systems, fixtures and operational practices that reduce long-term costs and greenhouse gas emissions, while at the same time protecting cultural and natural resources and providing continued high-quality service levels to visitors. It also promotes the use of sustainable materials in new construction and renovation projects while taking into account cost, project requirements, greenhouse gas emissions and the principles of sustainable development.
  • In response to the Government of Canada’s Greening Government Strategy, the Agency is advancing its efforts to reduce carbon emissions through the development of an Asset Sustainability and Resiliency Standard, scheduled for completion in 2021.
  • Through the 2018 Greening Government Fund call for proposals, Parks Canada:
    • Added a roof-mounted solar array and heat conversion system to a new trades building in Kluane National Park and Reserve, which maximizes energy efficiency and reduces reliance on the electrical grid and diesel-run heaters.
    • Has been invited to submit full proposals for six green infrastructure initiatives related to hydropower generation, geothermal heating systems, and photovoltaic solar arrays.
  • In 2019, studies were completed for key built assets at the Sable Island National Park Reserve Main Station and the Thousand Island National Park administration compound to inform future investments to improve energy efficiency, comfort, and wellbeing of staff; to achieve operational sustainability; and to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.
  • The Agency committed to having charging infrastructure at or near ‎the 25 most popular Parks Canada destinations across the country by 2021. On August 14, 2020, Parks Canada announced that charging stations were now installed in 28 of the most popular Parks Canada places. By 2025, the Agency will double the number of destinations offering this service to the 50 most popular places.

Protect existing habitat and renew ecosystem restoration efforts to ensure that species at risk can recover in national parks and protected areas and work collaboratively with Environment and Climate Change Canada and other jurisdictions to protect endangered species adjacent to national parks and protected area boundaries.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada has directly allocated approximately $4.5M between 2018 and 2020 to over 100 projects that will implement actions identified in Species at Risk action plans. For example:
    • Over the next four years, the “Impede the Reed” conservation program will improve the water quality within and surrounding Georgian Bay Islands National Park by targeting the removal of the invasive plant known as Phragmites, developing a long-term monitoring system and preventing the plant from re-establishing itself.
    • Restoration of the Atlantic salmon population in the waters within and surrounding Kouchibouguac National Park through improved knowledge, monitoring and by building on previous and ongoing work with partners.
    • Improved conservation measures to protect beluga whales through the exemption of 44% of the area of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park from commercial whale-watching excursions
    • In Banff National Park, the team is helping the recovery of a threatened fish, the native Westslope Cutthroat Trout, by physically restoring habitat, removing non-native fishes and engaging the public to raise awareness and connection.
    • In Grasslands National Park, the team implemented conservation activities to support Black-tailed Prairie Dog populations, including measures to manage the threat of plague, research on species persistence, and data collection for ongoing recovery planning.

Inventory archaeological and historic sites at risk from climate change and development pressures and work in partnership with Indigenous peoples and academic institutions to record and preserve these places.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada, in collaboration with the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Culture and Heritage Table, has recently published six Climate Change Adaptation Workshop Reports and a Program Overview Report.

Restore sites that have experienced ecological or commemorative decline, and respond to the challenges of climate change.

To maintain or restore ecological integrity, including addressing the impacts of climate change, habitat loss and fragmentation, and to advance the rehabilitation of contaminated sites and efforts to preserve historical and archeological sites that are at risk, we will:

• Conduct research into how climate change impacts protected spaces. New investments in conservation science capacity will help Parks Canada conduct vulnerability assessments and identify actions required to help ecosystems adapt.

• Ensure that conservation and restoration work address the need to enhance ecological connectivity within and around parks as part of climate adaptation efforts.

• Recognize and report on the value of natural capital, and capturing and storing carbon that occurs in Canada’s protected ecosystems.

• Ensure that when parks and historic infrastructure are updated or renovated these improvements significantly reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency in the use of energy and water in line with the government’s green procurement commitments.

• Protect existing habitat and renew ecosystem restoration efforts to ensure that species-at-risk can recover in national parks and protected areas, and work collaboratively with Environment and Climate Change Canada and other jurisdictions to protect endangered species adjacent to national parks and protected area boundaries.

• Inventory archeological and historic sites at risk from climate change and development pressures, and work in partnership with Indigenous peoples and academic institutions to record and preserve these places.

Complete an evaluation of strategic assets and identify the resources needed to restore infrastructure, including national historic sites, to an acceptable state, or to decommission some infrastructure and rehabilitate the site.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • In 2019, Parks Canada’s five-year Investment Plan received Treasury Board approval. It outlines the management principles, processes and practices related to the Agency’s planned investments in assets and acquired services over a planning horizon spanning 2019–20 to 2023–24.
  • Parks Canada is also launching a transition to an accrual-based management regime in order to confirm a long-term predictable funding mechanism to achieve its mandate of protecting and presenting Canada’s national heritage places. As part of this project, the Agency will further refine its business model, management processes and overall governance in financial management and investment planning.

Complete the repair and restoration work of high priority infrastructure utilizing the $370 million allocated from Budget 2017 for the next two years.

Completed – Fully met

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada manages a built asset portfolio of some 18,224 assets across the country, including visitor experience, highways, waterways and heritage assets, with a current replacement value of approximately $26.5 billion. Since 2014, the overall condition of Parks Canada’s portfolio of built assets has continued to improve as a result of an unprecedented infrastructure investment by the Government of Canada of approximately $4 billion, including $364 million announced in Budget 2019.
  • Capital funding allocated to the Agency through Budget 2017 has now been fully invested in the delivery of high priority repair and restoration projects to improve the condition of Parks Canada infrastructure assets. With the Agency’s federal infrastructure investment program still ongoing and many projects yet to be completed, a greater number of assets will have their condition improved at the conclusion of the program.

Restore sites that have experienced ecological or commemorative decline, and respond to the challenges of climate change.(continued)

For infrastructure and assets that have seen a deterioration (i.e., as defined in the State of Canada’s Natural and Cultural Heritage Places Report), plans to restore them will be developed, resources secured, and timelines established to undertake the work necessary to return them to a healthy state. To address this, we will:

• Complete an evaluation of strategic assets, and identify the resources needed to restore infrastructure, including national historic sites, to an acceptable state, or to decommission some infrastructure and rehabilitate the site.

• Complete the repair and restoration work of high priority infrastructure utilizing the $370 million allocated from Budget 2017 for the next two years.

Ensure that management plan review and renewal in Banff and Jasper national parks incorporates focused engagement on processes and approaches for decision making for large-scale commercial development that considers the priority of ecological integrity, as well as the principles of openness and transparency.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • In 2019, a What We Heard report was published, summarizing the first stage of public engagement for renewal of management plans for Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier and Waterton Lakes national parks. As part of these consultations, stakeholders were engaged on the process and approaches for decision making for large-scale commercial development. The results of these consultations will inform the draft management plans.
  • Parks Canada is developing individual draft management plans for further review and input during a second stage of public engagement. Feedback collected during this second stage will help to finalize each management plan and inform potential adjustments to commercial development processes.

Undertake a review of development and land-use management decision-making tools to ensure a consistent and transparent process for development decisions at Parks Canada places.

Completed – Fully met

• Details of accomplishments

  • Strict development limits are in place to protect the ecological integrity of national parks. Parks Canada has a rigorous development review and environmental assessment process that ensures all development proposals comply with these limits and healthy ecosystems are maintained.
  • In 2018, Parks Canada sought public input on how best to establish a streamlined framework for this planning permit process as a first step toward meeting this commitment. A What We Heard report was published in February 2019.
  • As a result of this review and consultation, the Agency is currently working with the Department of Justice to draft new regulations to replace the 1960s era framework governing how permits are granted for the use of land and construction in Parks Canada places. It is expected that the first draft of the proposed “Land Use Planning Regulations” will be complete in 2021.
  • In addition, regulatory interpretive guidelines are being developed to clearly outline the detailed steps to a modernized planning permit process. An updated fee schedule will be implemented to achieve cost recovery of planning and development services, and new compliance tools will help enhance protection and conservation efforts.
  • In 2019, the Agency established a Land Use Planning Services Unit to act as the lead for planning and development issues, finalizing delivery of all elements of the review, and to respond to stakeholder concerns by providing support to Parks Canada sites to ensure consistency and transparency in decision-making.
  • Public consultations will be planned to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to review the draft regulations and interpretative guidelines and discuss how the proposal meets the five key principles identified during the fall 2018 public consultations (protection of ecological integrity, flexibility, consistency, transparency, public participation).

Ensure that the highest standards of environmental assessment are applied to new development and re-development proposals in national parks, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada is implementing the 2019 Impact Assessment Act. Notices are posted on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry and provide increased transparency regarding assessments being conducted. Since mid 2019, Parks Canada has posted 54 notices providing increased transparency about the assessments being conducted. Six national, pre-approved routine impact assessments have been approved and posted on the Internet. In addition, pre-approved routine impact assessments are conducted on even the smallest projects to help ensure that high quality, consistent mitigations are put in place.
  • Parks Canada has participated in various stages of the environmental assessment led by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. For example, Parks Canada advises on the impacts of increased traffic and user conflict in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park for the Énergie Saguenay Project.
  • In 2019–2020, Parks Canada is piloting a new Continuous Improvement Program on impact assessment.

Explore ongoing improvements to transportation plans for Parks Canada places that experience high vehicle traffic, including initiatives to limit traffic, add shuttle services, or provide alternate transit and travel options. Parks Canada undertook a number of successful transportation initiatives to cope with high visitation levels in the summer of 2017, which serve as positive examples.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada continues to develop and implement visitor-use management tools for high visitation places, based on the successes of visitation management achieved during the free admission year of 2017.
  • Parks Canada is partnering with the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission to implement transit solutions in Banff National Park. The investment will continue to fund service connections between the Banff and Calgary area, as well as local Banff area transit services, including connections to Lake Louise, Lake Minnewanka, the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Tunnel Mountain campgrounds, Johnston Canyon and the Upper Hot Springs. This will help visitors access and enjoy popular attractions while protecting wildlife and the nature they call home.

Review the commercialization and development that occur in national parks, particularly in Banff and Jasper national parks.

Ensure science guides decision-making at Parks Canada and reinvest in science capacity.

Maintaining and restoring ecological integrity requires limits on development in national parks, particularly those where development can impact ecosystem health. Protecting national parks by limiting development is also a direction in the Minister’s 2015 Mandate Letter.

At the same time national parks play an important role in our tourism sector. Commercial activity in our parks can positively facilitate the visitor and recreational experience, provide opportunities to attract a broader diversity of Canadians to our natural heritage, and help support local communities. In order to ensure that ecological integrity is not compromised, we will take the following actions:

• Ensure that management plan review and renewal in Banff and Jasper national parks incorporates focused engagement on processes and approaches for decision-making for large-scale commercial development that considers the priority of ecological integrity as well as the principles of openness and transparency.

• Undertake a review of development and land use management decision-making tools to ensure a consistent and transparent process for development decisions at Parks Canada places.

• Ensure that the highest standards of environmental assessment are applied to new development and redevelopment proposals in national parks, national marine conservation areas, and national historic sites.

• Explore ongoing improvements to transportation plans for Parks Canada places that experience high vehicle traffic, including initiatives to limit traffic, add shuttle services, or provide alternate transit and travel options. Parks Canada undertook a number of successful transportation initiatives to respond to high visitation levels in the summer of 2017, which serve as positive examples.

Update the National Parks and National Historic Sites system plans.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Since the early 1970s, the National Parks System Plan has guided the establishment of new national parks in Canada. A scoping exercise is underway to determine the best approach for revising and renewing the National Parks System Plan. Additional consideration is being given to ways that the establishment of new parks can support the Government of Canada’s commitment to conserve 25% of Canada’s land and 25% of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working toward 30 per cent of each by 2030.
  • The Framework for History and Commemoration: National Historic Sites System Plan 2019 outlines a new approach for sharing the stories of Canada through wide-ranging and sometimes complex perspectives, including the difficult periods of its past. In particular, the Framework will ensure that the history and voices of Indigenous peoples are incorporated at heritage places managed by Parks Canada.

Review legislative measures, financial tools and best practices to strengthen heritage conservation and protection. Advance Parks Canada’s leadership role in the broader cultural heritage community and provide standards and guidelines for the conservation of historic places outside of Parks Canada sites. This will involve liaising with other government departments and agencies to ensure a consistent standard of heritage conservation occurs across the federal government.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • The Agency is working on a research plan that examines the economic, socio-cultural, well-being and environmental impacts of heritage places conservation. This work is taking place in collaboration with other levels of government and with stakeholder organizations.

In partnership with provinces and territories, provide leadership in the implementation of international commitments, including the United Nations World Heritage Convention.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada has renewed its International Strategy, which will help guide the Agency’s engagement in international activities over the next five years (2020–2025).
  • Parks Canada provides support and guidance to World Heritage site managers in Canada and to sites on Canada’s Tentative List during the preparation of nominations.
  • At the request of the World Heritage Committee, the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous communities, and stakeholders, developed a comprehensive Action Plan to protect Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site and ensure that it is safeguarded for current and future generations. Implementation of the Action Plan is already underway. The World Heritage Committee adopted a decision on the state of conservation of Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site and did not inscribe Wood Buffalo National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
  • In 2019, Parks Canada supported the successful nomination and inscription on the list of World Heritage Sites of Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi.
  • Parks Canada submitted the requested State of Conservation Report on Gros Morne World Heritage Site to the World Heritage Centre in November 2019.
  • In October 2019, Parks Canada participated in an arctic world heritage conference on the urgent need to conserve natural and cultural heritage in the Arctic region.
  • At the meeting of the World Heritage Committee in July 2019, Parks Canada sponsored a side event focusing on Indigenous languages and the role of Indigenous peoples within the World Heritage Commission.

Engage Indigenous organizations on amendments to the Historic Sites and Monuments Act, to provide for permanent Indigenous representation on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada and Indigenous peoples work together to develop interpretive materials and activities at national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas, with the goal of fostering a better understanding of Indigenous peoples’ cultures and traditions.
  • In November 2018, Parks Canada brought together 66 Indigenous cultural heritage experts and practitioners to discuss, among other things, how to provide for Indigenous representation on the Board. The results of this engagement directly influenced The Framework for History and Commemoration: National Historic Sites System Plan 2019.
  • The Indigenous Cultural Heritage Advisory Council has been established to provide advice to Parks Canada on cultural heritage-related projects or initiatives, including guidance on amendments to the Historic Sites and Monuments Act.

Conserve our cultural heritage.

Ensure science guides decision-making at Parks Canada and reinvest in science capacity.

Parks Canada plays a key role in protecting and conserving the nation’s cultural heritage. To strengthen this role, we will:

• Update the National Parks and National Historic Sites System Plans.

• Review legislative measures, financial tools, and best practices to strengthen heritage conservation and protection. Advance Parks Canada’s leadership role in the broader cultural heritage community, and provide standards and guidelines for the conservation of historic places outside of Parks Canada sites. This will involve liaising with other government departments and agencies to ensure a consistent standard of heritage conservation occurs across the Federal government.

• In partnership with provinces and territories, provide leadership in the implementation of international commitments, including the United Nations World Heritage Convention.

• Engage Indigenous organizations on amendments to the Historic Sites and Monuments Act, to provide for permanent Indigenous representation on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Adopting the principles respecting the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples as the framework for a renewed partnership.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada participates in many different negotiations across the country, including park establishment and Crown-Indigenous processes that are based on the recognition and implementation of Indigenous rights.
  • Parks Canada has engaged in 74 modern treaty and rights recognition tables, making significant progress toward rights recognition agreements in Atlantic Canada and helping reach an Agreement-in-Principle with Dididaht and Pacheedaht First Nation.
  • The Agency’s 2019 “Mapping Change” report supports and tracks internal shifts to legislation, policy and practice that support reconciliation and implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action within the Agency and underscores the role that every Parks Canada business unit has to play in advancing reconciliation. The Mapping Change report was released to the public, shared directly with National Indigenous Organizations, and communicated to all team members in July 2019. The Indigenous Affairs Branch has presented on its approach through interdepartmental meetings and direct engagement with other departments. Engagement with staff is ongoing, and planning for the first annual report on progress to implement the 41 commitments is underway.
  • Part of a restructuring within the Human Resources Directorate included the creation of an Indigenous Workforce Recruitment and Development team that is working on a collaborative basis with the Indigenous Affairs Branch to support acquisition of Indigenous talent along with an inclusive workplace for the development and retention of our Indigenous workforce.

Collaborating with Indigenous groups and communities in the management of all Parks Canada places, including in management planning.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada is committed to a system of national heritage places that recognizes and honours the contributions of Indigenous peoples, their histories and cultures, as well as the special relationships Indigenous peoples have with traditional lands and waters.
  • Currently, over 30 Parks Canada heritage places are managed through cooperative management bodies or advisory relationships with local Indigenous governments.
  • All management plans are developed in consultation with Indigenous peoples, who are valued partners in the management of national heritage places. Parks Canada continues to tailor its approach in keeping with the needs of Indigenous communities and partners.
  • The Indigenous Cultural Heritage Advisory Council has been established to provide advice to Parks Canada on cultural heritage-related projects or initiatives, with the goal of advancing reconciliation and supporting the Agency in managing the heritage places in its care in the spirit of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
  • On April 16, 2019, the Government of Canada and Inuit Heritage Trust signed the Franklin Artifact Memorandum of Understanding, detailing how the two organizations will work together to protect, study, conserve and share these important artifacts.
  • Canada and the Timiskaming First Nation worked together to co-manage Obadjiwan-Fort Témiscamingue National Historic Site. Through this agreement, the Government of Canada will transfer 50% of the ownership of the national historic site into a trust to better represent Indigenous history. Co-ownership will help protect Indigenous history and culture and enable the Timiskaming First Nation to be directly involved in the management of the national historic site. With this new agreement and name, the site will now better reflect 6,500 years of Indigenous land use and occupation in Obadjiwan and the surrounding area of Lake Temiskaming.

Facilitating opportunities to restore historic connection to traditionally used lands and waters.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada is facilitating opportunities for Indigenous peoples to restore their connections to traditionally used lands and waters by:
    • continuing the implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Open Doors program and promoting the Agency’s “PARKS” principles through communications and management planning processes;
    • negotiating cooperative management arrangements and co-developing stewardship plans and constructive agreements related to exercising section 35 rights in national parks; and
    • increasing the presence of Guardians programs in national parks and national historic sites.
  • In 2019, Parks Canada recognized the International Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL), as declared by the United Nations. In addition to over 150 existing Indigenous language initiatives at Parks Canada places across the country, ranging from visitor experience programs to including Indigenous languages on signage, Parks Canada developed a number of promotional items to promote the IYIL. For example, four new Indigenous language projects were funded to encourage the use of Indigenous languages on signage.

Involving Indigenous peoples in conservation programs and ensuring that Indigenous traditional knowledge and Arctic marine science informs conservation and management decisions.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada’s Conservation and Restoration program (CoRe) demonstrates how the Agency is working to protect ecological integrity and illustrates the Government’s commitment to science and Indigenous knowledge as the foundation for conservation action. Examples of Indigenous involvement are highlighted in the 2018 CoRe Report.
  • The Conservation and Restoration program criteria were updated to encourage projects to better include Indigenous partners from the early stages of project planning.
  • In 2018–2019, approximately 70% of CoRe projects were active in engaging Indigenous Nations, communities or People, and 56% wove Indigenous knowledge into their work. For example, Indigenous partners have been an integral component of the Bring Back the Boreal project, including planning and consultation, implementation, and outreach. Indigenous land and moose management concepts and knowledge have been woven into the project throughout implementation.
  • Parks Canada entered into a four-year contribution agreement with the Assembly of First Nations’ Environment Sector to ensure that existing and future programs and guidance efforts better reflect First Nations perspectives, values, and knowledge.

Acting on the work of the Indigenous Circle of Experts, who have submitted a report to the Minister on how Indigenous people can contribute to achieving Canada’s conservation objectives.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada is participating in a joint initiative with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to support the Assembly of First Nations’ Elders Council in the development of Indigenous Knowledge Policy Principles that will guide the consideration of Indigenous knowledge by federal departments.
  • Parks Canada participates in the Indigenous Guardians Pilot Program steering committee, led by Environment and Climate Change Canada.
  • Parks Canada continues to engage with the Assembly of First Nations and a number of local indigenous partners in the development of marine policy that will guide the management of national marine conservation areas.
  • The Métis National Council and Parks Canada have been advancing their work together and are in the early stages of developing a Contribution Agreement with associated workplan, current progress suggests that the workplan will be in place the 2020-21 fiscal year.

Working with Inuit, Métis and First Nations in the advancement of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • In October 2018, Parks Canada supported a national gathering of Indigenous governments and other experts to explore opportunities, tools and challenges for implementing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in Canada.
  • In August 2019, Parks Canada signed agreements with Indigenous governments and Government of the Northwest Territories to establish Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve. The national is part of the Thaidene Nëné Indigenous Protected Area as designated by the Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation, which includes the adjacent Thaidene Nëné Territorial Protected Area.
  • Parks Canada is engaged in a working group led by Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Assembly of First Nations to continue advancing this goal through Indigenous leadership and engagement in conservation, with a focus on the roll-out of the Nature Fund.

Where possible, expanding Indigenous stewardship and Guardians programs and initiatives at Parks Canada places as a core element of a renewed partnership.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada continues to advance means of supporting Indigenous stewardship of heritage places, including through:
    • Negotiation of cooperative management arrangements;
    • Participating in whole-of-government and Parks Canada-specific efforts to establish policy and best practice for working with Indigenous knowledge and Indigenous knowledge holders; and
    • Participating in the implementation of the Indigenous Guardians Pilot Program (led by Environment and Climate Change Canada).
  • Specific examples include support for the Nauttiqsuqtiit Inuit Steward Program in Talliurutup Imanga and the Jasper Indigenous Guardian Initiative, and development of a Guardians program by the Northwest Territories Métis for Wood Buffalo National Park and Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve. These later developments involve negotiating cooperative management arrangements and co-developing stewardship plans and constructive agreements related to exercising section 35 rights in national parks.

Work with Indigenous peoples and communities on opportunities for interpretive and storytelling programs rooted in traditional activities and traditional knowledge.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • The Stories of Canada program is supporting 25 projects at almost 40 sites across the Parks Canada Agency system to accelerate the implementation of the Framework for History and Commemoration from an Indigenous perspective.
  • Parks Canada works with Indigenous communities across the country to provide opportunities for Indigenous peoples to tell the stories of their history and culture. Some examples include:
    • Parks Canada staff in Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area are working with the Pawgwasheeng (Pays Plat First Nation) to bring their stories, teachings and language to the Marine Conservation Area through the development of Indigenous carvings and Interpretive panels representing the Seven Grandfather Teachings. A fire circle etched with the symbols of the seven teachings will offer opportunities for the Pawgwasheeng community to offer storytelling programs.
    • Fort Langley National Historic Site is collaborating with the Coast Salish Arts and Cultural Society and Kwantlen First Nation to publish a book, We are Kwantlen, to bring their stories, history and culture to the community through a book launch and presentations.
    • Saoyú-Ɂehdacho National Historic Site Culture Camp. In collaboration with the community of Délı̨nę, an authentic Sahtú Dene cultural camp has been completed, providing a space for traditional activities to take place within the community. This community-based cultural camp will provide opportunities for elders, knowledge keepers, youth and community to come together to share their stories, history and to celebrate their culture.

Recognize and support the role that Indigenous peoples play in managing and conserving spaces, and engage First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in decision-making that affects their traditional territories or cultural heritage

Advancing Parks Canada’s collaboration with Indigenous peoples to strengthen the Agency’s most important relationship in the spirit of reconciliation by:

• Adopting the Principles respecting the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples as the framework for a renewed partnership.

• Collaborating with Indigenous groups and communities in the management of all Parks Canada places, including in management planning.

• Facilitating opportunities to restore historic connection to traditionally used lands and waters.

• Involving Indigenous peoples in conservation programs and ensuring that Indigenous traditional knowledge and Arctic marine science informs conservation and management decisions.

• Acting on the work of the Indigenous Circle of Experts, who have submitted a report to the Minister on how Indigenous people can contribute to achieving Canada’s conservation objectives.

• Work with Inuit, Métis, and First Nations in the advancement of indigenous protected and conserved areas.

• Where possible, expanding Indigenous stewardship and guardians programs and initiatives in Parks Canada places as a core element of a renewed partnership.

• Work with Indigenous peoples and communities on opportunities for interpretive and storytelling programs rooted in traditional activities and traditional knowledge.

As Parks Canada continually renews its interpretive and outreach programming, ensure that there is a strong focus on:
- Creating a meaningful connection to nature and history and nurturing a strong culture of conservation in Canada;
- Promoting ecosystem science and learning opportunities and links to citizen science programs; and
- Working with other jurisdictions and “gateway communities” to provide interconnected experiences that go beyond park boundaries.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada is continually diversifying experiences and renewing interpretive and outreach programming, to encourage exploration and learning, with a focus on fostering meaningful connections to nature and history. Activities and achievements to date include:
    • Development and delivery of a far-reaching outreach and engagement program through the telling of conservation stories, promoting Parks Canada science and introducing new audiences to nature and history;
    • Development of ocean engagement tools and Web content, to raise awareness on the impacts of single-use plastics;
    • Delivery of a national science and conservation promotional strategy integrating content into all of Parks Canada’s digital channels;
    • Learning opportunities created through Learn-to Camp experiences and the new Learn-to Camp content on the updated Parks Canada mobile application;
    • Development and delivery of citizen science initiatives such as Bioblitz and “Bioblitz in a Box” programs, which are fun and educational activities that allow volunteers to team up with scientists to discover plant and animal species and contribute to their protection;
    • Working with Indigenous partners to create Indigenous tourism opportunities that link communities and parks/sites to provide interconnected experiences and funding to assist with these developments;
    • Canada Historic Places Day, organized in partnership with the National Trust Canada, is a special day to showcase and share heritage places and their stories and how Parks Canada works to commemorate Canada’s history; and
    • Hometown and Home Port Heroes programs engage and involve gateway communities in making meaningful connections with their local military history.
  • In 2019, the Government of Canada announced plans for the new Rouge National Urban Park education and welcome centre. Parks Canada and Toronto Zoo reached an agreement to enhance visitor experiences at the Rouge while supporting the Zoo’s endangered species breeding facilities. The facility will be a centre for students, visitors, and residents to gather and learn about the Rouge’s incredible natural, cultural, agricultural, and Indigenous heritage, as well as about Parks Canada’s places across the country.

As Parks Canada continually improves its visitor experience programming and introduces new offers, each park and site that offers staffed programming will apply innovative approaches to communications, marketing and the use of technology to enhance the visitor experience and bring our places to Canadians—without compromising the principles of ecological or commemorative integrity.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • The Parks Canada mobile application has reached nearly 300,000 downloads and provides visitors with the information and resources they need to plan their visit to Parks Canada places and discover hidden gems and other unique and memorable experiences at national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas.
  • Parks Canada actively uses social media to ensure visitors are up to date about in-park activities and opportunities to connect with Parks Canada staff. A virtual reality programming was developed and used at outreach events to showcase our places.
  • Parks Canada’s e-newsletter reaches 2.4 million subscribers 5 times per year and engages with key audiences on a regular basis through targeted communications on trip planning. In addition, science and conservation initiatives are promoted in each edition.

Expand the Learn-to Camp program to ensure that more low- and middle-income families and new Canadians have an opportunity to experience Canada’s outdoors, including urban regions.

Completed – Fully met

• Details of accomplishments

  • The Agency is committed to supporting the Minister's mandate letter by expanding the Learn-to Camp program to meet the target that 400,000 kids each year learn basic camping skills and to provide a bursary for children and their families who live in poverty or underprivileged circumstances that create significant barriers to visiting national or provincial parks.
  • The Learn-to Camp program was expanded in 2017 to enable more Canadians to connect with nature. In 2019, over 110,000 individuals across the country participated in the program. Learn-to Camp hubs in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax have events happening year-round.

Evaluate opportunities for Parks Canada to expand and enhance its winter programs and park openings in the winter and shoulder season.

Completed – Fully met

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada manages visitation levels and ensures quality visitor experiences, including growth, where appropriate, and geographical or temporal redistribution of visitation, as necessary.
  • Parks Canada’s Seasonality Guidelines are in place to help evaluate opportunities for cost-effective delivery of winter and off-season programming.

Focus the visitor experience on a connection to nature and history.

Parks Canada is committed to the development of programs and services that encourage Canadians to experience national parks and national historic sites, and learn more about the natural environment and Canada’s heritage. To achieve this we will:

• As Parks Canada continually renews its interpretive and outreach programming, ensure that there is a strong focus on:

  • Creating a meaningful connection to nature and history, and nurturing a strong culture of conservation in Canada;

  • Promoting ecosystem science and learning opportunities, and links to citizen science programs; and

  • Working with other jurisdictions and “gateway communities” to provide interconnected experiences that go beyond park boundaries.

• As Parks Canada continually improves its visitor experience programming and introduces new offers, each park and site which offers staffed programming will apply innovative approaches to communications, marketing, and the use of technology to enhance the visitor experience and bring our places to Canadians—without compromising the principles of ecological or commemorative integrity.

• Expand the Learn-to Camp program to ensure that more low- and middle-income families and new Canadians have an opportunity to experience Canada’s outdoors, including urban regions.

• Evaluate opportunities for Parks Canada to expand and enhance its winter programs and park openings in the winter and shoulder season.

Further develop the Parks Canada mobile application that allows people to learn about Parks Canada places, including more science content, videos and images (since its launch, 170,000 downloads of the application have occurred).

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • The Parks Canada mobile application has reached nearly 300,000 downloads
  • Learn-to Camp content and trail maps for all Parks Canada places have been added to the mobile application.
  • The Agency will continue to improve online planning tools and reservation capabilities to support trip planning, including the addition of new features to the Parks Canada mobile application.

Add national historic sites to the Parks Canada mobile application, including plaques at non-Parks Canada-managed sites.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • The Agency will continue to improve online planning tools and reservation capabilities to support trip planning, including the addition of new features to the Parks Canada mobile app.

Encourage Parks Canada staff to connect directly with Canadians through applications, videos, emerging technologies such as virtual reality, images and social media to tell their stories and better connect with communities adjacent to their sites.

Completed – Fully met

• Details of accomplishments

  • In line with the Government of Canada's digital government vision, Parks Canada will integrate promotion, communication, outreach, education, social media, and web content into a Digital First approach.
  • Launched in 2018, Parks Canada’s “Parks Insiders” campaign continues to reach millions of Canadians, is focused on introducing Parks Canada scientists to Canadians, and to share important stories and conservation efforts made to protect wildlife and flora in Canada’s protected areas. Biographies of scientists with interviews and video content were launched and are featured online.
  • A 2018 social media campaign called People @ Parks also focused on parks staff and scientists.
  • A total of 55 videos were developed and launched in 2018, featuring Parks Canada and its staff.
  • The Parks Canada mobile application has been downloaded nearly 300,000 times.
  • Virtual reality is currently being used at events to allow Canadians to imagine themselves in a Parks Canada place.

Create more opportunities for parks staff and scientists to tell the story of Canada’s natural and historical places outside of Parks Canada places (e.g. in schools and community centres).

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada will continue to diversify experiences and renew interpretive and outreach programming, to encourage exploration and learning, with a focus on fostering meaningful connections to nature and history.
  • In 2019, the Government of Canada released extraordinary, never-before-seen images and video footage of HMS Terror as part of one of the largest, most complex underwater archaeological undertakings in Canadian history. During Gjoa Haven’s annual Umiyaqtutt Festival (meaning “shipwreck” in Inuktitut), school children and the community of Gjoa Haven were the first to view the images.
  • Parks Canada has a partnership with several publications that enable Agency staff and scientists to tell the story of Canada’s special places. Publication partners include:
    • OWL magazine, Kayak magazine; Canada's History magazine; and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
  • Parks Canada’s Insider campaign introduced biographies of scientists with interviews and video content online.
  • The social media campaign, People @ Parks, focused on introducing parks staff and scientists to Canadians.
  • The Science and Conservation Interactive Story Map has introduced new stories with strong science and conservation messaging to Canadians.
  • Each time a new product is launched at Parks Canada, whether it is new technology, a new video, a new “in-park” product, an event of interest, or the establishment of a new protected area, an opportunity is created for the Minister to share Parks Canada's work. The Minister also regularly shares news and updates from Parks Canada through his social media platforms.

Create opportunities for the Minister to share with Canadians the work of Parks Canada.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Opportunities for the Minister to share with Canadians advancements in the protection and conservation of Canada’s culture and nature are facilitated through special events, announcements, stakeholder gatherings and social media platforms. For example, in February 2020, Minister Wilkinson, along with the President of Inuit Heritage Trust and the President of Kitikmeot Inuit Association, shared in the unveiling of newly discovered, jointly-owned artifacts from the HMS Erebus—one of the storied ships of the 1845 Franklin Expedition.

Innovate in Communications and Engagement.

Helping Canadians discover Parks Canada places through communications and engagement is an important part of creating a deeper connection. Effective communications, in turn, can be amplified by the voices of parks staff and scientists. To do this we will:

• Further develop the Parks Canada mobile app that allows people to learn about Parks Canada places, including more science content, videos, and images (since its launch, 170,000 downloads of the app have occurred).

• Add national historic sites to the Parks Canada mobile app, including plaques at non-Parks Canada managed sites.

• Encourage Parks Canada staff to connect directly with Canadians through apps, videos, emerging technologies such as virtual reality, images, and social media to tell their stories, and better connect with communities adjacent to their sites.

• Create more opportunities for parks staff and scientists to tell the story of Canada’s natural and historical places outside of Parks Canada places (for example in schools and community centres).

• Create opportunities for the Minister to share with Canadians the work of Parks Canada.

In partnership with other jurisdictions and non-profit organizations, develop products and materials that help youth learn more about national parks and national historic sites.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada will continue to use outreach, promotion and partnerships to encourage Canadians to experience national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. By delivering innovative programs and services, Parks Canada will introduce children and families to a lifetime of outdoor and cultural activities and foster learning about the environment and Canada's heritage.
  • Canada's Coolest School Trip involves hosting a classroom at a Parks Canada place, through a competition among Canadian schools. Classes must submit a photo essay or video on a conservation initiative in their community to be entered into the competition.
  • Learning on Sustainable Future: As a 2018–2019 pilot, Parks Canada entered into a contribution agreement with Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF) for the EcoLeague program. EcoLeague is a sustainable community capacity-building model designed by LSF to stimulate youth education and engagement in sustainability/community activities for students K–12. This past year, Parks Canada’s contribution has enabled 38 schools to participate in the program, engaging youth in sustainability projects.
  • Parks Canada has a partnership with OWL magazine (children's publication) to feature Parks Canada content and tell the story of Parks Canada places, including science and history. Printed stories include “Kelp Forest,” “Loons” and “Urban Coyotes.” Upcoming stories include “Bison reintroduction,” “Fire Management,” “Indigenous-led Conservation Work,” “Belugas” and more.
  • Parks Canada also has a partnership with Kayak magazine (children’s publication), which resulted in significant content on Canada 150, Treaties with First Nations and (forthcoming) understanding the importance of who tells history and why.

Develop additional opportunities for youth to get involved with Parks Canada, whether through employment in Green Jobs at Parks Canada places or as volunteers or members of the Agency’s campus clubs network.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • In 2019, the Agency participated in a Government of Canada pilot initiative to assist in the development of more fulsome government-wide programming for youth facing barriers to entering the labour market.
  • In 2019–2020, Parks Canada hired over 2,000 youth in a variety of positions and locations across Canada.
  • Parks Canada manages a volunteer program to coordinate activities and mobilize Canadians in Parks Canada places.
  • The Parks Canada Campus Club network continues to grow in size and in level of activity. Volunteer Campus Club leaders organize activities on campus, in their communities and, with Parks Canada’s support, at Parks Canada locations to connect their peers to Canada’s nature and history. Working in partnership with Mountain Equipment Co-Op and the North Face, the Agency continues to explore ways to connect Campus Clubs to Parks Canada places.

Make admission to all Parks Canada places free for youth aged 17 and under, effective January 1, 2018. Consider further strategies to improve access for school programs and non-profit youth groups.

Completed – Fully met

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada will continue to use partnerships to encourage Canadians to experience national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas.

Strategies to Engage Youth.

A focus on youth is important to Parks Canada, and to demonstrate this we will:

• In partnership with other jurisdictions and non-profit organizations, develop products and materials that help youth learn more about national parks and national historic sites.

• Develop additional opportunities for youth to get involved with Parks Canada, whether through employment in Green Jobs at Parks Canada places or as volunteers or members of Parks Canada’s campus clubs network.

• Make admission to all Parks Canada places free for youth aged 17 and under, effective January 1, 2018. Consider further strategies to improve access for school programs and non-profit youth groups.

Research how Canada’s changing demographic profile impacts the ways people view and experience national parks and national historic sites. Based on this research, Parks Canada will adapt its programs and communications to ensure access to an increasingly diverse population.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • The 2019–2020 Youth Ambassadors were chosen with the theme of diversity and inclusion in mind. This year’s team is made up of Indigenous, Francophone and new Canadians who, as the “face” of Parks Canada’s youth programming, will better represent the diverse young Canadian population. In addition, they will bring diverse perspectives to the role, including Indigenous culture and heritage, knowledge of American Sign Language and new-Canadian experience.
  • Outreach activities also assist in reaching a diverse population: the Toronto Urban Outreach Team attended a large number of community cultural events and minority inclusive events, increasing interaction with a diverse audience, such as the Festival of India (2017), the Festival of South Asia (2017, 2018), Taste of Little Italy (2018), the Dragon Boat Festival (yearly since 2015), Indigenous Peoples Day – Fort York (2017, 2018) and Toronto Pride (since 2015).
  • The Montreal Urban Outreach Team attended the Week-ends du monde festival and the Festival Présence autochtone. The Ottawa Urban Outreach Team was present at Indigenous Day Live (2017, 2018), the Pride Picnic event (2017, 2018) and Ottawa Pride (2017, 2018) and, finally, the Vancouver Urban Outreach Team attended Vancouver Pride (2017, 2018).
  • Other examples of adaptation within the Agency include the re-design of Parks Canada places to meet the diversified needs of visitors, including creating day-use areas to accommodate larger gatherings of families.
  • The Agency is exploring options and feasibility of translating public material (such as signs) into other languages.
  • The outreach programs in large urban areas continued to reach out to diverse audiences as in past years. Examples of events in which Parks Canada participated include Pride, the Festival of South Asia and the Taste of Little Italy in Toronto, and the Week-ends du monde and the Nuitée au consulat du Brésil in Montreal.

Continue to make admission to Parks Canada places free for one year for any adult who has become a Canadian citizen in the previous 12 months and encourage more Citizenship Ceremonies in Parks Canada places.

Completed – Fully met

• Details of accomplishments

  • Approximately 40,000 new citizens sign up each year for the Cultural Access Pass through the Institute for Canadian Citizenship. The number of new Canadian citizens using the Cultural Access Pass in Parks Canada places has steadily increased from 1,973 in 2013 to 14,232 in 2016, to over 24,000 in 2019.
  • A Parks Canada citizenship leaflet is distributed at all citizenship ceremonies across the country. In 2017, approximately 250,000 leaflets were handed out and, in 2018, approximately 270,000 were handed out. Presently, the demand is close to 300,000, commencing in 2019.
  • Parks Canada’s goal is to host a minimum of 10 citizenship ceremonies every year, welcoming approximately 2,000 people at Parks Canada places. In 2019, Parks Canada hosted 16 ceremonies where 825 new Canadians received their Canadian citizenship.

Help more low- and middle income families to visit and enjoy national parks and national historic sites.

Completed – Fully met

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada places will continue to be free for youth aged 17 and under.
  • Learn-to Camp opportunities will continue to have a focus on low- and middle-income families to create a connection between first-time campers and the Canadian camping experience, to build awareness of family health and wellness and to introduce families to a lifetime of outdoor activities.

As part of the program to restore Parks Canada infrastructure and assets, ensure that improvements allow for greater access to people with varying abilities. Parks Canada will also incorporate new national accessibility legislation that aims to promote equality of opportunity and participation for people of varying abilities.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada has implemented improvements to accessibility at visitor centres, campgrounds and front-country facilities across the country as part of its ongoing investments in asset renewal and restoration.
  • Accessibility guidelines for washrooms (inclusivity) are in development.
  • Parks Canada is developing an action plan to respond to the new Accessible Canada Act to demonstrate leadership in equality.

Use technology, communications and marketing to reach a more diverse audience.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • New technologies to allow different audiences to access Parks Canada places without visiting in person have been developed, including virtual reality in urban outreach events and videos for the website that allow 360-degree view points/access.
  • Parks Canada’s national advertising campaigns target Canada’s urban centres, thereby reaching a more diverse population. Parks Canada chooses specific media placements to ensure that the Agency’s campaigns reach culturally diverse audiences.
  • Parks Canada always endeavours to ensure its imagery and video content are reflective of Canada’s diverse population.
  • Parks Canada’s Discover Canada contest is part of the Agency’s promotional campaign to expand reach, raise awareness of Parks Canada places and to help stimulate pride in and protection of these places.
  • Parks Canada’s newsletter reaches 2.4 million subscribers (sent 5 times per year), allowing the Agency to expand its reach and to engage with key audiences on a regular basis through targeted communications.

Reach New Audiences and Encourage Diversity.

Encouraging diversity among visitors to Parks Canada places is a priority. The goal is to ensure more Canadians are able to experience and enjoy national parks and national historic sites, with a particular emphasis on people who have had little opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. To do this we will:

• Research how Canada’s changing demographic profile impacts the ways people view and experience national parks and national historic sites. Based on this research, Parks Canada will adapt its programs and communications to ensure access to an increasingly diverse population.

• Continue to make admission to Parks Canada places free for one year for any adult who has become a Canadian citizen in the previous 12 months, and encourage more Citizenship Ceremonies in Parks Canada places.

• Help more low- and middle income families to visit and enjoy national parks and national historic sites.

• As part of the program to restore Parks Canada infrastructure and assets, ensure that improvements allow for greater access to people with varying abilities. Parks Canada will also incorporate new national accessibility legislation that aims to promote equality of opportunity and participation for people of varying abilities.

• Use technology, communications, and marketing to reach a more diverse audience.

Develop new and innovative ways through interpretive programs, digital technologies and partnerships to share stories and profiles of Canada’s historic places.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • “Imagine a Country” is an interactive exhibit offered at five National Historic Sites via a pop-up outreach photo booth and on social media. It’s also an example of how to approach difficult interpretation by getting visitors to engage in meaningful, thought-provoking discussions and experiences.
  • Parks Canada now has 31 places that can be enjoyed virtually through Google Street View.
  • A number of national historic sites have new interpretive experiences that feature digital technologies:
    • The exhibit “State of Play” at Sir George Étienne Cartier National Historic Site;
    • Halifax at War: 1944 – a virtual reality experience at Halifax Citadel National Historic Site;
    • The Rouge National Urban Park app to explore the park’s rich history, forest and trails;
    • Minecraft virtual reality at Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, an experience that allows visitors to tour the four fur trading posts;
    • An interactive tablet tour at Fort Anne National Historic Site where visitors discover hidden stories while walking along the grounds of the fort and uncover first-person animated accounts;
    • Virtual reality interpretation at Province House National Historic Site.

Ensure that stories from new Canadians, who are often underrepresented in the historical narrative, are developed and told in parks and historic sites.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  The Stories of Canada program is supporting 25 projects touching almost 40 sites across the Parks Canada Agency system to accelerate the implementation of the Framework for History and Commemoration from an Indigenous perspective. The following sites have been selected to advance and co-develop with new ways of understanding and experiencing the importance of these places and the stories they hold.

  • Cave and Basin and Rocky Mountain House National Historic Sites
  • Jasper National Park
  • Waterton Lakes National Park
  • Yoho and Kootenay National Parks
  • Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site
  • Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve and Torngat Mountains National Park
  • Kouchibouguac National Park
  • Fundy National Park
  • Fort Anne National Historic Site
  • Fort Chambly National Historic Site
  • Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site
  • La Mauricie National Park/Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site
  • Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area
  • Point Pelee National Park
  • Rouge National Urban Park/Southwest Ontario National Historic Sites
  • Prince Albert National Park
  • Fort Battleford National Historic Site
  • Pingo Canadian Landmark
  • Saoyú-Ɂehdacho National Historic Site
  • Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks and Rogers Pass National Historic Site
  • Gulf Island National Park Reserve
  • Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve
  • Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
  • Fort Langley National Historic Site
  • Yukon Field Unit – Vuntut National Park, Kluane National Park Reserve, Dawson Historical Complex National Historic Site, Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site, S.S. Klondike National Historic Site.

Innovate in Sharing Historic Sites.

Parks Canada plays a key role in telling stories about our diverse heritage, and access to historic sites is an important way for visitors to enhance their experience of our past. In order to strengthen this role, we will:

• Develop new and innovative ways through interpretive programs, digital technologies, and partnerships to share stories and profiles of Canada’s historic places.

• Ensure that stories from new Canadians, who are often underrepresented in the historical narrative, are developed and told in parks and historic sites.

Work with Indigenous peoples and communities on Indigenous stewardship and Guardians initiatives, ensure that these efforts can apply to national historic sites and can include sharing Indigenous stories and history.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Working together with approximately 300 Indigenous groups across Canada, Parks Canada and Indigenous peoples are partners in conserving Canada’s natural and cultural heritage and sharing the stories of these treasured places. Some examples include:
    • At the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, the Coast Salish people are engaged in ecological restoration, applying traditional land management practices and promoting species of cultural interest (food, medicine, traditional uses) in restoration.
    • In Jasper National Park, Parks Canada is continuing to build relationships and invite Indigenous partners' input on park management and operations through the Jasper Indigenous Forum.
    • At Fort Battleford National Historic Site, Parks Canada is working together with Indigenous groups to create an Indigenous Advisory Board to ensure Indigenous voices are an intrinsic part of revitalized programming that reflects the Indigenous history of the area.
  • Parks Canada has allocated $4.7 million to Indigenous tourism development initiatives across the country since 2017.
  • Parks Canada is engaging with Indigenous persons and communities to bring their stories to its places through the Hometown and Home Port Heroes programs and through other historical commemoration programs. So far, 25 Indigenous people, representing various nations, have been recognized as Hometown Heroes for their contributions in either the First or Second World War, or both.
  • In 2019, Parks Canada recognized the International Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL), as declared by the United Nations. In addition to over 150 existing Indigenous language initiatives at Parks Canada places across the country, ranging from visitor experience programs to including Indigenous languages on signage, Parks Canada developed a number of items to promote IYIL. Four new Indigenous language projects were funded to encourage the use of Indigenous languages on signage.
  • The implementation of the Framework for History and Commemoration, combined with funding provided through Budget 2018, will help ensure Indigenous perspectives and history are incorporated into the stories presented at over 220 heritage places managed by Parks Canada.

Indigenous Storytelling and Stewardship.

Creating opportunities for Indigenous peoples to tell their own stories about sites of cultural significance would allow visitors to learn more about Indigenous history, and would be an important aspect of reconciliation. To facilitate this, we will:

• Work with Indigenous peoples and communities on Indigenous stewardship and guardians initiatives, ensure that these efforts can apply to national historic sites and can include sharing Indigenous stories and history.

Expand the inclusion of external perspectives to decision making at Parks Canada.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • The Minister’s Independent Working Group on ecological and commemorative integrity began its review in October 2018 and submitted its final recommendations to the Minister on March 31, 2019.
  • Parks Canada facilitated the work of the Indigenous Circle of Experts, which resulted in the release of the March 2018 report—We Rise Together—which explores the concept of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and their contribution to conservation outcomes.
  • Parks Canada engages local and regional key stakeholders and Indigenous communities early in the heritage site management planning process, and this engagement informs the preparation of the plan. The Agency also consults Canadians, Indigenous communities and stakeholders on a draft of the plan, and those perspectives are taken into account in its finalization. Different engagement strategies are undertaken, depending on the context and complexity of the heritage place. The Agency has engaged with Canadians in the development of 50 national park, national historic site and national marine conservation area management plans.
  • The first stage of public engagement for renewal of management plans across the Mountain national parks was conducted for Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks throughout 2019. Parks Canada invited Canadians to share their vision of what each of these national parks might look like at its future best, as well as the future challenges and opportunities that will be important to address in the next plans. As part of these consultations, Banff and Jasper engaged stakeholders on the process and approaches for decision-making for large-scale commercial development. A summary of comments that will inform the draft management plans was published in the What We Heard report in August 2019.
  • Parks Canada’s Mapping Change: Fostering a Culture of Reconciliation within Parks Canada provides guidance to improve Agency policies and tools to advance reconciliation. It provides actions and direction to support mechanism to enable effective participation by Indigenous voices in Agency governance and decision-making.
  • Parks Canada consults with national and regional tourism stakeholders in support of Canada’s Federal Tourism Strategy. Led by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, the strategy relies on the collaboration and active engagement of several agencies and departments to identify and implement actions for sustainable tourism growth.

Ensure that Parks Canada employee orientation and training materials make staff fully aware of and understand the priorities of ecological and commemorative integrity.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • A refreshed online course on ecological integrity has been designed and is available for all staff across Parks Canada.

Ask the Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada to ensure that the Agency’s performance management structures for managers and executives appropriately encompass and advance the priorities of ecological integrity and commemorative integrity as set out in the Canada National Parks Act and the Parks Canada Agency Act.

Completed – Fully met

• Details of accomplishments

  • All Parks Canada executives must commit to meet and support the Agency’s corporate priorities through the establishment and delivery of a Results Plan. The Results Plan sets out the Agency’s priorities to guide the executives’ business planning, is mandatory for all executives and is an important component of the Executive’s Performance Agreement. Natural and cultural conservation are key Agency priorities, and there are specific actions/commitments relating to ecological integrity and commemorative integrity.

Continue to promote greater gender equity and representation from Indigenous Canadians and minority groups.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • The Agency has also undertaken a fulsome review of its staffing practices to identify where these can be updated, modified or removed in keeping with best practice in talent acquisition and retention.
  • Parks Canada is initiating a multi-year action plan for diversity and inclusion in its workforce and workplace that will be completed by the end of 2021.

Governance and Decision Making.

Strong governance is critical to ensuring the actions noted in this document are addressed, to assist the Minister in her oversight of the Parks Canada Agency, and to help senior management by providing advice and guidance. To do this, we will:

• Expand the inclusion of external perspectives in decision-making at Parks Canada.

• Ensure that Parks Canada employee orientation and training materials make staff fully aware of and understand the priorities of ecological and commemorative integrity.

• Ask the Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada to ensure that the Agency’s performance management structures for managers and executives appropriately encompass and advance the priorities of ecological integrity and commemorative integrity as set out in the Canada National Parks Act and the Parks Canada Agency Act.

• Continue to promote greater gender equity and representation from Indigenous Canadians and minority groups.

Conduct a review of Parks Canada’s business model with a focus on ways to optimize the Agency’s assets, resources and revenues to better achieve the mandate of protecting and presenting Canada’s national heritage places.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada completed a comprehensive, national review of the condition and replacement value of its capital asset portfolio, an analysis of the funding required to support life-cycle management of the built asset portfolio and a plan to implement targeted adjustments to align its fees with the cost of delivering services.
  • In 2019–2020, the Agency has initiated a transformation of its funding model. Following Budget 2019 direction, the Agency will be adopting a new vote structure in 2021–22. Planning to establish two distinct vote structures for operating and capital spending is underway, which will help inform and optimize resource allocation across the Agency.
  • Parks Canada is also launching a transition to an accrual-based management regime in order to confirm a long-term predictable funding mechanism to achieve its mandate of protecting and presenting Canada’s national heritage places. As part of this project, the Agency will further refine its business model, management processes and overall governance in financial management and investment planning.
  • In 2021–22, Parks Canada will review its capacity, planning, financial management, business and performance measurement processes, systems and tools, to ensure it has robust, effective and efficient internal services to support program delivery and results for Canadians. The Agency will continue to strengthen its long-term asset planning and associated management framework with a view to securing long-term predictable funding. In addition, Parks Canada will finalize and begin implementation of a data strategy.

Complete an evaluation of strategic assets and identify the resources needed to restore infrastructure to an acceptable state, or to decommission some infrastructure and rehabilitate the site.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Building on the findings of the 2017–18 National Asset Review, ongoing analysis is underway for the funding required to support effective life-cycle management and sustain Parks Canada’s diverse portfolio of assets. The Agency is on track with its development of a long-term capital investment plan to address ongoing requirements for asset maintenance and recapitalization.
  • Parks Canada is developing options to provide clearer direction on how national heritage places should be designated and preserved, and working to develop comprehensive legislation on federally owned heritage places. This work will help prioritize investments for the protection of commemorative integrity. Engagement with stakeholders, Indigenous partners, as well as provinces and territories, is planned for 2020–21 to inform specific recommendations.

Develop a longer-term operational funding strategy that allows a degree of financial security for Parks Canada to deliver on its mandate.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • In early 2020, Parks Canada sought and received support to proceed with a request for securing long-term capital funding under an accrual budgeting model, similar to other large federal custodians such as the Department of National Defence. Establishing such a long-term framework will require time for adequate forecasting and planning. In the interim, the Agency is also seeking to maintain its current level of investment to continue to improve the condition of its assets, retain its unique expertise and workforce (for example, heritage, waterways, highways, marine conservation) and offer economic opportunities in communities located across Canada, including in remote and northern locations.

Evaluate park fees to ensure they do not pose a barrier to access.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada consulted with Canadians on value-added services and associated fees. Adjustments will be made to fees for value-added services such as special event permits, visitor transportation and parking.
  • Further adjustments will be made in accordance with the Service Fees Act.

Undertake up-to-date research on the economic value of Parks Canada operations to the Canadian economy, including the benefits to local communities.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada continues to update research on the economic value of Parks Canada, including the release of the 2017–2018 Economic Impacts of the Parks Canada Agency.
  • The next update to the Economic Impacts of the Parks Canada Agency will be in 2020.

Update the evaluation of the natural capital and value of national parks.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada has completed an analysis of the value of natural capital. The Agency is currently exploring how to further refine this analysis.

Full Economics of Parks.

To address the issue of stable and adequate funding, we will review the financial model for Parks Canada:

• Conduct a review of Parks Canada’s business model with a focus on ways to optimize the Agency’s assets, resources, and revenues to better achieve the mandate of protecting and presenting Canada’s national heritage places.

• Complete an evaluation of strategic assets, and identify the resources needed to restore infrastructure to an acceptable state, or to decommission some infrastructure and rehabilitate the site.

• Develop a longer-term operational funding strategy that allows a degree of financial security for Parks Canada to deliver on its mandate.

• Evaluate park fees to ensure they do not pose a barrier to access.

• Undertake up-to-date research on the economic value of Parks Canada operations to the Canadian economy, including the benefits to local communities.

• Update the evaluation of the natural capital and value of our national parks.

More closely align and collaborate with Environment and Climate Change Canada, particularly on research related to climate change, species at risk and the Arctic.

Completed – Fully met

• Details of accomplishments

  • In 2020, workshops between Parks Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada were held to develop joint, collaborative action on the priorities identified at a 2019 Science Symposium. Implementation of various initiatives began in March 2020 and will progress throughout 2021.

Work with communities neighbouring Parks Canada places to help advance shared goals for conservation and enjoyment of national parks, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada has supported a series of Integrated Conservation Planning initiatives that facilitate conservation at the broader landscape level. Parks Canada aims to optimize planning in support of natural resources conservation, climate change adaptation, species at risk, and Indigenous conservation. Examples of Integrated Conservation Planning initiatives supported so far include:
    • Multi-stakeholder meetings to address the social and ecological impacts of climate change in and around Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site.
    • Development of a conservation plan by and for the Nutashkuan Innu First Nation in the Mingan National Park Reserve.
    • Collaboration between science experts and Indigenous knowledge holders to inform effectiveness monitoring in Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area and Reserve.

Work with the private sector to enhance low-impact recreation opportunities that support a positive visitor experience.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada is finalizing a Trails Standard that will ensure sustainable trail principles in the planning, design, construction, management and maintenance of the entire trails network. It will continue to allow Parks Canada to support non-motorized, low-impact recreational activities, such as hiking, biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
  • Parks Canada continues to diversify its outdoor accommodations options, with products such as the Ôasis and the MicrOcube. These unique accommodations allow visitors to stay overnight in a very low footprint structure that has limited contact with, and impact on, the ground.
  • Traditional Parks Canada campgrounds are being renovated or rebuilt across the country. For example, the Whistlers campground in Jasper National Park, Jeremy's Bay campground in Kejimkujik National Park and Crandell mountain campground in Waterton Lakes National Park are undergoing retrofits that include a more accessible and inclusive offer, more energy-efficient facilities and a modernized layout. Parks Canada continues to offer overnight, low-impact accommodation options that allow millions of Canadians to discover and stay in touch with nature and culture.
  • The Agency works with private-sector partners to make available to visitors a wide range of equipment options that facilitate low-impact recreational activities. For example, in partnership with not-for-profit organizations and private organizations, visitors are able to rent equipment such as canoes in Point Pelee National Park and boats and bikes in Kouchibouguac National Park.
  • In partnership with multiple local guiding and outfitter organizations, the Agency offers experiences such as hiking, guided river trips and whale watching experiences across the country. Some examples include river trips in Nahanni National Park Reserve, guided hikes, kayaking and surfing in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and whale-watching in Saguenay–St. Lawrence National Marine Conservation Area.

Further develop partnerships with organizations that have similar mandates to advance conservation science and protected areas in Canada.

Progress made – Actions taken

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada’s ongoing leadership on #NatureForAll has led to the continued growth of the initiative, which now includes more than 375 partners , including in Canada. Together, they are launching #NatureForAll Youth Champions, which aims to empower youth in Canada and globally to take action for nature conservation.
  • Parks Canada, the Canadian Parks Council and the Canadian Parks Collective for Innovation and Leadership are working together to establish a Canadian network for science and knowledge supporting the effective management of protected areas.
  • Parks Canada continues to work closely with other federal government departments (e.g. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Natural Resources Canada) on a variety of science-related initiatives.

Collaboration and Partnerships.

Parks Canada can enhance its performance by collaborating with other agencies, civil society, communities and the private sector. To improve collaboration, we will:

• More closely align and collaborate with Environment and Climate Change Canada, particularly on research related to climate change, species-at-risk, and the Arctic.

• Work with communities neighbouring Parks Canada places to help advance shared goals for conservation and enjoyment of national parks, national marine conservation areas, and national historic sites.

• Work with the private sector to enhance low-impact recreation opportunities that support a positive visitor experience.

• Further develop partnerships with organizations that have similar mandates to advance conservation science and protected areas in Canada.

Ensure research, data, environmental assessments and monitoring reports are made publicly available.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • The Agency is committed to the Government of Canada’s priority for Open Data. To date, Parks Canada is among the leaders in the federal public service, with 77% of applicable available datasets publicly available, including data related to ecological integrity. Moving forward, Parks Canada plans to share more digital data records than ever before. In 2019–2020, the Agency will develop a framework to help make Open Data a part of operations at all levels and make more datasets publicly available.

Ensure there is public input into accountability sessions such as the Minister’s Round Table, environmental assessments and development proposals.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada is actively consulting and has sought public input on a number of initiatives, as listed on the Consulting with Canadians website.

Ensure all public consultation processes adhere to best practices for openness and transparency and provide adequate time for review.

Completed – Progress continues

• Details of accomplishments

  • Parks Canada commits to the following best practices when in dialogue with Canadians through public consultations:
    • Respect: We value Canadians’ opinions, ideas and feedback; we also value Canadians’ time and participation.
    • Openness: We will listen to, discuss and consider Canadians’ feedback and ideas. We are a diverse population, and we strive to be diverse in our consultation process.
    • Inclusiveness: We will make every effort to include Canadians potentially impacted by decisions as a result of the consultations, as well as those who choose to be involved.
    • Transparency: We will make publicly available, and clearly outline, which decisions are open for input and how public involvement will influence the final decision/outcome.
    • Reasonableness: We will give you sufficient information, time and opportunities to participate in this consultation.
    • Accessibility: We will provide clear and understandable information and a variety of meaningful opportunities to access this information and to provide your input.
    • Accountability: We will outline clear roles and responsibilities and report back to Canadians on the final decision and outcome.
  • For management plans, a minimum of 30 days is provided for public review and up to three months for more complex sites.

Transparency and Public Input.

The Government of Canada is committed to increased public input and transparency in decision-making. To further this commitment, Parks Canada will:

• Ensure research, data, environmental assessments, and monitoring reports are made publicly available.

• Ensure there is public input into accountability sessions such as the Minister’s Round Table, environmental assessments, and development proposals.

• Ensure all public consultation processes adhere to best practices for openness and transparency, and provide adequate time for review.