2011-2012 Parks Canada Agency Corporate Plan

Minister's Message

I am proud to be the Minister responsible for Parks Canada as the Agency launches its 100^th anniversary celebrations in 2011. Since its inception, Parks Canada has been a dedicated and renowned leader in the areas of conservation and preservation of places of natural and cultural significance.

Over the course of a century, Canada has set aside about 320,000 square kilometres of lands and waters in national parks and national marine conservation areas. In the past four years alone, the government has taken steps that will add more than 30 percent to the existing land and waters administered by Parks Canada, including expanding Nahanni National Park to six-times its initial size and the creation of national marine conservation areas in Lake Superior and Haida Gwaii. At the same time, the government has continued to designate and commemorate places, persons and events of national historic significance.

Our government is committed to expanding Canada's national parks system. From Sable Island to Lancaster Sound, from Mealy Mountains to Saoyú-ʔehdacho, we will continue to preserve our natural heritage and protect our lands in the North, and right across the country, while also establishing places of national historic significance to represent the breadth and diversity of Canadian history.

In November 2010, Parks Canada was honoured to be nominated for the prestigious Gift to the Earth award by the non-profit organisation World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada) for the recent dramatic growth of Canada's national parks system. As WWF's highest accolade, this nomination recognizes Parks Canada's many significant conservation achievements, including its laudable track record in creating protected areas and reintroducing endangered species.

As the 125^th anniversary celebrations of Banff National Park have drawn to a close, and as the 100th anniversary celebrations of Parks Canada are getting underway, I am proud to celebrate Canada's nature, Canadian history and Parks Canada's achievements in helping Canadians establish personal connections with Canada's heritage places and preserving them for future generations.

In this special anniversary year, we renew our commitment to Canadians: 100 years from now, they will look back upon our efforts and achievements and see a remarkable cultural and natural heritage legacy. This is our gift to the world and to future generations.

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