Parks Canada

Parks Canada Agency, created in 1911 and formalized by the Parks Canada Agency Act in 1998, is Canada’s first national parks service and leads in protecting and presenting the country’s natural and cultural heritage. Reporting to a minister, it manages over 470,000 km² of national parks, marine areas, and historic sites under multiple federal acts.

Mandate & Responsibilities
The agency’s mandate is to protect, present, and foster public understanding of nationally significant places, while maintaining ecological and commemorative integrity for current and future generations.

Scope of Management
Parks Canada administers more than:

• 44 national parks and 11 reserves safeguarding 31 of Canada’s 39 terrestrial natural regions, totaling approximately 343,377 km².
• 167 national historic sites, including cultural landmarks such as lighthouses, forts, and pioneer settlements.
• 3 national marine conservation areas, 1 marine reserve, and 1 national landmark—preserving marine biodiversity.

Core Functions

1. Conservation & stewardship: wildlife habitat, species-at-risk programs, ecological integrity.
2. Heritage presentation & education: interpretive centres, guided tours, educational resources.
3. Visitor services & recreation: oversight of camping, trail management, permits, and infrastructure.
4. Collaboration & Indigenous partnerships: 30+ cooperative management agreements with Indigenous Nations, reflecting shared stewardship.
5. Climate resilience & research: leading policy adaptation, climate change research and park planning.

Visitor Access & Experiences

• Free admission and discounted stays at select locations from June 20 to September 2, 2025.
• Online booking available for camping, guided experiences, and accommodations across 40+ sites.
• Flagship parks like Banff, Jasper, Gros Morne, Pacific Rim, and Gulf Islands offer hiking, wildlife viewing, kayaking, heritage tours, and special permits.

Achievements & Impact

• World pioneer: first national parks service globally (1911).
• Over 25 million annual visitors, contributing approximately $4.2 billion to Canada’s GDP and $372 billion in ecosystem services annually.
• Global leadership in conservation, climate resilience, and heritage storytelling.

Assessment
Parks Canada exemplifies comprehensive heritage stewardship, effectively combining ecological protection, cultural commemoration, inclusive education, and public enjoyment. Its successes include Wilderness conservation across diverse ecoregions, strong Indigenous partnerships, and world-class visitor infrastructure.
Challenges remain in balancing high visitor use with ecological sustainability, climate change adaptation, infrastructure renewal, and Indigenous reconciliation. Digital engagement, accessible programming, and barrier-free visits are ongoing development areas. ― A cornerstone institution of Canadian heritage.