Parks Canada 2026–27 Departmental Plan

• Description
• Quality of life impacts
• Indicators, results and targets
• Plans to achieve results
• Gender-based analysis plus
• Planned resources to achieve results
• Program inventory
• Summary of changes to reporting framework since last year

Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have been stewards of the lands, waters, and ice that form the region now called Canada. This stewardship is rooted in deep cultural continuity—knowledge systems, languages, laws, and relationships with place that have been carried out through generations. However, protected heritage establishment in Canada has a history that displaced Indigenous Peoples in many places or limited the exercise of their rights and traditions on the landscape.

Parks Canada’s overarching goal is to honour and support Indigenous stewardship of the natural and cultural heritage places it administers in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA). In particular, this will be achieved by raising awareness of the new Indigenous Stewardship Policy, enacted in ceremony by the Indigenous Stewardship Circle in October 2024, and by providing guidance to support its implementation.

Parks Canada has embarked on a renewal process centered around a vision of natural and cultural heritage places management that is respectfully aligned with Indigenous stewardship and that actively supports the restoration and continuation of Indigenous cultural relationships with ancestral territories.

In support of this work, Parks Canada is developing Indigenous Stewardship Plans. These plans are site-specific and co-developed with Indigenous partners to ensure that shared priorities, including the revitalization of cultural practices, the transmission of knowledge, and the strengthening of cultural continuity, are clearly articulated and advanced in meaningful and tangible ways. Parks Canada will implement the Indigenous Stewardship Policy and aims to have co-developed Indigenous stewardship plans at 25% of its places by March 2030.

To honour and support Indigenous stewardship in fiscal year 2026 to 2027, Parks Canada will:

• advance the implementation of the Indigenous Stewardship Policy through supporting the development of guidance, plans, and training opportunities that respectfully align with Indigenous ways of stewarding lands, water, and ice
• continue to advance shared priorities with Indigenous partners and evolve and co-develop approaches to conservation, commemoration, and presentation to weave together various knowledge systems and information
• advance shared governance and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas models
• in collaboration with the Indigenous Stewardship Circle, provide internal guidance to Parks Canada team members on the implementation of UNDA Action Plan measures, including harvesting, shared governance, and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas
• engage with at least 10 Indigenous nations and/or communities on Indigenous artifacts and objects under Parks Canada’s care, fostering respectful relationships and supporting the integration of Indigenous knowledge in cultural resource stewardship
• collaborate and share knowledge through innovative partnerships with international, national, regional, and local stakeholders, as well as Indigenous governments and organizations, to honour Indigenous stewardship and enhance natural and cultural heritage conservation

National parks and national marine conservation areas are beautiful and inspiring places that protect nationally significant examples of Canada’s ecosystems. Parks Canada’s mandate and first priority is to maintain or improve the ecological integrity of national parks. Ecosystems have ecological integrity when their components, such as native species, biological communities, natural landscapes, and ecological functions, are intact and are likely to persist.

Monitoring results in recent years indicate that large-scale threats, such as climate change and invasive species, as well as local stressors, such as water pollution, are affecting ecosystems. These threats impact Parks Canada’s ability to maintain or improve ecological integrity. Parks Canada contributes to ecological integrity through the protection and restoration of ecosystems, while providing benefits and enjoyment to Canadians and international visitors. Parks Canada has managed these integrated objectives for over 100 years and administers one of the few national parks systems in the world that has a system-wide ecological integrity monitoring and reporting program, consisting of more than 600 scientific measures that inform park-specific priorities and guide restoration action. Indigenous stewardship is integral to Parks Canada’s work in this area.

In support of maintaining and improving ecological integrity in national parks and ecological sustainability in national marine conservation areas, in fiscal year 2026 to 2027, Parks Canada will:

• integrate a climate change lens into national policies, strategies, and planning processes by developing guidance and tools that support the consideration of current and future climate conditions across all areas of responsibility
• monitor and report on condition and trends of ecosystems in national parks and national park reserves and implement conservation and restoration projects to maintain and improve ecological integrity
• contribute to the protection and recovery of species at risk by supporting federal listing of species at risk under the Species at Risk Act, protecting critical habitat and implementing actions from new and existing site-based, multi-species action plans in coordination with key partners
• pre-publish regulations in the Canada Gazette Part I to strengthen protection of natural and cultural resources and ecological sustainability in national marine conservation areas
• advance national marine conservation area management tools, including monitoring standards to understand, effectively manage, and report on the state of the national marine conservation areas
• share the impact of conservation leadership by sharing stories and lessons learned with Canadians and with professional science and park management communities through multiple digital products and channels
• continue to implement key conservation actions from the Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site Action Plan, in collaboration with Indigenous partners, other federal departments, provincial and territorial governments, and key stakeholders, to ensure that the World Heritage Outstanding Universal Value of Wood Buffalo National Park is maintained for future generations

Parks Canada strives to plan and implement conservation and restoration investments in coordination with key partners, with an emphasis on Indigenous stewardship, evidence-based practice, and measuring management effectiveness. It works with Indigenous partners to investigate methods and approaches to weave together different knowledge systems to inform conservation planning and decision-making (a “Two-Eyed Seeing” approach). Parks Canada is also working to modernize the species at risk multi-species action planning approach in collaboration with Indigenous partners to include culturally significant species and identify activities that support understanding and conservation of these species.

While the number and variety of projects Parks Canada is working on in collaboration with Indigenous partners is too long to list, some examples of the work it will undertake this year are:

• hosting community planning meetings with Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, as well as an on-the-land camp in Vuntut National Park to improve understanding of caribou and salmon migration habitats and to further integrate Indigenous knowledge into ecological integrity assessments and park operations
• as active members of the multi-jurisdictional Pelee Coastal Resilience Committee, Point Pelee National Park and Caldwell First Nation will lead the propagation of native dune plants for restoration and will continue to support the development and planning of several adaptation concepts to reduce exposure to coastal hazards at the landscape level and increase resilience to climate change within the region
• advancing a Two-Eyed Seeing review of Ecological Integrity monitoring programs at the sites it administers in New Brunswick, in collaboration with Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Incorporated and Kopit Lodge, building on shared learning and identifying opportunities to integrate Indigenous knowledge and Western science across key monitoring areas such as Piping Plover, Salmon, and lagoon ecosystems
• collaboratively monitoring moose in Fundy National Park with Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Incorporated and Fort Folly Habitat Recovery, applying a Two-Eyed Seeing approach that enhances data sharing, incorporates Indigenous knowledge, and strengthens joint analysis to support long-term ecosystem health and moose population management
• working with Indigenous partners, academia, and industry to continue advancing Atlantic salmon conservation and recovery efforts in Fundy National Park, focusing on improving habitat quality, supporting research, and strengthening collaborative stewardship to restore salmon populations within key river systems
• supporting the restoration of salmon populations in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, particularly in the Clyburn River in partnership with Nova Scotia universities, local conservation groups, and the Una’maki Institute for Natural Resources
  • this project is part of the broader Respectful Returns initiative – one of Canada’s salmon restoration efforts recently recognized by the United Nations as a World Restoration Flagship
  • in addition to salmon conservation at Fundy and Cape Breton Highlands national parks, the United Nations flagship project includes conservation efforts underway at Kouchibouguac, Gros Morne and Terra Nova national parks, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, and Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site
• supporting Beausoleil First Nation’s Akiin gezhaadangig initiative at Georgian Bay Islands National Park to strengthen cultural identity and land stewardship through activities like wild rice restoration, youth engagement, and community gatherings
  • it promotes healing, food sovereignty, and collaboration with neighbouring First Nations, while supporting national Indigenous rights and stewardship frameworks

In collaboration with Indigenous partners, stakeholders, and other levels of government, Parks Canada is an important contributor to the Government of Canada’s commitment to protect Canada's natural legacy by conserving 30% of Canada’s land and oceans by 2030. Parks Canada contributes through the establishment of new national parks, national marine conservation areas, and the designation of national urban parks. Protecting these lands and waters will help to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, advance Indigenous stewardship, and support rural economic development. These newly protected terrestrial and submerged lands administered by Parks Canada not only provide important ecological and cultural values but also contribute to the real property portfolio we manage and steward on behalf of Canadians.

Currently, 48 national parks, including 11 national park reserves and one national urban park, protect approximately 353, 086 square kilometres of Canada’s lands. Parks Canada is also responsible for five national marine conservation areas that protect approximately 123,490 square kilometres of Canada’s marine and freshwater ecosystems in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic oceans and the Great Lakes. As of December 2024, the lands administered by Parks Canada represent 3.51% of Canada’s lands and inland waters and the national marine conservation area system represents 2.12% of Canada’s oceans.

Typically, the establishment of new protected areas is a collaborative five step process. Each step in the sequence is its own discrete process and takes a varying amount of time, in collaboration with partners and stakeholders. In the first two steps, often undertaken in collaboration with Indigenous partners, candidate sites for protection are identified, then a site is selected from among these. Next a feasibility assessment is completed to confirm whether the selected site meets the criteria for protection and Indigenous peoples and other stakeholders are consulted to confirm their support. If a site is determined not to be feasible, then the selection of another potential area will take place and a new feasibility assessment, including consultations, will be completed.

If the feasibility assessment shows that the site is a good candidate for a protected area and that it has the support of stakeholders, agreements will then be negotiated with the implicated province or territory and local Indigenous nations before the new protected area is formally established under either the Canada National Parks Act or the Canada National Marine Conservation Area Act. At any time between step three (feasibility assessment) and step five (formal establishment), interim protection is granted to the lands in question, temporarily protecting them from external development.

The designation of national urban parks is a deeply collaborative process involving a variety of partners, including Indigenous governments and organizations, municipal and provincial governments, and other organizations. The Interim National Urban Parks Policy guides the designation and management of new national urban parks across Canada. Once a candidate site is selected, there are three steps to get to designation (Feasibility, Planning, Designation), followed by an implementation step to get to ongoing operations.

In support of these goals, Parks Canada, during the planning period, will:

• consult and cooperate with Indigenous governments, organizations, and communities, along with provincial and territorial governments, and develop strategic partnerships with stakeholders in the process to establish new national parks and national marine conservation areas
• advance/finalize negotiation of establishment agreements for the proposed new national park reserves in the South Okanagan-Similkameen (British Columbia), the Peel River region (Yukon) and the Seal River Watershed (Manitoba)
• with Indigenous partners and provincial/territorial governments, complete the feasibility assessments and undertake negotiations for establishment of new national park in the Ross River (Yukon) and Manitoba Lowlands regions
• work with Indigenous partners and provincial/territorial governments toward feasibility assessments for at least four further candidate sites in locations across Canada
• advance/finalize negotiations for establishment agreements for proposed national marine conservation areas in northern Labrador coast (Newfoundland and Labrador), and western James Bay and southwestern Hudson Bay (Ontario)
• work with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous governments to identify and advance national marine conservation area proposals to the feasibility assessment step, including western Hudson Bay (Manitoba), up to two sites in Nunavut, as well one freshwater location in the Northwest Territories
• advance feasibility assessments, including consultations with key partners and stakeholders, towards the establishment of new national marine conservation areas in South Coast Fjords (Newfoundland and Labrador), Anticosti-Mingan (Quebec), Pacific Rim (British Columbia), and Tuvaijuittuq (Nunavut)
• communicate and promote Parks Canada’s new National Urban Parks Policy to guide the designation and management of new national urban parks across Canada that will conserve nature, connect people with nature, and advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples
• explore opportunities and advance planning for new national urban parks and lay a foundation for a national urban parks network across Canada
• designate and implement a national urban park in Windsor and work toward advancing the designation of the Halifax, Saskatoon, Victoria, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and St. John’s sites
• report on the results and achievements of the National Program for Ecological Corridors, including 27 funded projects, including 10 that were Indigenous-led

Indigenous Guardians programs play a vital role in supporting Indigenous communities to steward their lands and waters, protect biodiversity, and address climate change through a blend of traditional knowledge and modern science. These programs strengthen cultural identity, create jobs, and build local capacity while advancing reconciliation by recognizing Indigenous rights and leadership in conservation. They not only safeguard ecosystems but also promote social, economic, and cultural well-being for present and future generations.

Supporting Indigenous partners to deliver Guardian programs is a priority for Parks Canada. This year, Parks Canada will:

• continue established Indigenous Guardians programs, such as Haida Gwaii Watchmen and West Coast Trail Guardians to promote Indigenous stewardship in national protected areas
• collaborate with Inuk Guardians to implement a long-term monitoring program at the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Sites, ensuring the continued stewardship and integration of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in protecting these culturally significant places
• work with other existing guardians programs to protect and manage natural and cultural heritage places

Across its heritage and contemporary portfolios, Parks Canada manages a complex collection of over 18,500 built assets with a current replacement value (CRV) of $32.8 billion (2024 dollars). Approximately one-third of the value of Parks Canada’s built assets is built heritage which includes nationally significant examples of iconic and irreplaceable cultural built heritage assets like historic battlements and fortifications, as well as numerous other buildings and structures that preserve the history and cultures of Canada.

Many of the cultural built assets Parks Canada administers are open to the public and available for visitors to enjoy, while others support Parks Canada’s program delivery in their original functional role (like warden cabins) or are being adaptively re-used (like park administration buildings). These heritage assets administered by Parks Canada provide an authentic foundation upon which history is shared, education and reflection take place, and long-term public value is created. They are cared for by skilled conservation specialists who manage the preservation and rehabilitation of historic buildings, landscapes, and archaeological resources. Sustainability, cultural and operational considerations guide authentic and meaningful public use.

Parks Canada’s ongoing stewardship and presentation of nationally significant examples of iconic and irreplaceable cultural built heritage assets is a part of its core mandate. Accordingly, assessing the performance of these cultural built heritage assets under its administration represents a key measure for Parks Canada. Starting in fiscal year 2026 to 2027, Parks Canada will monitor the performance of its cultural built heritage portfolio separately from its heritage canal infrastructure. This will improve Parks Canada’s ability to assess the impacts of targeted interventions in each of these asset groups to better understand the overall state of these distinct asset groups and enable Parks Canada to better track changes over time. It will also provide a clearer picture of where built heritage continues to deliver active services to Canadians, including on canals where built heritage assets support the management of water flows and levels.

This year, Parks Canada will continue investing in built heritage assets in Canada’s national historic sites, national parks, national urban parks, and national marine conservation areas. These investments include high-priority projects, essential asset repairs and maintenance, and rationalization planning for select assets to support affordability and sustainability. This work is supported by Budget 2024, which provided $545.1 million in temporary funding between 2024 and 2028 for urgent, time-sensitive real property work. While Parks Canada continues to explore options to advance the sustainability of the cultural built heritage assets it administers, the overall condition of this segment of the portfolio is expected to decline due to the sunset of temporary funding sources and lower overall investment level in its asset portfolio compared to past years.

Parks Canada will continue to focus its available funding on the most urgent investments needed, particularly in assets where current condition poses the greatest risk to the health and safety of visitors, users, local residents and communities, Indigenous partners, and to employees. Heritage conservation specialists will continue to conduct impact analyses to identify potential threats and propose approaches to ensure the protection of cultural built heritage resources. Parks Canada will in turn advance existing projects to protect built heritage sites of national historic significance, while prioritizing investments that strengthen regulatory compliance and addresses health and safety issues in its built heritage assets portfolio. Examples of this work will include:

• supporting the protection of the heritage value of federal heritage properties, including those administered by other federal departments
• restoration and conservation of the Carleton Martello Tower (New Brunswick) and its concrete Second World War-era superstructure (estimated completion: fiscal year 2026 to 2027)
• rehabilitation of the wooden roof structure and window walls of the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site (Nova Scotia) (estimated completion: fiscal year 2027 to 2028)
• gathering baseline data to support future performance measurement of cultural built heritage assets that fall outside Parks Canada’s heritage canal infrastructure
• continuing to develop and review its cultural heritage policy instruments to support the conservation and management of cultural resources, including national historic sites and built heritage
• advancing the National Cultural Resource Management Strategy to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Parks Canada’s cultural heritage processes and practices, enabling a risk-based approach for cultural heritage places and providing the necessary tools and training to support effective stewardship
• conducting impact analyses to proactively identify potential threats and propose approaches for ensuring the protection of high priority cultural resource

Built heritage reflects the history that has shaped Canada. Protecting these sites helps Canadians preserve a tangible link to their past and fosters pride in our diverse cultural roots. Historic places often serve as landmarks and gathering spaces, giving communities character, continuity, and a sense of belonging. Through Parks Canada’s services to Canadians, cultural built heritage assets are made accessible for public appreciation, ensuring identity, legacy and interconnectedness are shared throughout the country and across generations. Protecting built heritage is about stewardship, ensuring future generations can experience and learn from these important places for years to come.

Designation and commemoration, at the national level, of persons, places and events through inclusive and transparent processes reflect the diversity of Canadian society. In collaboration with Indigenous and equity-deserving historians and knowledge-keepers, Parks Canada’s National Program of Historical Commemoration explores ways to present diverse histories and objects and foster understanding of the rich and complex history of Canada. Collectively, these designations increasingly reflect and reinforce our collective Canadian identity.

Parks Canada continues to implement, through the National Program of Historical Commemoration, the Framework for History and Commemoration. The framework outlines a more inclusive and balanced approach to sharing stories of Canada’s past. Following the framework helps to ensure that Canada’s history is told through multiple perspectives, providing Canadians with a more complete understanding of their country’s complex and multifaceted history. It also aims to broaden the history of Canada to reflect all people and promotes the nomination of new subjects that are representative of Indigenous history, diverse communities, environmental history, and Canada’s place in the world.

As part of the work to broaden the stories that are told in the history of Canada, Parks Canada supports the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC), the advisory body that provides recommendations to the Minister, in the ongoing assessment of new designations, and the review of existing historical designations. These reviews are meant to address outdated or imprecise information and gaps. Reviewed designations allow for the inclusion of perspectives that may have been overlooked, the correction of inaccuracies, and the strengthening of the credibility of Parks Canada’s heritage framework.

This year, to enhance the presentation of the history of Canada through multiple perspectives, Parks Canada will:

• continue to support the work of the HSMBC on the designation and commemoration of nationally significant cultural heritage
  • this includes the designations of persons, places, and events of national historic significance, heritage railway stations, and heritage lighthouses
• promote the nomination of new historical subjects that are representative of diverse communities and encourage public nominations for new designations in alignment with the Framework for History and Commemoration’s strategic priorities: Indigenous history, diversity, environmental history, and Canada and the world
• support the ongoing work of the HSMBC to address a variety of issues with existing designations and plaques, consistent with the Framework for History and Commemoration
  • this includes reviewing existing designations to address outdated or imprecise information and gaps
• continue to update and renew HSMBC guidelines in alignment with the Framework for History and Commemoration, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and Parks Canada’s Indigenous Stewardship Policy and Policy on the Management of Cultural Resources, Archaeological Sites, Heritage Lighthouses, and World Heritage Sites
• lead the implementation of the World Heritage Convention for Canada, including working with nomination teams toward the listing of World Heritage Sites in Canada
  • this includes continuing to support nomination teams for the Trans-Atlantic Cable Ensemble (Heart’s Content, Newfoundland and Labrador and Valentia, Ireland) and Wanuskewin (Saskatchewan)

Through its promotion of the nomination of new subjects that are representative of diverse communities and the revisiting of existing designations with new knowledge, broader sources, and the incorporation of a wide range of perspectives, Parks Canada can help Canadians develop a deeper understanding of their nation’s history. Parks Canada’s work to support the nomination of new world heritage sites and existing Canadian sites inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites, also reinforce a sense of pride and Canadian identity on the global stage, promote sustainable tourism and community development and can foster international cooperation and partnerships for heritage conservation.

In line with the Framework for History and Commemoration, Parks Canada strives to present history with a focus on inclusivity and a full range of voices at the national historic sites it has a role in administering. Starting in this fiscal year, Parks Canada will begin tracking and reporting on the percentage of the places it administers where Canada’s diverse historical narratives are presented, including the percentage where Indigenous history narratives are presented. These new indicators will allow Parks Canada to better prioritize the renewal of interpretation panels and exhibits at national historic sites across Canada.

Parks Canada collaborates with Indigenous Peoples and equity-deserving communities to tell their stories at national historic sites across the country. This work is supported by historical expertise and research and the implementation of the Framework for History and Commemoration, which is the guiding document for all history projects at Parks Canada.

Parks Canada’s commemoration programs contribute to the Government of Canada’s commitment to reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada. These programs play a key role in carrying out the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)’s calls-to-action 79 and 80, calling to give Indigenous Peoples a significantly stronger role in the commemoration and management of cultural heritage. Implementing the Framework for History and Commemoration also contributes to Parks Canada’s priorities to enhance cultural heritage presentation by working together with Indigenous Peoples to tell their stories, as well as its commitments in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) Action Plan and in support of its recently released Indigenous Stewardship Policy.

This year, to broaden the diversity of the historical narratives told at national historic sites Parks Canada will:

• continue to implement the Framework for History and Commemoration at cultural heritage places Parks Canada has a role in administering, providing direction on presenting history and developing tools and resources that emphasize a full range of voices, perspectives, and experiences
• support a variety of projects prioritizing opportunities for Indigenous Peoples to share and communicate their history in their own voices at cultural heritage places that Parks Canada has a role in administering, in accordance with the Indigenous Stewardship Framework and the Framework for History and Commemoration’s key practices for public history
• support the work of the Geographical Names Board of Canada by ensuring that the naming of geographical features in places Parks Canada has a role in administering reflects diverse histories and cultures and respects the unique connections people have to these places

By adopting new and expanded historical understandings combined with the key practices for public history will transform the history experience and how stories are communicated at the national historic sites that Parks Canada has a role in administering. Through this work, Canadians from a wide diversity of backgrounds will feel an increased sense of pride and belonging to their community. Examples of projects Parks Canada will undertake this year places it administers across the country are:

• increasing Indigenous reconnections to the area of Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site (British Columbia) through Tribal Journeys events, Whale Trail Indigenous interpretive audio boxes, and planting and harvesting medicine plants, to highlight for visitors the broad history of the site and the relationship between colonists and Indigenous peoples
• telling the Michif history of Batoche National Historic Site (Saskatchewan) through the Michif interpretive panel project
  • guided by a Métis advisory group that includes the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, this project is in the production and installation stage and will feature interpretive panels and exhibits with durable materials, clear text, more diverse and inclusive stories, and visually engaging designs that reflect a wide range of themes.
  • this project is an important step in shaping Batoche’s future as the site moves towards a new cooperative management agreement

Parks Canada works to build connections between Canadians and their natural environments and cultural heritage, including with those who never or rarely have access to visit a place administered by Parks Canada. Parks Canada accomplishes this by building trust and support for its mandate, recruiting and retaining volunteers, entering partnerships with communities and organizations, and by developing new ways to reach Canadians through a variety of interfaces and touchpoints.

Through its operations at the national historic sites, national parks, national marine conservation areas, and national urban park, Parks Canada works to increase awareness and appreciation of the invaluable services it offers. These include the conservation of heritage assets and promotion of Canada’s history, enhancement of ecological integrity and ecological sustainability, contributions to the economic well-being of local communities, the maintenance of vital services. Community engagement on conservation and presentation efforts, partnerships with local organizations, digital presence and engagement, and regional outreach all play a crucial role in connecting Canadians to and inspiring their involvement in the protection and presentation of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage.

Parks Canada-administered iconic destinations are at the heart of Canadian identity – through iconic landscapes and powerful stories. In a typical year, Parks Canada welcomes more than 20 million Canadians to the places it administers. In the past, Parks Canada measured support for the protection and presentation of Parks Canada places through regular national surveys of Canadians. In recent years, the level of support has been over 90%, indicating Canadians’ strong support for Parks Canada’s work and the continued importance of nature in their daily lives.

Starting this year, Parks Canada will shift its indicators to focus on both positive sentiments toward the protection and presentation of natural and cultural heritage and whether visiting Parks Canada-administered places increases their sense of pride in Canada. In fiscal year 2026 to 2027, Parks Canada will develop the methodology and put into place mechanisms to measure these perspectives, which will allow it to establish baseline measurements for each indicator and set targets. As this work progresses, Parks Canada may identify the need to adjust the indicator language or adjust the timeline for determining the targets.

To contribute to the positive sentiments of Canadians about Parks Canada’s work and their sense of pride in their country, this year Parks Canada will:

• continue to provide high quality services, and authentic programming and experiences to Canadians, including with third parties
• leverage communication opportunities to highlight Parks Canada’s role in contributing to Canadian identity
• work to improve the inclusivity and accessibility of visitor services, experiences, and opportunities for all visitors to enjoy
• strengthen accessible and inclusive communications and engagement across its digital channels, highlighting Parks Canada’s work, as well as the place it administers and their histories
• engage in partnering and collaborative arrangements to reach and connect with Canadians in the understanding, enjoyment, and appreciation of protected places
• continue conservation activities to ensure that the heritage values of cultural resources, including national historic sites, federal heritage buildings, archaeological sites, heritage lighthouses and World Heritage Sites, is shared for the understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of present and future generations
• ensure that cultural resources under Parks Canada’s care are made accessible for public appreciation and understanding, contributing to ensuring identity, legacy and interconnectedness are transmitted across generations
• implement a newly modernized Directory of Federal Heritage Designations that presents accurate, accessible, and up-to-date information about federally recognized cultural heritage places to help Canadians learn more about the persons, places and events that have shaped Canada and their own communities
• care for a national collection of archaeological and historical objects at historic sites and in specialized facilities
  • these objects provide an authentic foundation upon which history is shared, and long-term public value is created
• provide financial assistance to support the protection and presentation of nationally recognized cultural heritage places not administered by the federal government through Parks Canada’s National Cost-Sharing Program for Heritage Places, helping to foster local pride in cultural heritage places across the country
• provide advice, guidance, and research to custodians of federal heritage properties, including heritage lighthouses and railways, through the Federal Heritage Review Office to ensure that they are planned, acquired, used, and disposed of in manner that supports the delivery of programs and services to Canadians
• collaborate with provinces and territories through the Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Cultural Heritage Table (FPTCH) to advance shared priorities for cultural heritage protection and conservation for the benefit of Canadians

By engaging Canadians at the national historic sites, national parks, national marine conservation areas, and national urban park it administers, Parks Canada helps to strengthen this shared narrative and Canadians’ sense of national identity and pride.

Natural heritage places play an important role in Canadian culture and identity and serve many purposes that are obvious to Canadians through the delivery of Parks Canada’s mandate. For example, the protected areas administered by Parks Canada conserve representative natural regions of Canada, provide habitats for species at risk, and are treasured destinations for Canadians to spend their vacation and leisure time.

However, there is a much lower level of awareness about the less immediately obvious benefits to individuals and society that protected ecosystems provide to Canadians, known more generally as ecosystem services. Ecosystem services provide Canadians with food and clean drinking water, help to regulate the climate, provide homes for crucial pollinating species, create oxygen and store atmospheric carbon, perform essential nutrient cycling processes, and bolster Canada’s economy through tourism and employment, among countless other benefits.

Parks Canada plays an important role in raising awareness of and creating appreciation for the value of ecosystem services among Canadians through the delivery of its mandate. By welcoming visitors to the protected heritage areas it administers and through its online and in-person outreach activities, Parks Canada has the opportunity to connect Canadians with nature and provide them with information about the value of nature. In turn, the more people that connect with nature, the more support there will be for its conservation. Parks Canda’s ability to influence Canadians’ recognition of the importance of ecosystem services serves us well in advance of reporting against the natural capital value provided by conserved areas.

This year, Parks Canada will continue to facilitate the enjoyment and appreciation of the places it administers and engage Canadians to participate in and appreciate the value of cultural and natural heritage conservation now and into the future. During this fiscal year, Parks Canada will:

• work to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy environment and the role of protected places through on site visitor offers and digital outreach, including the #NatureForAll initiative
• welcome more than 20 million visitors to the places it administers, including with free admission through the renewed Canada Strong pass from June 19 to September 9, 2026, helping to connect Canadians with nature
• leverage communication opportunities to raise awareness of and encourage Canadians to participate in conservation initiatives in ways that are meaningful to them, like taking part in citizen science activities or tuning in to Parks Canada’s conservation podcast, Connected

Places administered by Parks Canada foster a sense of belonging and promote community engagement, create social cohesion and inclusion, inspire cultural pride, and provide learning opportunities and meaningful connections. Parks Canada is committed to working toward barrier-free access to national historic sites, national parks, national marine conservation areas and national urban parks. Ensuring that these places continue to evolve and reflect Canada’s diversity allows Canadians to participate in their protection and enjoyment.

The natural and cultural heritage places administered by Parks Canada are popular destinations enjoyed by millions of Canadians and visitors from around the world. Parks Canada will build upon its work in recent years to welcome and provide visitors with world-class experiences, fostering continued support for its mandate.

As the work to identify a target and target date for this indicator progresses, Parks Canada may identify the need to adjust the indicator language, the timeline for determining the target, or pursue other indicators.

In October 2025, the Government of Canada announced the renewal of the Canada Strong Pass from June 19 to September 7, 2026, providing free admission to and reduced camping fees at places administered by Parks Canada. The Canada Strong Pass encourages Canadians and international visitors to discover the national historic sites, national parks, national marine conservation areas, and national urban parks across the country. This year will build on the success of the pass in summer 2025, which increased visitation to places administered by Parks Canada by 13% compared to the same period in 2023.

This year, Parks Canada plans to:

• continue strengthening accessible and inclusive communications and engagement across Parks Canada’s digital channels
• continue to create and share authentic and engaging content that highlights Parks Canada’s work, places, and stories across digital channels and through in-person programming

The natural heritage places administered by Parks Canada are popular destinations enjoyed by millions of Canadians and visitors from around the world. They are an important source of pride for Canadians and inextricably linked to our collective sense of national identity. Parks Canada is committed to working toward barrier-free access to the places it administers. Parks Canada will build upon its work in recent years to welcome and provide visitors with world-class experiences, ensuring a continued high level of satisfaction among visitors.

Although this is a new departmental results indicator as of this fiscal year, Parks Canada has been tracking the level of satisfaction of visitors to the places it administers since 1999 and has been reporting this in its annual Departmental Results Reports over the last several years.

To support a continued high level of satisfaction among visitors to the places it administers, in fiscal year 2026 to 2027 Parks Canada will:

• promote awareness, enjoyment, and visitation to a range of natural heritage places, as well as encourage visitation during non-peak periods where feasible
• provide experiences that are increasingly co-developed or delivered by Indigenous partners, with growing inclusion of their languages, stories, and voices
  • this supports shared stewardship, deeper understanding of place, and cultural continuity on the land, waters, and ice
• work with federal and regional tourism partners, along with Indigenous communities and businesses, to support development and delivery of Indigenous experiences for visitors
• manage visitation at its busiest destinations to provide high-quality visitor experiences, while ensuring resources and ecosystems are protected, and encouraging visitors to enjoy the full range of destinations within the Parks Canada network
• continue to improve the inclusivity and accessibility of visitor services, experiences, and opportunities for all visitors to enjoy

Visitation to natural heritage places has direct ties to health and creates a sense of belonging to these treasured places. Parks Canada will continue to facilitate the enjoyment and appreciation of the places it administers, welcoming Canadians and international visitors to the best Canada has to offer.

Parks Canada recognizes the historic and ongoing responsibilities of Indigenous Peoples in the stewardship of the natural heritage of their ancestral territories and homelands. It works to advance cooperative management arrangements with Indigenous Peoples at the natural heritage places it has a role in administering.

Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have been stewards of the lands, waters, and ice that form the region now called Canada. Despite a history of protected heritage establishment in Canada that displaced Indigenous Peoples in many places or limited the exercise of their rights and traditions on the landscape, Parks Canada is working with Indigenous partners to restore lost connections to traditional territories and strengthen cooperative and collaborative management of protected places.

In support of this goal, this year Parks Canada will:

• continue to explore, with Indigenous partners, the potential for new co-managed national parks, national marine conservation areas, and national urban parks as opportunities to honour and support Indigenous stewardship
• advance shared priorities with Indigenous partners and evolve and co-develop approaches to conservation, commemoration, and presentation to promote integration of various knowledge systems and information
• contribute to the implementation of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act by reviewing law, policies, and operational practices for their suitability in supporting Indigenous Peoples’ exercise of rights and responsibilities in places Parks Canada has a role in administering
  • develop or amend policies and practices, and pursue amendments to law, where they are not in line with these goals
• advance rights-based negotiations related to shared governance of natural heritage places and other joint areas of interest at priority Government of Canada negotiation tables
• continue to work with Indigenous partners to review management plans to better align with priorities, agreements, policies, and legal requirements
  • this year, six national park management plans are expected to be approved and tabled in Parliament

We rarely head out to a national park, national marine conservation area, or national urban park with the expectation that something will go wrong, and most times everything will go right. But sometimes the unexpected happens. The protected areas administered by Parks Canada are natural environments containing natural hazards that must be considered when visiting these places.

There are two distinct sides to managing safety in the natural protected areas administered by Parks Canada: prevention and response. Parks Canada’s visitor safety program emphasizes a proactive approach to visitor safety, focusing on preventing visitor safety incidents through proactive communication, good environmental design, and appropriate dissuasive measures. Parks Canada works with visitors to help them avoid and reduce the impact of an unfortunate circumstance by being well informed and well prepared.

Central to Parks Canada’s approach to visitor safety is the concept of shared responsibility. Shared responsibility means that while Parks Canada will facilitate safe and enjoyable experiences, visitors are ultimately responsible for ensuring their own safety. Making visitors aware of the unusual hazards at a national park, national marine conservation area or national urban park, the response services available, and how to properly prepare for their experience allows for informed trip planning and encourages visitors to make the appropriate decisions while participating in activities during their visit.

Planning for response when incidents do occur is also an important part of the approach. Whether the response comes from Parks Canada or via external emergency service providers, clear protocols and procedures are established for each national park, national marine conservation area, and national urban park during the visitor safety planning process. Emergency planning and response are essential to protect lives, public spaces, and property, as well as to ensure continuity of operations during crises. An all-hazards approach provides comprehensive coverage for natural, technological, and human-caused threats, making plans adaptable and resource-efficient. When emergencies occur, a rapid and coordinated response saves lives, restores critical infrastructure and other services, and builds public trust. Together, these strategies foster resilience, helping people and organizations to recover quickly and emerge stronger after disasters.

Parks Canada is currently working to identify a target and target date for this indicator. As this work progresses, Parks Canada may identify the need to adjust the indicator language, adjust the timeline for determining the target, or pursue other indicators.

To work to limit the number of serious incidents at national parks, national marine conservation areas and national urban parks, this year Parks Canada will:

• advance emergency preparedness and infrastructure improvements across the Mountain Parks to protect visitors and communities
  • in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks, this includes expanding the Emergency Management Program with improved evacuation planning, readiness tools, and multi-jurisdictional coordination
• in collaboration with partners at Avalanche Canada, publish regular bulletins on avalanche conditions, helping visitors make informed decisions when skiing/snowboarding in backcountry terrain
• continue to make investments in assets in national parks, national marine conservation areas, and Rouge National Urban Park
  • Available funding will be focused on the most urgent investments, such as in assets where current condition poses the greatest risk to the health and safety of visitors, users, local residents and communities, and to Parks Canada team members
  • more information on these investments can be found under Departmental result 7
• promote wildlife safety approaches, working to limit the impact that so many people have on park wildlife, encouraging visitors to give the animals the respect they deserve and the space they need
• continue to modernize its approach to emergency management through training, all-hazards emergency planning, and robust and resilient emergency response coordination with partners, focusing on critical and tourism infrastructure, including national park communities and transportation corridors, which are key contributors to Canada’s economy

The cultural heritage places administered by Parks Canada are popular destinations enjoyed by millions of Canadians and visitors from around the world. They are an important source of pride for Canadians and inextricably linked to our collective sense of national identity. Parks Canada is committed to working toward barrier-free access to national historic sites and canals and will build upon its work in recent years to welcome and provide visitors with world-class experiences, ensuring a continued high level of satisfaction among visitors.

Although this is a new departmental results indicator as of this fiscal year, Parks Canada has been tracking the level of satisfaction of visitors to the places it administers since 1999 and has been reporting this in its annual Departmental Results Reports over the last several years.

To support a continued high level of satisfaction among visitors to the places it administers, in fiscal year 2026 to 2027 Parks Canada will:

• promote awareness, enjoyment, and visitation to a range of cultural heritage places, as well as encourage visitation during non-peak periods where feasible
• work with federal and regional tourism partners, along with Indigenous communities and businesses, to support development and delivery of Indigenous experiences for visitors
• provide experiences that are increasingly co-developed or delivered by Indigenous partners, with growing inclusion of their languages, stories, and voices to support shared stewardship, deeper understanding of place, and cultural continuity on the land, waters, and ice
• conduct research activities related to cultural heritage to further understanding, interpretation and conservation for the benefit of all Canadians and visitors to national historic sites and canals administered by Parks Canada
• manage visitation at its busiest destinations to provide high-quality visitor experiences, while ensuring the heritage value of cultural resources is conserved and ecosystems are protected, and encouraging visitors to enjoy the full range of destinations within the Parks Canada network
• continue to improve the inclusivity and accessibility of visitor services, experiences, and opportunities for all visitors to enjoy

Visitation to cultural heritage places has direct ties to health and a sense of belonging to these treasured places. Parks Canada will continue to facilitate the enjoyment and appreciation of the places it administers, welcoming Canadians and international visitors to the best Canada has to offer.

Parks Canada recognizes the historic and ongoing responsibilities of Indigenous Peoples in the stewardship of the cultural heritage of their ancestral territories and homelands.

Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have been stewards of the lands, waters, and ice that form the region now called Canada. Despite a history of protected heritage establishment in Canada that displaced Indigenous Peoples in many places or limited the exercise of their rights and traditions on the landscape, Parks Canada is working with Indigenous partners to restore lost connections to traditional territories and strengthen cooperative management of protected places.

Parks Canada is working with Indigenous peoples to collaboratively advance co-management and shared decision-making with Indigenous Peoples at cultural heritage places by establishing new cooperative management structures to support their stewardship. This work contributes to the implementation of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) by reviewing law, policies, and operational practices for their suitability in supporting Indigenous Peoples’ exercise of rights and responsibilities in places Parks Canada has a role in administering.

To honour and support the stewardship of Indigenous peoples in the cultural heritage places it administers, Parks Canada will:

• continue work to develop or amend policies and practices, and pursue amendments to law, where they are not in line with these goals
• implement of the Indigenous Stewardship Policy as it relates to cultural heritage place management and governance that is respectfully aligned with Indigenous ways of stewarding lands, water, and ice
• advance the priorities shared by Indigenous partners and work to evolve approaches to conservation, commemoration, and presentation
• make progress on rights-based negotiations related to shared governance of cultural heritage places and other joint areas of interest at priority Government of Canada negotiation tables
• continue to ensure Indigenous knowledge and values, both tangible and intangible are respected, reflected, and honoured in the management of cultural resources, archeological sites, heritage lighthouses, and world heritage sites, as well as the cultural heritage collection of archaeological and historical objects
• continue to work with Indigenous partners to revise management plans in accordance with priorities, agreements, policies and legal requirements.
  • this year, eight national historic site management plans are expected to be approved and tabled in Parliament

The protected areas administered by Parks Canada are gateways to discovering the nature and culture that Canada has to offer. Parks Canada administers 171 national historic sites across the country. The number of national historic sites administered by Parks Canada includes nine historic canals across Canada, including three in Ontario, five in Quebec, and one in Nova Scotia. The administration of historic canals is limited not only to the heritage structures of the canals, such as the lock stations and related heritage buildings, but also in some cases is responsible for water management on the historic canals to permit safe navigation as well as the protection of fisheries, wildlife, municipal water supplies, recreation, and hydroelectric power, as well as 70 historic lockstations and adjacent day use spaces. In these places, Parks Canada works year-round to monitor and manage water levels across the canal systems.

The Historic Canals Regulations establishes rules for safe navigation, vessel operations, and prohibited activities, while management plans and policy emphasize resource protection and visitor safety. Operationally, Parks Canada enforces controlled activities through permitting for certain uses, maintains both front country and backcountry infrastructure and trails; and monitors weather conditions including water levels and fire risk to assist with trip planning and reduce potential for hazard to visitors.

Parks Canada documents safety related incidents at all National Park Sites including National Historic Sites for the purpose of limiting hazards through risk management and mitigation approaches. Tracking the rate of serious incidents relative to visitation is used to assess the effectiveness of safety measures and inform communications strategies and future site design features.

Parks Canada is currently working to identify a target and target date for this indicator. As the work to identify a target and target date for this indicator progresses, Parks Canada may identify the need to adjust the indicator language, adjust the timeline for determining the target, or pursue other indicators.

To mitigate the rate of serious incidents at national historic sites and on historic canals this year, Parks Canada will:

• proactively communicate year-round water condition changes or interventions to residents and potential visitors at national historic sites and historic canals
• continue to share visitor safety education initiatives through staff interaction and digital media, such as in person direction or printed/web-based guidance on how to transit canals and lock stations safely
• encourage distribution of visitation via promotion of quieter shoulder season offerings, including early spring and post Labour Day boating
• ongoing long-term assessment on National Historic Site assets
• close or limit access to areas within National Historic Sites and historic canals where changes in conditions may present temporary hazards
• prioritize available infrastructure funding on assets identified for improvements
• monitor water levels and conditions along the waterways and communicate information proactively to boaters
• undertake water management including dam adjustments when necessary to address higher-than-normal water levels caused by seasonal precipitation or atypical weather events
• provide safety training to new and returning Parks Canada team members who work on at national historic sites and historic canals

Through collaborative and proactive approaches to communicating risks to visitors and residents, Parks Canada works to ensure that everyone can safely enjoy the national historic sites and historic canals it administers.

The places Parks Canada administers are vital to rural and remote tourism economies. A study of Parks Canada’s economic impact showed that for every dollar Parks Canada spent on its operations in fiscal year 2023 to 2024, visitors to the natural and cultural heritage places it administers spent $3. This study also showed that Parks Canada’s operations, including generated tourism, made a total contribution of $5.6 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product and provided approximately 52,000 direct and indirect full-time employment opportunities. The availability and accessibility of these places for Canadians also contributes to the health of Canadians as the benefits from participating in physical activities and being in nature have proven ties to physical and mental health. Those benefits are both at an individual and a societal level, contributing to reducing costs to Canada’s health care system.

Parks Canada has measured this indicator and reported on it in the past, but not on a regular basis. As of this Departmental Plan it will begin to measure this impact on an annual basis to better understand and communicate its significant economic impact on the Canadian economy, especially in rural communities where many of the places administered by Parks Canada are located. As the work to identify a target and target date for these indicators progresses, Parks Canada may identify the need to adjust the indicator language or target or pursue other indicators.

To contribute to Canada’s gross domestic product through visitor and operational spending, this year Parks Canada will:

• support the second year of the Canada Strong Pass by offering free admission to national historic sites, national parks, national marine conservation areas and one national urban park, free lockage at national historic canals, and discounted camping and accommodations, encouraging Canadian tourism and tourist spending in adjacent communities
• collaborate with Destination Canada, as well as federal, provincial, and territorial partners, Indigenous tourism industry partners, and NGOs to support local and regional tourism growth and prosperity as well as an optimal geographic and seasonal distribution of visitors
• support the growth of the tourism sector through integrated marketing activities to increase awareness of Parks Canada’s places
• manage visitation at busy locations to provide high-quality visitor experiences, while ensuring resources and ecosystems are protected
• encourage visitors to enjoy the full range of destinations within the Parks Canada network and across seasons
• promote Parks Canada as places for health and wellness through recreation activities that encourage spending time outdoors

As Canada’s largest federal administrator of Crown lands and second largest federal asset manager, Parks Canada administers places that are home to permanent and seasonal communities and that provide essential resources such as drinking water, hydroelectricity, and support for flood mitigation to adjacent populated areas. Parks Canada also manages and operates highways, including portions of the Trans-Canada Highway, waterways, and utilities infrastructure which also provide direct services and benefits to Canadians, local communities, and Indigenous Peoples.

Parks Canada’s portfolio of built assets includes critical assets that supports public safety, transportation, and the delivery of municipal-like essential services to residents. These include:

• operation, maintenance, and improvement of more than 1,100 km national and provincial highways key to regional and national economy, transportation resilience, and as critical access routes for Canadians
• water management, including bridge and dam infrastructure, along over 600 km of heritage canals and waterways that ensures the safety and benefit of nearby residents and communities in Quebec, Ontario, and Nova Scotia (for example, managing water flow and levels to mitigate flooding, supporting hydro, providing municipal water)
• provision of municipal-type services and the management of utilities infrastructure to support residents in Parks Canada-administered townsites (for example, potable water, wastewater management, road maintenance, snow removal, garbage pick-up and disposal)

Effective stewardship of these assets supports Canadians’ livelihoods, well-being, health, and safety with investments helping to protect people, communities, and the essential services they depend on. If major highways, dams, and utility infrastructure deteriorate into Poor condition, risks to the public, economic activity, and private property may be significantly increased. Focusing attention on the performance of assets in this area helps to ensure that risks to public health and safety are appropriately managed.

As part of the renewal of its Departmental Results Framework, Parks Canada has introduced this indicator as one of the ways it will seek to better track its performance in areas that benefit Canadians. Highlighting changes in the highways, water-level management, and utilities infrastructure Parks Canada manages will provide a clearer understanding of how investments in this important service area influence broader outcomes. Previously, these elements were blended with investments in Parks Canada’s overall portfolio. Given the potential health and safety risks associated with a decline in the condition of these assets, ongoing performance measurement of assets in this area is essential. As this is a new indicator, Parks Canada is currently in the process of establishing a target and gathering baseline data to support its measurement, with plans to finalize these for inclusion in its Departmental Plan for the fiscal year 2028 to 2029.

During fiscal year 2026 to 2027, Parks Canada will continue to make investments in Canada’s national historic sites, national parks, national urban parks, and national marine conservation areas. These efforts are supported by the Budget 2024, which provided $545.1 million in temporary funding between 2024 and 2028 in support for urgent, time-sensitive work on Parks Canada’s real property. Parks Canada will continue directing available funding toward the most urgent investments needed, particularly for assets where current condition poses the greatest risk to the health and safety of visitors, users, local residents and communities, and to Parks Canada team members.

Examples of work in this area planned for this fiscal year include:

• improvements to Highway 93 South through Kootenay National Park in British Columbia, including renewal of pavement surface areas, replacement of retaining wall, and rehabilitation of the Sinclair Rock Tunnel to address health and safety risks (estimated completion: fiscal year 2027 to 2028)
• rehabilitation of Big Chute Marine Railway carriage and components, part of the Trent-Severn Waterway in Ontario, to extend asset service life by 50 years (estimated completion: fiscal year 2028 to 2029)
• replacement of failing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems at multiple buildings in Lake Louise, Yoho, and Kootenay (Alberta and British Columbia) to improve heating, safety, and system reliability (estimated completion: fiscal year 2026 to 2027)
• completion of inspections and dam safety reviews on the Trent-Severn Waterway, Rideau Canal and the canals Parks Canada administers in the province of Quebec to identify locations with the highest likelihood of failure due to age and deterioration of structural components
• gathering and assessing baseline data to support future measurement of the performance of highways, water-level management, and utilities infrastructure

Parks Canada is exploring innovative approaches to demonstrate the broader socio-economic benefits of its presence in largely small rural communities. Building on established frameworks such as the Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW), the Community Well-Being Index (CWB), and emerging concepts like the Community Vitality Contribution Index (CVCI), we will develop a new departmental results indicator that captures contributions beyond tourism. This work will focus on quantifying how Parks Canada supports community vitality through investments and activities that enhance local infrastructure, services, and economic opportunities. This new indicator will capture both tangible and intangible benefits which can help to sustain small communities in all provinces and territories to demonstrate Parks Canada’s vital role in fostering resilient, vibrant rural communities across Canada.

• Description
• Plans to achieve results
• Planned resources to achieve results
• Planning for contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses

• Related government priorities
• Key risks

• Spending
• Funding
• Future-oriented condensed statement of operations
• Human resources

In fiscal year 2023 to 2024, actual expenditures were higher primarily due to non-recurring costs associated with the ratification of collective agreements and related retroactive payments. Additionally, significant wildfire management expenses were incurred in response to major fires in Wood Buffalo National Park.

In fiscal year 2024 to 2025, Parks Canada incurred additional costs for recovery efforts following the wildfire in Jasper National Park. However, overall spending decreased compared to the previous year. This reduction was driven by the absence of one-time retroactive payroll costs incurred in fiscal year 2023 to 2024, lower investments in capital assets, and organization-wide expenditure reductions as a result of the Refocusing Government Spending initiative.

The forecast for fiscal year 2025 to 2026 reflects a further decline in spending, primarily due to lower anticipated wildfire response costs compared to prior years.

The planned spending reflects current approved funding by Treasury Board to support Parks Canada’s programs and incorporates approved annual savings from the Comprehensive Expenditure Review.

The decrease in fiscal year 2026 to 2027 planned spending compared to fiscal year 2025 to 2026 is primarily due to the conclusion of certain time-limited funding related to nature conservation initiatives, including Enhanced Nature Legacy, Marine Conservation Targets, Wildfire Response Capacity, Wood Bison, Species at Risk, Wood Buffalo National Park Action Plan and Whales.

Further reductions in planned spending from fiscal year 2026 to 2027 through fiscal year 2028 to 2029 are largely attributed to the expiry of temporary funding for other initiatives. In fiscal year 2027 to 2028, spending declines as funding concludes for preliminary recovery and rebuilding efforts in Jasper National Park. Additional decreases in fiscal year 2027 to 2028 and fiscal year 2028 to 2029 are due to the end of temporary funding for capital assets investments.

The Net cost of operations is planned to decrease by $276.4 million in fiscal year 2026 to 2027 from $1,250.7 million to $974.3 million.

The decrease in fiscal year 2026 to 2027 planned spending compared to fiscal year 2025 to 2026 is primarily due to the end of temporary funding related to several nature conservation initiatives including Enhanced Nature Legacy, Marine Conservation Targets, Wildfire Response Capacity, Wood Bison, Species at Risk, Wood Buffalo National Park Action Plan and Whales.

The increase in revenues for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year, amounting to $15.4 million compared to the 2025 to 2026 period, is primarily attributable to the biennial adjustment of fees in accordance with the Service Fees Act and the applicable Consumer Price Index including the impact of free admission and camping initiatives.

The slight full-time equivalent decrease in fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026 reflects a strategic staffing approach aligned with the Refocusing Government Spending initiative measures.

The planned decrease in FTEs for fiscal year 2026 to 2027 compared to fiscal year 2025 to 2026 is primarily due to the end of time-limited funding for several nature conservation initiatives including Enhanced Nature Legacy, Marine Conservation Targets, Wildfire Response Capacity, Wood Bison, Species at Risk, Wood Buffalo National Park Action Plan and Whales.

Further reductions in fiscal year 2027 to 2028 are largely attributable to the end of temporary funding for capital assets investments and for preliminary recovery and rebuilding efforts in Jasper National Park.

By fiscal year 2028 to 2029, additional reductions reflect the expiry of temporary funding for the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy program and the full implementation of measures under the Comprehensive Expenditure Review.

Parks Canada remains committed to engaging early and collaboratively with labour partners to responsibly manage workforce impacts resulting from the Comprehensive Expenditure Review and to support affected employees throughout this transition.

Appropriate minister(s)

The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, P.C., M.P.

Institutional head

Ron Hallman, President & Chief Executive Officer

Ministerial portfolio

Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature

Enabling instrument(s)

• Parks Canada Agency Act
• Canada National Parks Act
• Rouge National Urban Park Act
• Historic Sites and Monuments Act
• Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act
• Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park Act
• Historic Canal Regulations pursuant to the Department of Transport Act
• Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act
• Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act
• Species at Risk Act

Year of incorporation / commencement

1998

Mailing address

Parks Canada National Office
30 Victoria Street
Gatineau, Quebec
Canada
J8X 0B3

General Inquiries

1-888-773-8888

General Inquiries (International)

1-819-420-9486

Teletypewriter (TTY)

1-866-787-6221

Email

information@pc.gc.ca

Website

parks.canada.ca

appropriation (crédit)

Any authority of Parliament to pay money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

budgetary expenditures (dépenses budgétaires)

Operating and capital expenditures; transfer payments to other levels of government, departments or individuals; and payments to Crown corporations.

core responsibility (responsabilité essentielle)

An enduring function or role performed by a department. The intentions of the department with respect to a core responsibility are reflected in one or more related departmental results that the department seeks to contribute to or influence.

Departmental Plan (plan ministériel)

A report on the plans and expected performance of an appropriated department over a 3year period. Departmental Plans are usually tabled in Parliament each spring.

departmental result (résultat ministériel)

A consequence or outcome that a department seeks to achieve. A departmental result is often outside departments’ immediate control, but it should be influenced by program-level outcomes.

departmental result indicator (indicateur de résultat ministériel)

A quantitative measure of progress on a departmental result.

departmental results framework (cadre ministériel des résultats)

A framework that connects the department’s core responsibilities to its departmental results and departmental result indicators.

Departmental Results Report (rapport sur les résultats ministériels)

A report on a department’s actual accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in the corresponding Departmental Plan.

full-time equivalent (équivalent temps plein)

A measure of the extent to which an employee represents a full person-year charge against a departmental budget. For a particular position, the full-time equivalent figure is the ratio of number of hours the person actually works divided by the standard number of hours set out in the person’s collective agreement.

gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus) (analyse comparative entre les sexes plus [ACS Plus])

Is an analytical tool used to support the development of responsive and inclusive policies, programs, and other initiatives. GBA Plus is a process for understanding who is impacted by the issue or opportunity being addressed by the initiative; identifying how the initiative could be tailored to meet diverse needs of the people most impacted; and anticipating and mitigating any barriers to accessing or benefitting from the initiative. GBA Plus is an intersectional analysis that goes beyond biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) differences to consider other factors, such as age, disability, education, ethnicity, economic status, geography (including rurality), language, race, religion, and sexual orientation.

Using GBA Plus involves taking a gender- and diversity-sensitive approach to our work. Considering all intersecting identity factors as part of GBA Plus, not only sex and gender, is a Government of Canada commitment.

government priorities (priorités gouvernementales)

For the purpose of the 2026–27 Departmental Plan, government priorities are the high-level themes outlining the government’s agenda in the 2025 Speech from the Throne.

horizontal initiative (initiative horizontale)

An initiative where two or more federal departments are given funding to pursue a shared outcome, often linked to a government priority.

Indigenous business (entreprise autochtones)

Requirements for verifying Indigenous businesses for the purposes of the departmental result report are available through the Indigenous Services Canada Mandatory minimum 5% Indigenous procurement target website.

nonbudgetary expenditures (dépenses non budgétaires)

Non-budgetary authorities that comprise assets and liabilities transactions for loans, investments and advances, or specified purpose accounts, that have been established under specific statutes or under non-statutory authorities in the Estimates and elsewhere. Non-budgetary transactions are those expenditures and receipts related to the government's financial claims on, and obligations to, outside parties. These consist of transactions in loans, investments and advances; in cash and accounts receivable; in public money received or collected for specified purposes; and in all other assets and liabilities. Other assets and liabilities, not specifically defined in G to P authority codes are to be recorded to an R authority code, which is the residual authority code for all other assets and liabilities.

performance (rendement)

What a department did with its resources to achieve its results, how well those results compare to what the department intended to achieve, and how well lessons learned have been identified.

performance indicator (indicateur de rendement)

A qualitative or quantitative means of measuring an output or outcome, with the intention of gauging the performance of a department, program, policy or initiative respecting expected results.

plan (plan)

The articulation of strategic choices, which provides information on how a department intends to achieve its priorities and associated results. Generally, a plan will explain the logic behind the strategies chosen and tend to focus on actions that lead to the expected result.

planned spending (dépenses prévues)

For Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, planned spending refers to those amounts presented in Main Estimates.

A department is expected to be aware of the authorities that it has sought and received. The determination of planned spending is a departmental responsibility, and departments must be able to defend the expenditure and accrual numbers presented in their Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports.

program (programme)

Individual or groups of services, activities or combinations thereof that are managed together within the department and focus on a specific set of outputs, outcomes or service levels.

program inventory (répertoire des programmes)

Identifies all the department’s programs and describes how resources are organized to contribute to the department’s core responsibilities and results.

result (résultat)

A consequence attributed, in part, to a department, policy, program or initiative. Results are not within the control of a single department, policy, program or initiative; instead they are within the area of the department’s influence.

statutory expenditures (dépenses législatives)

Expenditures that Parliament has approved through legislation other than appropriation acts. The legislation sets out the purpose of the expenditures and the terms and conditions under which they may be made.

target (cible)

A measurable performance or success level that a department, program or initiative plans to achieve within a specified time period. Targets can be either quantitative or qualitative.

voted expenditures (dépenses votées)

Expenditures that Parliament approves annually through an appropriation act. The vote wording becomes the governing conditions under which these expenditures may be made.