Law enforcement at Parks Canada

Park wardens

Park wardens are peace officers as defined in the Criminal Code and have the broad powers of police officers.

Since 2009, park wardens have specialized in law enforcement and are now part of Parks Canada's Law Enforcement Branch.

Their main duties are to:

  • enforce laws that protect natural and cultural resources
  • ensure visitors have quality experiences
  • help educate the public about protected areas
Smiling park warden in the Waskesiu townsite in Prince Albert National Park

History of the Parks Canada Warden Service

Rocky Mountains Park (now Banff National Park) was established in 1885. The next year, the first group of Fire Patrolmen and Game Law Enforcement Officers was hired. In 1909, Howard E. Sibbald was appointed as the park’s Chief Fire and Game Warden. These two groups formed the beginning of the Parks Canada Warden Service.

The Parks Canada Warden Service has changed a lot since its early days. At that time, it mostly consisted of former trappers, mountain men, veterans, and even reformed poachers.

Through the middle of the 20th century, the network of protected areas grew across Canada. The park warden role also expanded to include:

  • mountain rescue
  • natural and cultural resource management
  • ecological monitoring
  • other duties
A historical black and white photo of park wardens Joe Burkitt and R.W. Langford posing in Yoho National Park in 1938, wearing the first park warden uniform.

Park wardens Joe Burkitt and R.W. Langford in Yoho National Park in 1938, wearing the first park warden uniform.

Become a park warden

Consider joining the Parks Canada Warden Service.

Help protect some of the natural and cultural wonders of Canada, and help people have safe, quality experiences.

Learn more about working for Parks Canada and search current job postings.

A park warden on patrol in Point Pelee National Park, looking out over Lake Erie from atop a rock

Report an offence

Call 911 for police, fire or ambulance.

Report all violations related to the Canada National Parks Act to Parks Canada law enforcement, including:

  • feeding and harassing wildlife
  • campground and noise complaints
  • littering
  • removal of natural or cultural artifacts
  • fishing violations
  • poaching
  • polluting

To report violations for the following national parks, call 1-888-WARDENS (1-888-927-3367):

  • Banff National Park
  • Yoho National Park
  • Kootenay National Park
  • Waterton National Park

To report violations for the following national parks, call 1-888-762-1422:

  • Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
  • Forillon National Park
  • Saguenay St-Lawrence Marine Park

To report violations for all other national parks and Parks Canada sites, including Jasper National Park and Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site, call 1-877-852-3100.

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