A significant shift in cultural resource management at Parks Canada starting September 1st

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to share that the Policy on the Management of Cultural Resources, Archaeological Sites, Heritage Lighthouses, and World Heritage Sites has received ministerial approval and will come into effect on September 1, 2025. This policy applies to all places in which Parks Canada has a role in caring for and administering.

Its approval reinforces our commitment to protect and present cultural heritage. It formalizes Parks Canada’s efforts to recognize and respect Indigenous history, heritage values, and memory practices in Canada’s national heritage and history in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 79 (ii).

I want to thank the over 90 Indigenous nations, governments, and communities from across the country as well as the national heritage organizations and individuals who participated in the extensive engagement process that helped shape this fundamental policy instrument. I also want to thank the Cultural Heritage Policy and Planning team and all Parks Canada team members who supported and contributed to this effort.

The implementation of this principle-based policy marks a significant shift in cultural resource management at Parks Canada. Its success depends on shared responsibility, including key roles for both the Operations and the Real Property and Assets directorates.

I invite each of you to read the policy on the Parks Canada website and reflect on how the principles can be applied to your work to ensure a variety of perspectives and worldviews inform the appreciation and conservation of Canada’s cultural heritage. For more information and resources to support its implementation, visit the Cultural Heritage Policies page on ParksNet.

Thank you,

Ron Hallman

President & CEO

#ParksCanadaProud

Reminder to managers: In keeping with Parks Canada's procedures for communications with employees, managers are responsible for ensuring all team members under their responsibility receive the information intended for them. It is important that you find a means to transmit this message and, if any, the attachment(s) to employees without access to Parks Canada e-mail or the intranet, e.g. by posting it, circulating a paper copy or by any other appropriate means.