MANDATE

arks Canada was established as an agency of the federal government in the Parks Canada Agency Act in December 1998. Its mandate is to protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage, and to foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure the ecological and commemorative integrity of these places for present and future generations.

NATIONAL PROGRAMS

For more than a century, the Government of Canada has been involved in protecting outstanding natural areas and in commemorating significant aspects of Canadian history. Parks Canada manages three major programs: national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas.

System of National Parks

Through the national parks program, representative examples of Canada's natural regions are protected, their value is communicated to the public, and services and facilities are provided so that people may use and enjoy them.

Canada's national parks system began in 1885 when the federal government reserved 26 square kilometres around the hot mineral springs near what is now the town of Banff. The Banff Hot Springs Reserve was officially set aside in the Rocky Mountains Park Act of 1887. When the National Parks Act was introduced in 1930, there were 14 parks. Today, there are a total of 39 national parks. The first national parks systems plan establishing the parks according to an organized set of principles, was published in 1971. In the State of the Parks 1997 Report, Parks Canada agreed on a framework of indicators to assess ecological integrity to support ecosystem management based on the need to maintain ecological integrity.

The establishment of new national parks is guided by the National Parks System Plan. This plan is founded on ensuring that each of the 39 natural regions of Canada is represented by at least one national park. The process includes five steps: identifying representative natural areas, selecting a potential national park, assessing park feasibility, negotiating a park agreement and obtaining clear title, and establishing a new national park in legislation.

Last Updated: 2002-05-07

Important Notices