The Parks Canada Agency Corporate Plan presents strategic objectives and investment strategies for the period 2001-2002 to 2005-2006.
Key priorities are to:
- maintain or restore the ecological integrity of national parks, the sustainability of national marine conservation areas and the commemorative integrity of national historic sites and cultural resources,
- establish new national parks and national marine conservation areas and designate new national historic sites in unrepresented areas,
- engage Canadians so that they feel a strong connection to Canada's protected heritage areas,
- maintain quality service to visitors,
- continue renewal of the human resources regime,
- ensure adequate long-term funding and financial sustainability of the Parks Canada Program
Heritage Resource Protection
Ecological integrity is the first priority in the management of national parks so that future generations can appreciate and benefit from these special places. Parks Canada's State of Protected Heritage Areas Report (1) and the Panel on the Ecological Integrity of Canada's National Parks confirmed that the ecological integrity of national parks is under threat. The Agency has released Parks Canada First Priority Progress Report on Implementation of the Recommendations of the Panel on the Ecological Integrity of Canada's National Parks. Initiatives underway to address concerns include: strengthening science monitoring, preparing recovery plans for species at risk and working collaboratively with other partners to implement ecosystem-based management strategies.
(1) For all plans and reports referred to in this document see the following Parks Canada website address www.parkscanada.gc.ca/library/index_e.htm#reports
The Agency's policy on cultural resource management provides the framework for the long-term protection, presentation, monitoring and reporting of national historic sites. It has become a model for other organizations and institutions both nationally and internationally. As of March 2001, commemorative integrity statements have been completed for 60% of the 145 national historic sites administered by Parks Canada. By March 2004, the approval of management plans for each of these sites will provide national direction for the protection and presentation of national historic sites and their associated resources.
Establishment of National Heritage Places
Parks Canada is required under its Agency legislation to put in place system plans which provide strategic direction for the establishment of national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. The strategic objective established by the National Parks System Plan is to represent each of the 39 natural regions of Canada, with 25 of the regions now represented. In 2001, the Agency completed the negotiations for two proposed national parks. Agreements will be signed once funding approval has been obtained.
The strategic objective established for national marine conservation areas is to represent each of the 29 marine regions of Canada. The implementation of this plan is in its early stages and two regions are currently represented with the Saguenay-St.Lawrence Marine Park and the Fathom Five National Marine Park. Two other marine regions are encompassed under the federal-provincial agreement between Canada and British Columbia for a national marine conservation area adjacent to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, but this agreement has not been implemented yet. A fifth region is partially represented by the marine component of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Funding will be sought to continue expanding the system. In the short-term, negotiations will continue for the establishment of one new national marine conservation area.
A new National Historic Sites of Canada System Plan was launched by the Minister of Canadian Heritage in October 2000. Strategic priorities within the system plan include: increased representation of the history of Aboriginal people, ethno-cultural communities and women.
Heritage Presentation
The interpretation, education and outreach initiatives constitute one of the most highly valued programs offered in the Parks Canada Agency. The national heritage places of Canada rank among the highest of Canada's symbols. At individual parks and sites the interpretive programs have deep and lasting impacts on individuals and families and their knowledge, understanding and pride in Canada. Parks Canada will invest in coordinated communications to ensure that Canadians will know the systems of national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. Our goal is that Canadians will understand and enjoy these special places, feel an emotional connection and sense of ownership.
Targeted resources will be dedicated to communications, education and interpretation programs administered by Parks Canada. Financial resources will be directed to restore and update the on-site physical infrastructure, interpretive centres, discovery places, publications and educational materials. Existing on-site programs will be sustained and heritage presentation will increasingly emphasize ecological integrity and commemorative integrity messages. Communications will be delivered nationally in a consistent fashion to ensure a coherent corporate image. Parks Canada's Internet site, which received 88 million hits in 2000, will play an increasing role in connecting Canadians through the electronic highway. Other priorities will include building a virtual journey of Canada's heritage places, providing access to Canadian content through digitization of original research material and providing access to Canada's youth through educational materials.
Over time, Parks Canada will endeavour to increase its presence in urban centres utilizing its existing resources. The Agency will seek out opportunities to work with third parties to extend the knowledge and understanding of Canada's special places.
Visitor Services
Parks Canada places a high priority on providing quality services to visitors at national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas to enable them to enjoy and appreciate heritage places. The Agency receives 25 million person-visits annually at some 180 parks, sites and canals throughout Canada. These services generate economic impacts in excess of $1.2 billion.
In public surveys of quality of service, Parks Canada ranked at the top of all federal government programs. At most sites, over 85% of visitors are satisfied. Parks Canada will work to maintain high quality services to visitors in both official languages.
Work will continue with the tourism industry to influence messaging and practices so that they are consistent with commemorative and ecological integrity values. Strategies will be developed to influence the expectations and behaviours of those who market and use national heritage places to ensure that type, level and timing are consistent with the capacity of ecosystems and cultural resources.
People Management
As a separate employer, the Agency has the opportunity to develop its own tailored approaches to human resources management. Design and implementation of the human resources management regime will continue in 2001-2002. Components being worked on are: the compensation framework, classification system, collective bargaining and the accountability framework for people management. The Agency's analysis of its workforce demographics indicates that succession planning is a critical issue, along with maintaining corporate expertise and developing new skills. Specific strategies for addressing recruitment and succession needs will be developed over the planning period.
Parks Canada will pursue its efforts to achieve appropriate representation of all equity groups by implementing and maintaining special measures in the areas of recruitment, career development and awareness. The Employment Equity Plan gives particular attention to the special commitments to Aboriginal peoples related to land claims, national park establishment agreements and other settlements with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Over the planning period, particular efforts will be directed at improving under representation of members of visible minority groups and persons with disabilities
Financial Sustainability of the Parks Canada Program
A major strategic objective in the previous Corporate Plan was to address the Agency's financial challenges. This Corporate Plan does not assume new funding to meet Parks Canada's mandate of system expansion and ensuring ecological and commemorative integrity for future generations. Discussions are ongoing to seek solutions to this issue.
A comprehensive review of the existing infrastructure has indicated that the majority of assets have now passed their expected life cycle. The state of some of these facilities negatively impacts the ecological and commemorative integrity of parks and sites. Parks Canada has received $58.7 million in new funding in 2001-2002 to 2002-2003 for asset improvement to address the most urgent health and safety concerns and protect cultural resources in peril. Strategies are being developed to address the critical issue that two-thirds of the Agency's current assets are in fair or poor condition.
Tom Lee
Chief Executive Officer
Parks Canada Agency
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