Through the National Parks
Program (under the Canada
National Parks Act), Parks Canada manages
around 40 National Parks and National Park Reserves. There are 4 National Parks and 2 National Park Reserves in
British Columbia, although a new National Park is currently under development
in the Gulf Islands.
Parks Canada is responsible for
two types of planning. First, it
must identify what areas will be designated as new parks under the National
Parks Plan. Second, it is
responsible for developing a Park Management Plan for existing National
Parks.
Identifying New National Parks
Parks Establishment Branch,
National Parks Directorate of seeks to represent each of the 39 distinct
“National Park Natural Regions” (several of the national parks have aquatic
components (either freshwater (lakes/rivers) or marine (marine components to several
coastal national parks). There are seven different regions in British Columbia.
There must be14 more national parks to complete the National Park Plan.
Although there is a distinct
system for developing national parks, within the planning framework, the
development of each park is different, with many factors outside of the control
of the federal government. In identifying a new park, Parks Canada will:
·
Identify representative natural area that meets the
Government’s objectives for a new park (including ecological integrity,
significant cultural heritage features, opportunity for public education, etc.)
·
Conduct a detailed feasibility assessment, including public input (First Nations, local
communities, other levels of government, NGOs, industry, and the general
public).
·
If the assessment demonstrates that a park is feasible
and there is public support for the park, the government may decide to
negotiate an agreement with the provincial government, transferring the
administration of the land where the park is designated to the federal
government. Where there is a comprehensive aboriginal land claim, a new park
can be established as part of a negotiated claim settlement or a park reserve
can be established pending the resolution of the claim.
·
The new national park must be formally established
under legislation of the Parliament of Canada so that the National Park Act and
Regulations apply.
Park Management Plan
In addition to planning for the
establishment of these sites under the National Parks Plan, Parks Canada must
develop Management Plans for individual national parks. These plans are to be created within 5
years of the establishment of the Park, and are then reviewed every 5 years. A Management Plan must contain:
“a long-term ecological
vision for the park, a set of ecological integrity objectives and indicators
and provisions for resource protection and restoration, zoning, visitor use,
public awareness and performance evaluation…”
The Minister is required “where
applicable” to consult with the public in the development of Park Management
Plans. If you are interested in
the management of a particular park, speak to Parks Canada about getting a copy
of the plan and about opportunities for participating in the review or
development of the plan.
Related Guide Pages:
·
Canada National Parks Act
·
Park Act (British Columbia)
For more information about National Park
Plans:
·
Parks Canada
website, including the publication Introduction
to National Parks System Plan, Status of Planning for Natural Regions.
