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29-470: National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs) is a Parks Canada programme responsible for marine areas managed for sustainability and containing smaller zones of high protection. They include the seabed , the water itself and any species which occur there. They may also include wetlands , estuaries , islands and other coastal lands. They are protected from dumping , undersea mining and oil and gas exploration and development, which may damage

58-401: A female beaver, is Parks Canada's mascot. A series of animated shorts starring her are hosted on the organization's website and have also been aired on television as interstitials . The Parks Canada Agency was established as a separate service entity in 1998 and falls under the responsibility of Environment and Climate Change Canada . Before 2003, Parks Canada (under various names) fell under

87-502: A large majority of their protected areas and heritage sites with Indigenous partners . The Canadian Register of Historic Places is supported and managed by the agency, in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments and other federal bodies. The agency is also the working arm of the national Historic Sites and Monuments Board , which recommends National Historic Sites , Events , and Persons . The minister of environment and climate change ( Steven Guilbeault since 2021)

116-485: A legal challenge to its use, there are no precise and clear definitions for it ". Regardless of the fluidity of the term, there are some common elements, "There are, however, certain common elements found in many definitions: naturalness, wholeness, continuity through time ". According to the most recent iteration of the Canada National Parks Act S.C. 2000, c.32 ., Parks Canada is responsible for

145-437: A more holistic approach, fostering increasingly complete results. One of Parks Canada's most recent publications, Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators: Ecological integrity of national parks (2018), demonstrates how effective Parks Canada's recent efforts have been. More exhaustive science-based methodology allows for more precise results and ultimately, better management. This document, and all results, are based on

174-455: A significant amount of debate surrounding the definition of ecological integrity. As can be seen through the evolution of the term, ecological integrity is deeply rooted in notions of symbiosis, sustainability, and holistic management practices. There is a fair amount of debate surrounding the definition of the term in the academic world as well. For example, "[ecological integrity] has a high degree of linguistic elasticity and should there ever be

203-697: Is responsible for the agency, and it is managed by its chief executive officer (Ron Hallman since 2019). The agency's budget was $ 1.3 billion in the 2020–2021 fiscal year and it employed 4,666 public servants in March 2021. Parks Canada was established on May 19, 1911, as the Dominion Parks Branch under the Department of the Interior , becoming the world's first national park service. Since its creation, its name has changed, known variously as

232-399: Is a notable improvement, considering that in 2000, 54 per cent of parks were suffering some form of major or severe ecological stresses. In 2018, there are 12 ecosystems rated as poor, 20 EI indicators in decline, particularly forests and freshwater environments. Overall, this improvement is a testament to what Parks Canada Agency's ecological integrity monitoring program is capable of. Parka,

261-676: Is based on three publications: Monitoring and Reporting Ecological Integrity in Canada’s National Parks Volume I: Guiding Principles (2005) and the compendium document, Volume 2: A Park-Level Guide to Establishing EI Monitoring (2007) , Consolidated Guidelines for Ecological Integrity Monitoring in Canada’s National Parks (2011). The most recent iteration of guidelines for ecological integrity monitoring, Consolidated Guidelines for Ecological Integrity Monitoring in Canada’s National Parks (2011) ,

290-663: Is mandated to "protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage , and foster public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations ". The agency also administers lands and waters set aside as potential national parklands, including 10 National Park Reserves and one National Marine Conservation Area Reserve. More than 450,000 km (170,000 sq mi) of lands and waters in national parks and national marine conservation areas has been set aside for such purposes. Parks Canada cooperatively manages

319-413: Is significantly more robust and science based. Some of the notable improvements include the integration of a trend variable designed to demonstrate whether the indicator is deteriorating, stable or improving. In addition, the inclusion of quantitative thresholds to determine the state of indicator will allow for more accurate results. Lastly, the incorporation of an “ Iceberg Model for EI Indicator ” provides

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348-491: The Act . In May 2012, it was reported that Park Wardens may be cross designated to enforce certain wildlife acts administered by Environment Canada . Should the designations go ahead it would only be for Park Wardens that are stationed near existing migratory bird sanctuaries. Essentially the intent of the change is to allow for a faster and lower-cost response to environmental enforcement incidents, particularly in remote areas in

377-576: The Agency’s Guide to Management Planning in 2008 to restructure the agency and ensure that this new integrated approach could be applied to all national parks. With these changes, Parks Canada formally began monitoring for ecological integrity in 2008 and is ongoing to date. These modifications are consistent with the Office of the Auditor General of Canada ’s observations in the 2005 report of

406-592: The Canada National Parks Act as Park Wardens and are peace officers as defined by the Criminal Code . They carry firearms and non-lethal intervention options. The minister may also designate provincial and local enforcement officers under section 19 of the Act for the purpose of enforcing laws within the specified parks. These officers have the power of peace officers only in relation to

435-590: The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development . For example, “The 6 to 8 ecological integrity indicators for each national park measure the health of Canada's national parks by reporting on the indicator’s condition and trend (improving, stable or declining) over time”. This ecological integrity monitoring program summarizes the state of a park's ecological integrity using “good, fair, poor”. Parks Canada's ecological integrity monitoring program

464-725: The Secretary of State for the Provinces . The Act designated the Minister as ex officio the Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs . From 30 March 1912 to 9 February 1913, and from 31 December 1919 to 6 August 1930, the Minister of the Interior was also designated ex officio the Minister of Mines . In 1917 the responsibility for passports was transferred to the Minister of Immigration and Colonization . It

493-527: The 29 identified marine regions with studies underway for protected areas in three additional regions. Parks Canada Parks Canada ( French : Parcs Canada ), is the agency of the Government of Canada which manages the country's 48 National Parks , three National Marine Conservation Areas , 172 National Historic Sites , one National Urban Park ( Rouge National Urban Park ), and one National Landmark ( Pingo Canadian Landmark ). Parks Canada

522-674: The Dominion Parks Branch, National Parks Branch, Parks Canada, Environment Canada – Parks Branch, and the Canadian Parks Service, before a return to Parks Canada in 1998. The service's activities are regulated under legislation such as the Canada National Parks Act , and the Parks Canada Agency Act , which established the current legal incorporation of the agency in 1998. To mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, Parks Canada offered free passes to national parks and national historic sites for

551-604: The Park report was designed to ensure accountability in the management structure of Parks Canada Agency. In the author’s words, “The State of the Park report is the accountability mechanism for Field Unit Superintendents to report to the CEO on achieving the Agency’s Corporate Plan performance expectations related to maintaining and improving ecological integrity ”. In addition to this reform, Parks Canada also updated and released

580-423: The aquatic or terrestrial ecosystems in the conservation area. However, not all commercial activities are prohibited in these zones. Shipping, commercial and sport fishing, and recreational activities are allowed. In 1996, Nature Canada developed its Marine Conservation Program in recognition that marine ecosystems were as affected by human activity as terrestrial ecosystems. At that time, Canada's National Parks Act

609-442: The assessment of 118 ecosystems throughout 42 national parks across Canada. Parks Canada Agency claims that 68 per cent of parks sampled are in good condition, 20 per cent fair, 17 per cent poor. Furthermore, of the 118 ecosystems sampled, 69 per cent are stable, 19.5 per cent are improving and 12 per cent are declining, according to Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators: Ecological integrity of national parks (2018) . This

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638-470: The ecological integrity of all national parks . To cite section 8 (2): “Maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity through the protection of natural resources and natural processes, shall be the first priority of the Minister when considering all aspects of the management of park ” ( Canada National Parks Act, 2000 ) . This law put additional onus on Parks Canada Agency to implement a robust science-based conservation and monitoring program. Following

667-518: The jurisdiction of the Department of Canadian Heritage , where it had been since 1994. From 1979 to 1994, Parks Canada was part of the Department of Environment, and before it was part of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs (1966 to 1978), and the Department of the Interior. With the organizational shifts and political leadership in Canada, the priorities of Parks Canada have shifted over

696-409: The north where Environment Canada does not have an ongoing presence, but Parks Canada has a Park Warden nearby who could act on its behalf, rather than have Environment Canada responded from a farther office. According to Panel on Ecological Integrity Report in 2000 , "the idea of conserving nature unimpaired has been part of national parks’ legal mandate since 1930". The term “ecological integrity”

725-451: The publication of the Panel on Ecological Integrity Report in 2000, Parks Canada Agency released Status on Agency Progress since First Priority in 2008 as a response. One major stride mentioned is the implementation of a policy requirement for national parks to report on the state of ecological integrity every five years, summarizing reports from monitoring programs in place. This State of

754-416: The year. Park Wardens protect natural and cultural resources by conducting patrols of National Parks, National Historic sites and National Marine Conservation Areas. They ensure the safety of staff, visitors and residents, and conduct strategic enforcement activities aimed at public peace maintenance, resource protection, visitor enjoyment and administrative compliance. They are designated under section 18 of

783-442: The years more towards conservation and away from development. Starting in the 1960s, Parks Canada has also moved to decentralize its operations. The Department of Canadian Heritage , which runs federal Museums, and heritage and cultural programming, falls under the control of the Minister of Canadian Heritage . Department of the interior (Canada) The position was created in 1873 by Statute 36 Victoria, c. 4, to replace

812-539: Was designed to guide conservation and protection only on land. So that year, Nature Canada began advocating for new legislation that would enable the creation of national marine conservation areas. Over the next several years we met with federal government policy decision-makers, gave testimony at hearings, and conducted a public awareness campaign about marine conservation areas. As of 2020, established NMCAs and NMCA Reserves protect 14,846 km (5,732 sq mi) of waters, wetlands, and coastlines, representing five of

841-469: Was put into the 1988 amendments to the National Parks Act but was in park policy as early as 1979. The Panel on Ecological Integrity Report proposed the following definition: "An ecosystem has integrity when it is deemed characteristic for its natural region, including the composition and abundance of native species and biological communities, rates of change and supporting processes ". There is

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