Public Invited To Weigh In On Plans For Canada’s Mountain Parks

By NPT Staff - April 15th, 2021

A solo canoeist on Moraine Lake in Banff National Park.

Enjoying Moraine Lake in Banff National Park/Johan Lolos, Destination Canada

Parks Canada has officially launched Indigenous and public engagement on the draft management plans for the mountain national parks.

It’s inviting all Canadians, including youth, to share their views on the draft plans and help influence the future of these spots. Public engagement programs are underway for Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Yoho National Park, Kootenay National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, Mount Revelstoke National Park and Canada's Glacier National Park (and with it Rogers Pass National Historic Site).

"The mountain national parks are iconic Canadian treasures, internationally renowned for their marvelous landscapes, amazing visitor experiences and incredible biodiversity,” Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, said in a news release. “Management planning in the mountain national parks is an opportunity for the public to help shape the future of these special places so that we can protect and enjoy them for generations to come."

The parks are among the oldest national parks in Canada. Banff was the first national park established in Canada in 1885. Yoho and Glacier followed in 1886 and Waterton Lakes was added in 1895. Jasper was established in 1907 and Mount Revelstoke joined in 1914. Kootenay is the youngest, having been established in 1920.

A view of Spirit Island at Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park/Johan Lolos, Destination Canada

Parks Canada has coordinated development of the draft park management plans for these seven parks. Common themes and priorities in the plans include:

• To ensure protection of natural and cultural resources, ecological integrity and park landscapes for future generations.
• To provide exceptional opportunities for Canadians to develop a sense of connection to the natural and cultural heritage of these places.
• To strengthen Indigenous relations based on a recognition of rights, respect, collaboration and partnership.
• To connect Canadians with these dynamic ecosystems and human stories, as well as nature and history.
• To manage development and ensure ecological integrity is the first priority.
• To contribute to landscape-scale conservation in Canada by being ecologically and socially connected across boundaries.
• To contribute to an understanding of climate change and its impacts over time.

Indigenous, stakeholder and public views provided during the first round of engagement in the spring of 2019 helped shape these draft plans. The results of this engagement will help finalize the management plans, after which they will be approved and tabled in Parliament.

These plans are a legislative requirement under the Canada National Parks Act and guide the management of Parks Canada’s administered places, which include 171 national historic sites, 47 national parks, five national marine conservation areas and one national urban park.

These plans are reviewed on a scheduled cycle, to ensure continuity and relevance. Plan reviews let Parks Canada build on the strengths of previous plans and develop new direction where needed to achieve the desired future for the park.

More information about each management plan and opportunities for input is available at letstalkmountainparks.ca.

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