2011-2012 Parks Canada Agency Corporate Plan

Section IV - Other Items of Interest

Additional Information on Parks Canada's Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

Mandate

On behalf of the people of Canada, we protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure the ecological and commemorative integrity of these places for present and future generations.

Vision

Canada's treasured natural and historic places will be a living legacy, connecting hearts and minds to a stronger, deeper understanding of the very essence of Canada.

Parks Canada Sustainable Development Vision

Sustainable development is central to Parks Canada's mandate and vision, which are stated above. As an Agency responsible for the protection of Canada's natural and cultural heritage, Parks Canada's contribution to the environmental and social pillars of sustainable development is readily apparent. Parks Canada activities also contribute to the Canadian economy. Its expenditures support over 31,000 jobs, including employment in many communities across the country directly associated with a national park, national marine conservation area or national historic site.

Agency Decision-making and Sustainable Development

Managing Sustainable Development

Parks Canada's mandate is composed of three elements: protection, education and visitor experience. In recent years, Parks Canada has aggressively pursued the integration of these three elements in the planning, design and delivery of its activities. For example, Parks Canada is carrying out active management and restoration projects in national parks. These Action-on-the-Ground projects often are designed in a manner that ensures the conservation of natural resources, while enhancing visitor experience and including educational components. This integrated approach to the delivery of Parks Canada's mandate has strengthened the Agency's contribution to all aspects of sustainable development- environmental, social and economic. Examples of Action-on-the-Ground projects are found in section II of the Parks Canada's Corporate Plan/Report on Plans and Priorities under Program Activity 2 Heritage Resources Conservation. Once completed, these Action-on-the-Ground projects will directly contribute to the improvement of key indicators of ecological integrity in 20 of Canada's national parks and to the achievement of target 6.2 of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, which reads as follows: Maintain or improve the overall ecological integrity of all national parks from March 2008 to March 2013.

Strategic Environmental Assessments

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is a systematic, comprehensive process of evaluating the environmental effects of a proposed policy, plan or program and its alternatives. Parks Canada has integrated SEA as part of its decision-making process and will undertake SEA when a proposed policy, plan or program requires Cabinet or Ministerial approval and may result in important environmental effects, either positive or negative. The SEA will identify and mitigate any adverse environmental effects and enhance positive effects to support the achievement of FSDS goals and Parks Canada's expected results.

Consistent with the Government of Canada's commitment to strengthen the application of SEA in the federal government, Parks Canada will post public statements on the internet for all completed SEAs (in conjunction with the public announcement of the initiatives assessed).

For additional details on SEA please visit Parks Canada's website at http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/progs/eie-eia/itm3.aspx.

Additional Information on the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

Information on the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Theme IV of Greening Government Operations can be found on Treasury Board Secretariat's website at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rpp/2011-2012/index-eng.asp?acr=1800.

For complete details on the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy please visit Environment Canada's website at http://www.ec.gc.ca/dd-sd/default.asp?lang=En&n=C2844D2D-1