About Us

Minister's Message

As Minister responsible for Parks Canada, I invite all Canadians to take advantage of the magnificent natural spaces and notable historical places that our beautiful country has to offer.

Whether visiting our breathtaking national parks and conservation areas, or learning more about the history of the remarkable Canadian men, women, places and events that have made our country great, our goal at Parks Canada is to help Canadians appreciate, and connect with, our natural and cultural treasures.

Parks Canada is the proud steward of 42 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas.

Banff National Park – our first – celebrated its 125th birthday in 2010. Last year, we marked the centennial of the National Parks Service itself. And this year we will focus on the bicentenary of the War of 1812, the conflict which established the course for Canada to become a free and independent country.

But we’re not resting on the laurels of our magnificent Parks Service.

Last October, at either end of the country, we joined with provincial governments in making major new announcements.

In Nova Scotia we announced the creation of Sable Island National Park Reserve, which will be Canada’s 43rd national park.

And in British Columbia, we announced a proposed boundary for a national marine conservation area reserve in the Southern Strait of Georgia.

We’re moving ahead with plans to create a national marine conservation area in Lancaster Sound – called the “Serengeti of the Arctic”– because of the abundance of fish, birds and sea mammals.

And now we’re working to pull together a totally new concept – another first for Canada – a national urban park in the Rouge Valley in Toronto.

East, west, north, south – we are at work everywhere, side-by-side with our partners, building a legacy for tomorrow.

The Honourable Peter Kent
Canada’s Environment Minister and
Minister responsible for Parks Canada