Sources of Federal Government and Employee Information

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Introduction to Info Source

Info Source: Sources of Federal Government and Employee Information provides information about the functions, programs, activities and related information holdings of government institutions subject to the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act. It provides individuals and employees of the government (current and former) with relevant information to access personal information about themselves held by government institutions subject to the Privacy Act and to exercise their rights under the Privacy Act.

Central access is provided to the Foreword and a list of the index of institutions subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. The Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act assign overall responsibility to the President of Treasury Board (as the designated Minister) for the government-wide administration of the legislation.

General information

Background

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change is responsible for the Parks Canada Agency. Parks Canada protects and presents nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage, and fosters public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that support the preservation of the ecological and commemorative integrity Statements of these places for present and future generations. Canada's national historic sites, national parks, national marine conservation areas, national urban park and heritage canals, or which Parks Canada is a steward, offer Canadians opportunities to visit, experience and personally connect with these heritage places. In carrying out its responsibilities, Parks Canada works in collaboration with a number of partners, including Indigenous peoples, regional and national stakeholders, businesses and neighboring communities.

Parks Canada is responsible for application of the following legislation:

Responsibilities

The Parks Canada Agency mandate is defined in the Parks Canada Agency Act.

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

Parks Canada manages national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas on behalf of Canadians. Parks Canada is a steward of these heritage places, protecting them and sharing them for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations of Canadians. Parks Canada welcomes more than 25 million visitors annually to the heritage places the Agency administers.

As the first national park service in the world, Parks Canada is responsible for including representative examples of Canada's natural regions in completing the parks system. Forty-seven national parks represent 31 of Canada's 39 terrestrial natural regions and protect approximately 336,343 square kilometres of Canada's lands. In managing national parks, Parks Canada is mandated to maintain or restore ecological integrity, and to provide Canadians with opportunities to discover and enjoy them.

The Rouge National Urban Park – the first of its kind in Canada – provides a unique opportunity to connect urban Canadians to their natural and cultural heritage and protects the park's natural ecosystems and cultural landscapes, as well as maintaining its native wildlife and the health of those ecosystems.

The system of national historic sites includes 1004 national historic sites, of which 171 are administered by Parks Canada, 690 persons of national historic significance, and 475 events of national historic significance. The system is developed in collaboration with Canadians to define important aspects of Canada's history and contributes to the recognition and celebration of significant anniversaries. The long-term objective is a system that represents the breadth and diversity of Canadian history. Parks Canada brings to life the key moments of Canada's history at the national historic sites it administers through special programming that offers unique opportunities for visitors to personally connect with and experience these places.

The National Marine Conservation Areas System represents five of Canada's 29 marine regions and protects approximately 14,800 square kilometres of Canada's marine and freshwater ecosystems. Canada's four national marine conservation areas represent marine regions in two oceans and the Great Lakes. The Agency works to foster the ecologically sustainable use of marine resources while protecting its key features for the benefit and enjoyment of Canadians, visitors and coastal communities.

Parks Canada's nine heritage canals support commercial and recreational boating and include water management as well as the management of bridge and dam infrastructure for the benefit of Canadians.

Additional national programs focus on other heritage designations, including heritage railway stations, heritage lighthouses, federal heritage buildings and Canadian heritage rivers.

Parks Canada demonstrates leadership in heritage conservation both nationally and internationally. In Canada, the Agency administers the National Cost-Sharing Program for Heritage Places, a contribution program for non-federally-owned national historic sites of Canada. Internationally, the Agency represents Canada as a State member of the World Heritage Convention and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and through participation in other international organizations, conventions and agreements.

More information on Parks Canada's mandate and responsibilities is available at The Parks Canada mandate and charter.

Institutional functions, programs and activities

Core responsibility: protecting and presenting Canada’s natural and cultural heritage

Establish national parks and national marine conservation areas; designate places, persons and events of national historic significance; protect and conserve natural and cultural heritage guided by science and Indigenous knowledge; provide opportunities to visit, experience and enjoy Canada’s natural and cultural heritage; work with the public, other federal departments, provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples, and stakeholders to carry out these responsibilities.

Heritage place establishment program

This program aims to establish heritage places in order to conserve Canada’s natural and cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. This process results in national parks and national urban parks, national marine conservation areas, persons and events, and other designated heritage places, including world heritage sites.

Establishment or designation is achieved through:

  • feasibility assessments
  • public nominations
  • research
  • consultation and engagement with Indigenous peoples, stakeholders and the general public
  • negotiations with other governments and Indigenous organizations
  • recommendations from advisory bodies, where required.

The Program also supports the Government of Canada’s outcome of “a vibrant Canadian culture and heritage” and the achievement of Canada’s international biodiversity goals.

  • Mineral Resources in National Parks and National Marines Conservations Areas (PC HPE NP MR 001)
  • National Historic Sites Historical and Contemporary Technical References (PC HPE NHS CTR 001)
  • National Parks, Marine Conservation Areas and Urban Park Establishment (PC HPE NMC EP 001)
  • National Program of Historical Commemoration (PC HPE NHS EP 001)
    • National Historic Sites (PC PPU 085)

Heritage places conservation program

This program aims to protect and conserve the natural and cultural resources of heritage places managed by Parks Canada, including some World Heritage Sites in Canada, for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. This program also provides financial and professional support and advice to heritage places not administered by Parks Canada, and supports Canada’s international conservation obligations. Conservation of natural and cultural resources includes various knowledge-based approaches, applied science, monitoring and reporting, active management, ecological restoration, species recovery, environmental assessment, fire management, commemorative integrity assessments and statements for national historic sites and compliance activities. The Program supports the Government of Canada’s outcome of “A clean and healthy environment.”

  • Cultural Resource Management (PC HRC NP CRM 007)
    • Research and Collection Permit System (PC PPU 061)
  • Environmental Assessment (PC HRC NP EA 001)
  • Fire Management (PC HRC NP FM 002)
  • National Historic Sites Conservation Programs (PC HRC NHS CP 002)
    • National Historic Sites (PC PPU 085)
  • National Historic Sites Conservation - Engineering and Architectural Projects (PC HRC NHS EAP 003)
  • National Historic Sites Conservation - Environmental Protection (PC HRC NHS EP 004)
  • National Historic Sites Conservation - Resource Management (PC HRC NHS RM 005)
    • Research and Collection Permit System (PC PPU 061)
  • National Historic Sites Conservation - Water Resources (PC HRC NHS WR 006)
  • National Marine and National Urban Park Conservation Areas Resource Management (PC HRC NMC RM 003)
  • National Marine Conservation Areas and National Urban Park Management (PC HRC NMC CM 002)
    • High Risk Activities (PC PPU 069)
    • Research and Collection Permit System (PC PPU 061)
  • National Historic Sites and National Parks Conservation - Engineering and Architectural Projects (PC HRC NP EAP 004)
  • Natural Resource Management (PC HRC NP NRM 005)
  • Other Heritage Places Conservation Programs (PC HRC OHP CP 001)
    • Heritage Lighthouse Program (PC PPU 052)
    • National Historic Sites (PC PPU 085)
  • Other Heritage Places Conservation - Engineering and Architectural Projects (PC HRC OHP EAP 003)
  • Other Historic Sites Conservation - Environmental Protection (PC HRC OHP EP 004)
  • Parks Canada Resource Protection, Prevention and Law Enforcement (PC VE UP PLE 001)
  • Species At Risk (PC HRC NP SAR 006)

Heritage places promotion and public support program

This program aims to strengthen awareness and appreciation of Canada's national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas, and to introduce key audiences, such as youth, new Canadians, low- and middle-income Canadians, and urban Canadians to these places.

Promotional activities strengthen awareness of heritage places managed by Parks Canada as well as key visitor experience offers and programs. Promotional activities include:

  • advertising
  • social media promotion
  • marketing
  • proactive media
  • collaborative efforts with national, regional, and local partners and the tourism trade.

Outreach activities introduce Canadians to these places through direct connections, interactive experiences, and learning. Outreach activities include:

  • digital products such as online video, television, websites, and social media
  • interactive activities (kiosks or carts for short-term in-person information or interpretation with members of the public) and presence at institutions such as museums and aquariums.

Collaborative arrangements and partnerships play an important role in promotions and outreach. A significant portion of the Outreach function works to further Parks Canada’s reach and connections through partnering with youth-oriented and new-Canadian-oriented organizations. This program supports the Government of Canada's outcome of "a vibrant Canadian culture and heritage".

  • Outreach Products and Initiatives (PC PAU EEC 001)
  • Stakeholder and Partner Engagement (PC PAU SPE 002)
    • National Volunteer Program (PC PPU 081)

Visitor experience program

This program provides visitors to national parks, national urban parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas with opportunities to enjoy and appreciate these places in safe and meaningful ways.

The program includes a range of activities, such as:

  • trip planning
  • reception
  • camping
  • accommodations
  • visitor safety
  • visitor services
  • interpretive activities
  • merchandise
  • compliance
  • support for visitor facilities
  • recreational activities
  • support for inclusive and accessible places.

This program supports the Government of Canada's outcome of "a vibrant Canadian culture and heritage".

  • National historic site, parks, urban park, heritage canal and marine conservation area facilities and activities (PC VE NHS FA 002)
  • National Historic Sites, National Parks, Urban Park, Marine Conservation Areas and Canada Heritage Canals Sites Visitor Management (PC VE NHS VM 004)
  • Parks Interpretive Products (PC VE NHS IP 001)
    • National Volunteer Program (PC PPU 081)
  • Parks Canada Visitor Safety (PC VE NHSP VS 005)
  • National Parks Visitor Permits and Registrations (PC VE NP VPR 009)
  • Stakeholder and Partner Engagement (PC PAU SPE 002)
  • Visitor Experience Research (PC PPS HPP VER 001)
  • Visitor Promotion (PC PPS HPP VP 002)

Heritage canals, highways and townsites management program

This program involves the management of infrastructure for Canadians and provides opportunities for socio-economic benefits to adjacent communities.

This program includes:

  • the operation, maintenance and improvement of the Trans-Canada and provincially numbered highways within national parks and a national historic site
  • water management activities
  • the management of bridge and dam infrastructure at heritage canals
  • the provision of municipal services to certain national park townsites
  • the management of related infrastructure.

This program supports the Government of Canada’s outcome of “a safe and secure Canada.”

  • Highway Management (PC TTI THM HM 001)
  • Highway Management Avalanche Control (PC TTI THM AC 002)
  • Highway Management Impact on Wildlife (PC TTI THM IW 004)
  • Highway Management Information and Outreach (PC TTI THM IO 005)
  • Highway Management Infrastructure Projects (PC TTI THM EP 003)
  • Highway Management Technical References (PC TTI THM TR 006)
  • Highway Operations and Maintenance (PC TTI THM OM 007)
  • Townsite Management – Infrastructure Projects (PC TTI TM EP 001)
  • Townsite Operations and Maintenance (PC TTI TM OM 004)
  • Townsite Management - Technical References (PC TTI TM TR 003)
  • Water Resources (PC TTI TWM WR 001)

Internal services

Internal services constitute groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are management and oversight services, communications services, legal services, human resources management services, financial management services, information management services, information technology services, real property services, materiel services, acquisition services, and travel and other administrative services. Internal services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.

These services are:

  • acquisition management services
  • communications services
  • financial management services
  • human resources management services
  • information management services
  • information technology services
  • legal services materiel management services
  • management and oversight services
  • real property management services
  • travel and other administrative services

Acquisition management services

Acquisition management services involve activities undertaken to support the acquisition of goods, services or construction services identified as necessary for a department to fulfill its ongoing mandate and purpose.

These activities include processing, monitoring and reporting, developing and implementing departmental policies and procedures, and activities that support the sound management of procurement contracts.

Communications services

Communications services involve activities undertaken to ensure that Government of Canada communications are effectively managed, well-coordinated and responsive to the diverse information needs of the public. These activities ensure that the public receives government information, and that the views and concerns of the public are taken into account in the planning, management and evaluation of policies, programs, services and initiatives. This Internal Services category refers to communications that are corporate in nature, affecting the entire department whether through internal communications to all employees or external communications on behalf of the department.

Financial management services

Financial management services involve activities undertaken in the department to ensure the prudent use and stewardship of financial resources in an effective, efficient and economic manner. Activities include planning, budgeting, accounting, costing, reporting, control and oversight, analysis, decision support and advice, and financial systems.

Human resources management services

Human resources management services include activities related to supporting human resources (HR) planning and reporting; reviewing, assessing and developing organizational design; reviewing and assessing job descriptions and classifications; supporting staffing processes; collecting and processing employee information related to compensation, leave and transfers; identifying and coordinating organization-wide training and learning requirements; promoting values, ethics and employment equity; managing employee recognition and awards programs; addressing workplace management and labour relations; and developing and maintaining HR information systems within the organization.

Information management services

Information management services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective information management to support program and service delivery; foster informed decision making; facilitate accountability, transparency, and collaboration; and preserve and ensure access to information and records for the benefit of present and future generations. Information management (IM) is the discipline that directs and supports effective and efficient management of information in an organization, from planning and systems development to disposal or long-term preservation.

Information technology services

Information technology services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective use of information technology (IT) to support government priorities and program delivery, to increase productivity and enhance services to the public. IT management activities includes planning, developing (or procuring), and operating IT computing, telecommunications, infrastructure and applications

Legal services

Legal services involve activities undertaken to enable government departments and agencies to pursue policy, program and service delivery priorities and objectives within a legally sound framework. Activities include the provision of the following services: legal advisory, litigation and legislative services.

Management and oversight services

Management and oversight services involve activities undertaken to ensure that federal government service operations and programs comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies and plans. Activities include providing strategic direction, governance and corporate planning; allocating resources and taking investment decisions; and analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures.

Material management services

Materiel management services involve activities undertaken to ensure that materiel can be managed by departments in a sustainable and financially responsible manner that supports the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs. Treasury Board’s Policy on Management of Materiel defines materiel as “all movable assets, excluding money or records, acquired by Her Majesty in right of Canada.” Movable assets are tangible and include a broad range of goods such as equipment (e.g., office, information technology, telecommunications, scientific), furniture and furnishings, and larger goods (e.g., vehicles and ships). Most materiel expenditures are specific program expenditures. However, as an Internal Services category, materiel management services include the expenditures from policy and administrative support for those who manage and dispose of materiel throughout the department.

Real property management services

Real property management services involve activities undertaken to ensure that real property (e.g., land, bridges, and buildings) is managed in a sustainable and financially responsible manner throughout its life cycle to support the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs. Most federal real property services are captured under specific program expenditures. As an Internal Services category, real property management services are limited to those expenditures associated with office accommodations that are not funded by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), as well as to expenditures for real property services. Also included in this category are the expenditures of any FTEs that provide real property policy advice to real property practitioners throughout the department.

Travel and other administrative services

Travel and other administrative services include Government of Canada travel services, as well as those other internal services that do not smoothly fit with any of the internal services categories.

Manuals

A list of Manuals pertaining to the management of Parks Canada Agency can be found here.

Additional information

Additional information is available on our ATIP page including information on:

The Government of Canada encourages the release of information through informal requests.

Mailing address:

Parks Canada National Office
30 Victoria Street
Gatineau, Quebec J8X 0B3
Canada

General Inquiries:

1-888-773-8888

General Inquiries (International):

1-819-420-9486

Teletypewriter (TTY):

1-866-787-6221

You may also wish to consult Parks Canada Agency's (PCA): Completed Access to Information Requests.

Reading room

In accordance with the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, an area on premises will be made available should the applicant wish to review material in person: Contact us at aiprp.atip@pc.gc.ca.

Organizational contact information

Parks Canada National Office
30 Victoria Street
Gatineau, Quebec
Canada
J8X 0B3

Email: information@pc.gc.ca

Telephone:888-773-8888 (General inquiries)

Telephone — international:819-420-9486 (General inquiries — international)

Teletypewriter:866-787-6221 (TTY)

Parks Canada Agency

Related links

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