- © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Chief Executive Officer of the Parks Canada Agency, 2017
- Catalogue No.: R61-109E-PDF
- ISSN 2561-2409
Section 1: Context for the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
The 2016–19 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada's sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. In keeping with the objectives of the Act to integrate environmental, social and economic considerations into decision-making, and make such decisions more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the Parks Canada Agency supports reaching goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).
Section 2: Sustainable Development in Parks Canada Agency
Sustainable development is central to Parks Canada's mandate and vision. It is ingrained in all aspects of the Agency's activities from establishing and conserving national parks and national marine conservation areas to designating, commemorating and administering national historic sites. Parks Canada is committed to ensuring that Canada's treasured natural and cultural resources remain unimpaired for the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Parks Canada contributes to the FSDS through the following Goals:
FSDS Goal 2:
Low-carbon government - As part of the pan-Canadian framework on clean growth and climate change, Parks Canada has developed a Greening Operations Standard and Action Plan to provide strategic direction to ensure sustainable workplace operations that contribute to a low-carbon government.
FSDS Goal 6:
Healthy coasts and oceans - Parliament mandated, through the Parks Canada Agency Act and the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act, that Parks Canada establish a system of National marine conservation areas (NMCAs) representative of the diversity of Canada's 29 oceanic and Great Lakes marine regions. Parks Canada's role is to ensure the protection and ecologically sustainability of these NMCAs, facilitate unique experiences and an appreciation of marine heritage, and engage Canadians in the management of NMCAs.
FSDS Goal 8:
Sustainably managed lands and forests - Parks Canada has been entrusted to protect an increasing number of natural areas within a system of national parks that represents each of Canada's 39 natural terrestrial regions. Once established, Parks Canada' role is to manage these national parks in a manner that ensures their ecological integrity for present and future generations.
FSDS Goal 9:
Healthy wildlife populations - Parks Canada has a legal obligation to maintain or improve ecological integrity of national park ecosystems, while providing benefit and enjoyment to Canadians and international visitors. The Agency uses indicators to summarize and assess the ecological condition of the main ecosystems in each national park, i.e. forests, tundra, wetlands or freshwater. Using this information, Parks Canada identifies and conducts priority restoration initiatives for impaired ecosystems.
Parks Canada is committed to the protection and recovery of species at risk, many of which can be found within Parks Canada lands and waters. Parks Canada works to protect species at risk, along with their residences and habitat, and also supports and undertakes recovery activities to maintain or improve their conservation status.
FSDS Goal 12:
Connecting Canadians with nature - Parks Canada builds public awareness of and connection to the protected heritage places that it administers, as well as the natural and cultural resources in them. Through relevant and effective promotion and engagement initiatives, Parks Canada is working to strengthen Canadians' awareness and appreciation of their national protected heritage places and Parks Canada's important mandate to protect and present these places. By encouraging Canadians to visit these places, and in providing them with the information and means to enjoy them, Parks Canada allows more Canadians to experience the outdoors and learn about our heritage. These experiences can also lead to learning, personal growth and mental and physical health benefits. By strengthening the connection Canadians feel to their national heritage places, Parks Canada is helping to foster enthusiasm for Canada's natural and cultural heritage and create a culture of stewardship and care for these places and the environment more broadly.
FSDS Goal 13:
Safe and healthy communities - Parks Canada is responsible for 479 sites registered in the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory as of March 31, 2017. With funding from the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, the Agency undertakes risk reduction activities (through remediation and/or risk management) at federal contaminated sites under its responsibility. Efforts at remediating contaminated sites serves to protect the health of Canadians as well as the environment.
Section 3: Commitments for Parks Canada Agency
Low-Carbon Government
Responsible Minister: All ministers
| Low-Carbon Government FSDS target(s) |
FSDS Contributing Action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target | Starting point(s) where available, and your choice of performance indicators for departmental actions | Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce GHG emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve this reduction by 2025 | Improve the energy efficiency of our buildings/operations | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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By 2030, Parks Canada actions are intended to reduce GHG emissions in facilities by 28% relative to total Agency 2005 levels. | Starting Point: Total Agency GHG emissions from facilities and fleet in fiscal year 2005–06 (base year): [38.8] ktCO2e Total Agency GHG emissions from facilities and fleet in fiscal year 2016-17: [33.3] ktCO2e GHG emissions from facilities in fiscal year 2005–06(base year): = [27.4] ktCO2 GHG emissions from facilities in fiscal year 2016-17 = [20.8] ktCO2 Performance indicator: Percentage change in total Agency GHG emissions from facilities and fleet since 2005 levels. Percentage change in GHG emissions from facilities relative To combined total (facilities and fleet) Agency 2005 levels. |
Internal Services:
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| Modernize our fleet | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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By 2030, Parks Canada actions will contribute a reduction in fleet GHG emissions of 12% reduction relative to total Agency 2005 levels. | Starting Point: Total Agency GHG emissions from facilities and fleet in fiscal year 2005–06 (base year): [38.8] ktCO2 Total Agency GHG emissions from facilities and fleet in fiscal year 2016-17: [33.3] ktCO2 GHG emissions from fleet in fiscal year 2005–06 (base year): = [11.4] ktCO2 GHG emissions from fleet in fiscal year 2016-17 = [12.4] ktCO2 Performance indicator: Percentage change in total Agency GHG emissions from facilities and fleet relative to 2005 levels. Percentage change in GHG emissions from fleet relative to combined total (facilities and fleet) Agency 2005 levels. |
Internal Services
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| Support the transition to a low-carbon economy through green procurement | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to green their goods, services and supply chain. GHG emissions reductions, recyclable content and packaging are all areas of consideration in green procurement. | Starting Point: Number of key procurement officials that have facilitated green procurement through various activities and/or tools. in 2016-17 (base year): [7] Number of procurement decision makers that have completed training on green procurement in 2016-17 (base year): [35] Number of goods and services categories with specific green procurement targets in 2016-17 (base year): [3] Performance indicator: Percentage of key procurement officials that have facilitated green procurement through various activities and/or tools. Percentage of procurement decision makers that have completed training on green procurement. Percentage change in the number of goods and services with specific green procurement targets. |
Internal Services
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| Demonstrate innovative technologies | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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Actions that incent, support, or procure state-of-the-art clean environmental innovative technologies lower the environmental footprint of government operations while contributing to the success of clean-tech businesses in Canada. | Starting Point: Number of BCIP-funded clean environmental technologies tested across Agency facilities in 2016-17 (base year): [2] Performance indicator: Percentage change in the number of BCIP-sponsored clean environmental technologies tested. |
Internal Services
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| Promote sustainable travel practices | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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Actions taken to reduce the amount of business travel or switch to less GHG intensive modes of transportation, for both business travels and commuting, will reduce GHG emissions. | Starting Point: Number of videoconferencing facilities in fiscal year 2016–17 (base year): [72] Number of voluntary workplace Green Teams in fiscal year 2016–17 (base year): [2] Performance indicator:
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Internal Services
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| Understand climate change impacts and build resilience | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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Parks Canada will integrate climate change considerations into policy, programs, and operations to adapt to a changing climate, enhance the protection of public, assets and resources, and strengthen planning and decision-making. | Starting Point: A draft Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for the Agency has been developed to identify climate change risks. Number of PCA heritage sites that have been subject to PCA's site-specific climate change adaptation planning exercise. Performance indicator: Percent completion of a comprehensive assessment of climate change risks and mitigation measures (target of 100% completion by Fall 2019). Percentage of targeted PCA heritage sites which developed climate change adaptation plans (Target: 75% by 2020) |
This action will be coordinated by Program 2: Heritage Places Conservation, in collaboration with all other implicated Programs | |
| Improve transparency and accountability | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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N/A | N/A | Internal Services | |
| Develop policy for low-carbon government | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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N/A | N/A | Internal Services |
Healthy Coasts and Oceans
Coasts and oceans support healthy, resilient and productive ecosystems
Responsible Minister: Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
| Healthy Coasts and Oceans FSDS target(s) |
FSDS Contributing Action(s) | Corresponding/ departmental action(s) | Contribution/ by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target | Starting point(s)/ where available, and your choice of performance indicators for departmental actions | Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By 2020, 10% of coastal and marine areas are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures | Protect and manage marine and coastal areas | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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Parks Canada will work to protect marine and coastal areas in national marine conservation areas as a contribution to the government's commitment to protect 5 percent of the marine environment by 2017, and 10 percent by 2020. | Starting Point: As of March 31, 2016, the national marine conservation area system was 17 percent complete. The system includes four areas representing five of the 29 marine regions. Target(s)/performance indicator(s): Number of unrepresented regions with demonstrable progress towards establishing national marine conservation areas. [Target: 2 (annually)] |
Program 1: Heritage Places Establishment |
| Build our knowledge of coastal ecosystems, MPAs and fisheries | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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Parks Canada will continue efforts to maintain national marine conservation areas and contribute to effective area-based conservation measures by advancing knowledge of coastal and marine areas. | Starting Point: National marine conservation area monitoring plans are being implemented to help operating sites inform decision making and contribute condition assessments to future State of Canada's Natural and Historic Places Reports. Target(s)/performance indicator(s): Number of operating sites that contribute condition assessments to the State of Canada's Natural and Historic Places Report [Target: 4 by March 2021] |
Program 2: Heritage Places Conservation |
Sustainable Managed Lands and Forests
Lands and forests support biodiversity and provide a variety of ecosystem services for generations to come
Responsible Minister: Minister of Environment and Climate Change; Minister of Natural Resources
| Sustainably Managed Lands and Forests FSDS target(s) |
FSDS Contributing Action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target | Starting point(s) where available, and your choice of performance indicators for departmental actions | Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur |
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| By 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland water are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures | Conserve natural spaces | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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Parks Canada's will work to expand the national parks system which contributes to the conservations of lands and inland waters. | Starting Point: Currently, 30 of 39 of Canada's natural regions are represented by 46 national parks and national park reserves. Target(s)/performance indicator(s): Number of unrepresented regions with demonstrable progress towards establishing national parks. [Target: 2 annually] |
Program 1: Heritage Places Establishment |
| By 2019, the condition of 90% of ecological integrity indicators in national parks is maintained or improved | Conserve natural spaces | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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Parks Canada's will support the maintenance and improvement of the ecological integrity in national parks through protection, conservation, restoration or mitigation activities. | Starting point: 90% of indicators in national park monitoring plans consider the condition as maintained or improved. Target(s)/performance indicator(s): Percentage of indicators in national park monitoring plans for which condition is maintained or improved. [Target: 90% annually] |
Program 2: Heritage Places Conservation |
Healthy Wildlife Populations
All species have healthy and viable populations
Responsible Minister: Minister of Environment and Climate Change
| Healthy Wildlife Populations FSDS target(s) |
FSDS Contributing Action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target | Starting point(s) where available, and your choice of performance indicators for departmental actions | Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur |
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| By 2020, species that are secure remain secure, and populations of species at risk listed under federal law exhibit trends that are consistent with recovery strategies and management plans | Use legislation and regulations to protect species at risk and migratory birds | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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Parks Canada works to protect species at risk found in heritage places, along with their residences and habitat, and also supports and undertakes recovery activities to maintain or improve their conservation status. |
Starting point: As of 2016, Parks Canada had completed seven multi-species action plans for parks with five or more species at risk. With the completion of that target, the current focus is on parks with three or more species at risk. Target(s)/performance indicator(s): Number of action plans for national parks with 3 or more species at risk. [Target: 16 by March 2018] |
Program 2: Heritage Places Conservation |
Connecting Canadians with Nature
Canadians are informed about the value of nature, experiencing nature first hand, and actively engaged in its stewardship
Responsible Minister: Minister of Environment and Climate Change
| Connecting Canadians with Nature FSDS target(s) |
FSDS Contributing Action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target | Starting point(s) where available, and your choice of performance indicators for departmental actions | Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By 2020, maintain or increase the number of Canadians that get out into nature – for example, by visiting parks and green space – and increase participation in biodiversity conservation activities relative to a 2010 baseline | Promote public participation | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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In 2017 and beyond, the Agency will implement strategies to ensure targeted audiences, such as youth, newcomers and urban audiences are inspired to visit and connect. | Starting point: As of 2016-17, Parks Canada reached 11.5 million Canadians through outreach and multimedia initiatives. Target(s)/performance indicator(s): Increase the reach (media views and impressions and connections at outreach events) of Parks Canada's administered places [Target: 10% by March 2018] |
Program 3: Heritage Places Promotion and Public Support |
| Enhance programs and services for visitors | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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To fulfill the Government of Canada's priority to have more Canadians experience and learn about the environment and their heritage places, Parks Canada will develop and innovate its programs and ervices. |
Starting Point: 2016, there were 24.7 million visits to Parks Canada administered places Target(s)/performance indicator(s): Increase in the number of visits at Parks Canada administered places. [Target: 2% (annually)] |
Program 4: Visitor Experience |
Safe and Healthy Communities
All Canadians live in clean, sustainable communities that contribute to their health and well-being
Responsible Minister: Minister of Environment and Climate Change; Minister of Health
| Safe and Healthy Communities FSDS target(s) |
FSDS Contributing Action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target | Starting point(s) where available, and your choice of performance indicators for departmental actions | Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur |
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| By 2020, address the 4,300 substances identified as priorities for action under the Chemicals Management Plan | Demonstrate leadership on assessing and remediating contaminated sites | In 2017-18, Parks Canada will:
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Assessment at federal contaminated sites reduces uncertainty associated with the risk from these sites. Subsequent remedial or risk management actions reduce the associated risk and financial liabilities. It is anticipated that up to 95% of FCSAP remediation expenditures contribute to reducing financial liability. | Starting Points: Number of FCSAP-funded high-priority sites where FCSAP-funded risk reduction activities have been completed by 2016-17 (base year): [2] Target(s)/performance indicator(s):
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Internal Services P2 – Heritage Places Conservation |
Section 4: Integrating sustainable development
Parks Canada takes an integrated approach in managing its protected heritage places, including national parks, national historic sites, national marine conservation areas, and national urban parks. For example, Parks Canada carries out conservation and restoration projects in all of these places. These projects are designed in a manner that ensures the conservation of natural and cultural resources, while enhancing visitor experiences and engaging key audiences with a view to connecting Canadians to their heritage places. 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.
Parks Canada’s decision making and sustainable development practices include collaborating with groups that share its values and have an interest in its work. The establishment of national parks and national marine conservation areas, for example, requires early and ongoing engagement and consultation with provincial/territorial governments and Indigenous Peoples. The designation and commemoration of persons, places and events of national historic significance equally demand the active participation of stakeholders, partners and community groups. The Agency recognizes that building and maintaining these collaborative relationships is essential to achieving its mandate of protecting and presenting Canada’s natural and cultural heritage and broader goals of sustainable development.
Parks Canada is custodian on behalf of the Government of Canada of many historic structures. Through sustainable maintenance and conservation actions, the Agency sees it is upholding not only mandated heritage conservation policy objectives, but also helping to achieve various environmental objectives including waste reduction and limiting greenhouse gas emissions throughout the life-cycle of its assets.
Moreover, Parks Canada promotes sustainable development practices by encouraging the use of analytical techniques that compare and integrate environmental, social, and economic objectives and that address multi-year or long-term concerns. For example, the Agency uses social science analytical and performance measurement tools to understand and engage Canadians, particularly certain segments of the population (e.g. urban, youth, new Canadians), in meaningful ways to ensure that its heritage places remain relevant for present and future generations.
Strategic environmental assessment
Parks Canada will continue to ensure that its decision-making processes include consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its SEA process. An SEA for policy, plan or program proposals includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on FSDS goals and targets.
Statements on the results of Parks Canada Agency’s assessments are made public when an initiative that has undergone a detailed SEA is announced (visit the Strategic environmental assessment web site). The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that the environmental effects, including the impacts on achieving the FSDS goals and targets, of the approved policy, plan or program, have been considered during proposal development and decision making.