2020 Round Table on Parks Canada

Minister’s Response

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, presented his response to feedback received through the 2020 Minister’s Round Table on Parks Canada, which was held last fall.

The Minister’s Round Table takes place every two years and provides an opportunity for Canadians to share their perspectives and help shape the future of Parks Canada and our country’s most treasured places.

In October of last year, Canadians were invited to share their views on five themes relevant to the work of Parks Canada:

• Urban Parks;
• Ecological Corridors;
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility;
• Indigenous Leadership in Conservation; and
• Protecting our Cultural Heritage.

Over 13,000 people from across the country, including representatives of national Indigenous organizations and over 60 stakeholder organizations took part in the consultation, making this the largest engagement ever received for a Parks Canada Minister’s Round Table.

In response to the thousands of contributions received, 12 action areas were outlined. These actions will help Canada move forward on our collective efforts to protect 25% of lands and waters by 2025 and facilitate Parks Canada’s leadership in natural and cultural heritage conservation and promotion. This includes the Agency’s work on ecological connectivity and urban conservation, as well as supporting reconciliation and the leadership of Indigenous peoples in the conservation and stewardship of natural and cultural heritage. In addition, these actions will help further the protection of historic buildings and heritage places, including through strengthened legislation, and ensure that the stories of Canada’s history are told from diverse perspectives. Finally, they will help to advance the Agency’s commitment to make national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas even more welcoming and accessible to all Canadians.

The details on the action areas identified and what was heard during the consultation can be found in the 2020 Minister’s Round Table on Parks Canada - Report and Response.

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