An incredibly vast and geographically diverse country, Canada is full of stunning landscapes that provide unique experiences. From the coasts of our Atlantic provinces to the rainforests of British Columbia, the land boasts incredible wildlife and natural and cultural heritage sites that play an important role in the lives of Canadians.

This winter, Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, is asking Canadians to weigh in on the future of our national historic sites, parks, and marine conservation areas. Held every two years, the Minister’s Round Table on Parks Canada provides an opportunity for the federal agency that manages the network of 171 national historic sites, 47 national parks, and five national marine conservation areas the opportunity to hear valuable insights from the public. If you have an opinion on issues of importance to the conservation and enjoyment of national places, now is the time to speak up.

Accessibility mat at Penouille Beach, Forillon National Park. (Credit : Roger St-Laurent, Photographer) (CNW Group/Parks Canada)

For 2023, the round table will focus on five main themes:

• Strengthening Accessibility: Ensuring sites are usable for as many people as possible and that everyone has the opportunity to meaningfully experience national heritage places in Canada. This includes access to trails, campgrounds and visitor centres as well as historic sites such as lighthouses, fortifications, and waterways.
• Indigenous Stewardship of Protected Heritage Places: Advancing Indigenous leadership and honouring the relationships between Parks Canada, Indigenous peoples, and the lands, waters, and ice that are administered as part of its system of protected heritage places.
• Ecological Corridors: Connecting protected and conserved places in ways that weave Indigenous knowledge into these efforts and all other aspects of its work.
• Parks Canada and Tourism Recovery: Parks Canada’s role in the recovery and growth of Canada’s dynamic tourism sector.
• Greening Parks Canada Operations: Achieving net zero emissions in Parks Canada operations.

“National historic sites, parks and marine conservation areas are valued by all Canadians and are an important part of responding to the challenges of climate change and declining biodiversity,” said Minister Guilbeault. “I encourage everyone to consider how they can participate in this upcoming consultation to share their perspectives with Parks Canada on how we can achieve our shared goals in protecting treasured natural and cultural heritage places.”

Everyone living in Canada, including youth and newcomers, are invited to participate. During the previous roundtable held in 2020, more than 13,000 participants shared their perspectives on a variety of topics relating to Parks Canada.

How to participate

If you want to have your say about the future of our national parks, the public consultation will take place from January 30 to February 13, 2023 through the letstalkparkscanada.ca website. Before January 30, you can register to participate and will receive a reminder email letting you know that the consultation is open.