My response to the 2023 Minister’s Round Table on Parks Canada

July 25th, 2023

Hello colleagues,

Today, I am delighted to share my response to the feedback we received throughout the 2023 Minister’s Round Table on Parks Canada. 

In January and February, we invited participants from across Canada to share their views on five main themes: Strengthening Accessibility, Indigenous Stewardship of Protected Heritage Places, Ecological Corridors, Parks Canada and Tourism, and Parks Canada and Greening. The insights we gained from discussions with rightsholders and stakeholders, as well as from the online contributions from the people of Canada, all reinforce the importance of our work.

We heard from Canadians who are passionate about national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas, and the need to preserve and share Canada’s natural and cultural heritage sites for present and future generations. We received thoughtful suggestions on weaving Indigenous and Western knowledge together, both to enhance connectivity between protected areas and to advance Indigenous stewardship more holistically across the country.

Participants also provided advice on tangible steps we can take to make Parks Canada administered places more accessible, diverse, and inclusive. They challenged us to lead by example in greening our operations, and in supporting a diverse and sustainable tourism offer that can benefit gateway communities and local Indigenous businesses.

In response to the thousands of contributions we received, I have outlined 13 actions that will help advance work in the five themes. I invite you to read the 2023 Minister’s Round Table on Parks Canada - Report and Response for further details. 

Providing occasions for greater collaboration is vital to our efforts to shape the future of Parks Canada. It is through your hard work and dedication that these 13 actions will be implemented, and I am grateful for all you do to help us rise to the challenge, now and into the future.

I would also like to thank all of you who contributed, directly or indirectly, to the great success of this year’s Minister’s Roundtable on Parks Canada.

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada