Departmental Results Report
2022–23
Supplementary information tables
Table of contents
- Raison d’être
- Mandate and role
- Operating context
- Reporting on green procurement
- Details on transfer payment programs
- Gender-based Analysis Plus
- Response to audits conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (including audits conducted by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)
Raison d’être
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 ensure the ecological and commemorative integrity of these places for present and future generations. Canada’s national urban park, national parks, national historic sites, heritage canals and national marine conservation areas, of which Parks Canada is the proud steward, offer Canadians opportunities to visit, experience and personally connect with Canada’s rich natural and cultural heritage in ways that are meaningful to them. In carrying out its responsibilities, Parks Canada works in collaboration with the public, other federal departments, provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples and stakeholders.
Mandate and role
On behalf of the people of Canada, we protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure the ecological and commemorative integrity of these places for present and future generations.
For more information on the Agency’s organizational mandate letter commitments, see the Minister’s mandate letter.
Operating context
Parks Canada has operations across Canada. With responsibility for the management and administration of 171 national historic sites, including nine historic canals, 47 national parks, Rouge National Urban Park, and five national marine conservation areas.
As a highly operational organization, Parks Canada’s workforce is its strength and its employees are active in communities from coast to coast to coast. At peak season—between May and October—Parks Canada employs approximately 8,000 active employees, including over 3,600 temporary employees (terms, seasonal, and casuals) and approximately 1,800 students.
In addition to the corporate functions found in many other federal departments or agencies, Parks Canada employs individuals in various fields of work, such as ecosystem scientists, archaeologists, lock operators, interpreters, asset managers, community managers, wardens, planners, historians, and maintenance workers, among others. This wide variety of functions combined with Parks Canada’s geographically dispersed work locations and its substantial seasonal employee base creates a unique human resources environment for the organization.
National historic sites, national parks, national urban parks, and national marine conservation areas represent the very best of Canada. These treasured places are where Parks works to tell the diverse stories of Canada and honour the histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples.
The Government of Canada is also committed to achieving reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through a renewed, nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership. Parks Canada demonstrates leadership both nationally and internationally in its relations with Indigenous partners, working with hundreds of Indigenous communities across the country in the management of Parks Canada’s heritage places. There are currently more than 30 formal collaborative arrangements between Parks Canada and Indigenous partners. Of those places, 29 have cooperative management structures where Indigenous peoples influence decision-making. Parks Canada is committed to reconciliation and will continue to work with Indigenous partners to advance arrangements with Indigenous governments, organizations, and communities for decision-making roles in the management of heritage places.
The support and collaboration of Indigenous governments, organizations, and communities, as well as provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, are essential to Parks Canada’s ability to establish or expand national parks, national urban parks, and national marine conservation areas. The requirement to balance protection and ecologically sustainable use of national marine conservation areas involves a much broader stakeholder perspective to consider. Bringing together all of these elements and moving forward in a harmonious and positive way requires time and respectful discourse.
Environmental forces
Parks Canada’s heritage places are impacted by environmental forces including changes to:
- climate (e.g., increasing temperatures, changing precipitations, extreme wildfires and weather events)
- physical environment (e.g., air quality, water quality, ocean acidification, sea level rise, glacier retreat, habitat loss and fragmentation)
- biodiversity (e.g., ecosystem processes, increased number of species at risk, hyper abundant species and invasive species)
Climate change and other environmental forces challenge the integrity of ecosystems and the condition of Parks Canada’s cultural resources and contemporary infrastructure. Shoreline erosion at national historic sites, the arrival of invasive species at national parks, impacts on biodiversity, and the shrinking populations of species unable to adapt to variations in the ecosystems are a few examples of the effects of climate change. The increasing severity and frequency of disturbances such as wildfires, storms, floods, and avalanches also impact Parks Canada’s infrastructure, such as highways and bridges.
Parks Canada must protect its cultural and natural heritage places while encouraging visitation to ensure that these special places remain relevant in the hearts and minds of Canadians. As a world leader in conservation and in preserving the ecological integrity and cultural resources of its places for future generations, Parks Canada works to better manage visitation at locations that experience higher visitation rates, while continuing to ensure high-quality visitor experiences. To lessen impact, Parks Canada encourages visitors to seek out lesser-known parks and historic sites, enjoy little-known hidden gems, and explore shoulder season experiences in spring and fall.
Parks Canada welcomes more than 20 million visitors to national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas every year. This work not only helps Canadians to experience and enjoy the natural and cultural heritage of Canada, but it also helps to support local economies and the tourism industry. As Canada’s tourism sector recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Parks Canada’s role in welcoming visitors and providing rewarding experiences will be an important contributor to tourism recovery.
There are seven townsite communities in national parks, all located in western Canada. These townsites represent unique opportunities to demonstrate the overriding values of ecological integrity, environmental citizenship, and sustainable development. They provide visitors with opportunities to learn and develop personal connections to natural and cultural heritage from the comfort of a community and provide a launching pad for deeper ventures into national parks. They support ecological integrity by consolidating use and development to relatively small areas. National park townsite communities manage development in accordance with community plans and legislation; respecting their cultural and historical aspects and the ecological integrity of the surrounding park. In Banff and Jasper, commercial development limits are also used to manage growth along with eligible residency and fixed boundaries.
Using technology to improve visitor services
Parks Canada uses technology in a variety of ways to improve visitor services:
- reaching Canadians where they live and work through digital channels (web, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter));
- ensuring digital services for trip planning, purchasing admission and reserving accommodation; and,
- influencing visitation patterns: sharing visitor safety information and trail maps, promoting Canada’s heritage and conservation at the right time and with the right message.
Canada’s population is evolving. It is expected to become more culturally diverse over the next two decades as Canada continues to rely increasingly on immigration to support population growth and offset natural declines. With demographic changes and the rise of digital communications, the ways in which we tell stories and absorb information are being transformed. Parks Canada uses a wide variety of digital tools to complement the delivery of in-person services at natural heritage places and outreach programs in communities. Canadians can experience national historic sites, national marine conservation areas, and national parks through virtual tools and can also get behind the scenes with Parks Canada conservation specialists and other experts as they conduct their important work.
As the federal lead for cultural heritage places conservation, Parks Canada administers federal heritage designation and built heritage conservation programs on behalf of the Government of Canada. Federal custodian departments, Crown corporations, provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, and the broader heritage community play a major role in preserving Canada’s heritage places. Historic places are currently managed by policy frameworks, including the Standard and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada and Treasury Board policies. Work is currently underway to strengthen the protection of these nationally significant cultural heritage places. Protection of federally-owned historic places should be done in a manner that fosters their reuse and adaptation to climate change, contributing to a green and sustainable future for Canadians.
The need to better protect federal heritage properties and to strengthen heritage conservation and protection across Canada has been highlighted several times in recent years, including in the December 2021 mandate letter for the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the November 2018 Auditor General’s report, and the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development’s December 2017 report. The recommendations include the integration of Indigenous perspectives, better policy and legislative measures, and financial incentives. Parks Canada is working towards addressing the findings from these reports.
Parks Canada manages a complex portfolio of assets valued at approximately $27.68 billion (in 2022 dollars). The portfolio includes irreplaceable heritage structures, such as historic buildings, fortifications, historic canals, lighthouses, and Indigenous fish weirs, as well as contemporary buildings, highways, bridges, dams, and other holdings. Highways maintained by Parks Canada serve as critical socio-economic corridors enabling the flow of people and commercial goods. Along with heritage canals, highways additionally serve as vital links connecting Canadian communities.
Tracking the portfolio of built assets
Parks Canada continues to make progress on improving its infrastructure. In its 2022-23 Asset Report Card, 72% of the Agency’s built assets (by current replacement value) are in good to fair condition, compared to 69% the previous year.
Annual variations in the total built asset inventory are influenced by factors such as the establishment of new parks and sites (e.g., Rouge National Urban Park resulted in the addition of 375 assets)
Ensuring the long-term sustainability of Parks Canada’s asset portfolio is essential to the delivery of its mandate and to ensure that it can meet its custodial responsibilities on behalf of the Government of Canada. Among the recommendations of the Treasury Board Secretariat’s recent Horizontal Fixed Asset Review was the requirement for organizations to develop Real Property Portfolio Strategies (RPPS) that define an approach for maintaining a sustainable asset portfolio. Approved in 2021, Parks Canada’s RPPS establishes the long-term strategic direction and priorities for its real property portfolio to help direct investments and manage our capital assets sustainably and appropriately. The lack of sufficient ongoing funding to maintain its built heritage and contemporary assets puts the Agency at risk of not being able to deliver its mandate and of losing significant and irreplaceable examples of Canada’s cultural and built heritage.
The lack of sufficient ongoing funding to maintain its built heritage and contemporary assets puts Parks Canada at risk of not being able to deliver its mandate and of losing significant and irreplaceable examples of Canada’s cultural and built heritage. Furthermore, Parks Canada’s commitment to addressing government priorities for ensuring the accessibility and inclusiveness of its places for visitors, and for supporting the resiliency of its asset portfolio against the effects of climate change, places additional strain on existing resources and the Agency’s capacity to deliver and evolve Parks Canada’s programs and services. As such, efforts to make a long-term business case for ongoing funding remain a central priority for Parks Canada.
Reporting on green procurement
This supplementary information table supports reporting on green procurement activities in accordance with the Policy on Green Procurement.
Context
Parks Canada is bound by the Federal Sustainable Development Act but did not develop an optional 2022–23 DSDS Report. Instead, to comply with the reporting requirements under the Policy on Green Procurement for 2022 to 2023, the Reporting on Green Procurement supplementary information table was prepared and listed in the 2022–23 Departmental Results Report.
Commitments
| FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s) | Results achieved | Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actions supporting the Greening Government goal and the Policy on Green Procurement | Departments will use environmental criteria to reduce the environmental impact and ensure best value in government procurement decisions | From 2020 to 2023 Parks Canada will:
|
Starting points:12.3% of call-ups associated with Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements include environmental criteria as of March 2020. 3.37% of dollar value of expenditures associated with Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements include environmental criteria as of March 2020. The Agency does not currently track the percentage of centrally solicited procurement instruments that include environmental considerations in evaluation. Performance Indicators:Percentage of call-ups associated with Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements that include environmental criteria. Percentage of dollar value of expenditures associated with Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements that include environmental criteria. Percentage of new centrally solicited procurement instruments over $100,000 that include environmental considerations in their evaluation. Targets:20% of call-ups associated with Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements will include environmental criteria by March 2023. 5% of expenditures (dollar value) associated with Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements will include environmental criteria by March 2023. 20% of new centrally solicited procurement instruments over $100,000 will include environmental considerations (e.g. reduce, reuse, or include environmental criteria) in the evaluation criteria by March 2023. | 13.6% of call-ups associated with Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements include environmental criteria as of March 2023. 9.5% of dollar value of expenditures associated with Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements include environmental criteria as of March 2023. 26% of new centrally solicited procurement instruments over $100,000 included environmental considerations in 2022-23 |
FSDS:Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they deliver, and their supply chains. UN SDG Goal:Responsible Consumption and Production – Target 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities. |
| Departments will adopt clean technology and undertake clean technology demonstration projects | From 2020 to 2023 Parks Canada will:
| Starting points:Two clean technology innovations are currently being tested through the Innovative Solutions Canada Program. One proposal funded through the Greening Government Fund as of March 2020. Performance Indicators:Number of applicable innovations through the Innovative Solutions Canada Program. Percentage of innovative proposals funded under the Greening Government fund scheduled for completion are completed on time. Targets:Test six (6) applicable innovations through the Innovative Solutions Canada Program by 2023. 100% of innovative proposals funded under the Greening Government Fund that are scheduled for completion by 2023 are completed by that date. | In 2022-23, Parks Canada: Tested one (1) additional innovation (Firecraft Products Inc.) through the Innovative Solutions Canada Testing Stream Program, bringing the total number of innovations tested from 2020-23 to six (6): Zacxon Inc., Gradek Energy Inc., EXAR Studios Inc., Trident Pump Inc., Terragon Environmental Technologies Inc., Firecraft Products Inc. Sixty percent (60%) of five (5) innovative proposals funded under the Greening Government Fund that were scheduled for completion by 2023 have been completed. One (1) proposal has been rescheduled through a revised MOU and one (1) other proposal is currently in this process. Both rescheduled proposals have submitted progress reports with planned completion in 2024. | FSDS:Actions by individual departments that incent, support, or procure state-of-the-art innovative clean technologies that lower the environmental footprint of government operations while contributing to the success of clean-tech businesses in Canada. UN SDG Goal:Responsible Consumption and Production – Target 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities. | |
| Support for green procurement will be strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees | From 2020 to 2023 Parks Canada will:
| Starting point:100% of functional specialists in procurement have taken green procurement training as of March 2020. Training taken by executives and cost centre managers who are not procurement specialists is unknown. No Agency specific green procurement training, guidance, and templates are in use. Performance Indicators:Percentage of executives, cost centre managers and functional specialists in procurement and materiel management that have completed training on green procurement. Availability of Parks Canada specific green procurement guidance and templates for goods and services that are commonly acquired Targets:100% of executives, cost centre managers and functional specialists in procurement and materiel management will have completed training on green procurement by March 2023. Development and delivery of Parks Canada specific green procurement guidance and templates for goods and services that are commonly acquired are available by March 2023. | 100% of functional specialists in procurement have taken green procurement training as of March 2023. 54% of executives and cost centre managers have taken green procurement training as of March 2023. Green procurement guidance has been developed and some templates for commonly acquired goods and services have been developed. | FSDS:Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to green their goods, services and supply chain. UN SDG Goal:Responsible Consumption and Production – Target 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities. |
Report on integrating sustainable development
Parks Canada will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process. A SEA for a policy, plan or program proposal includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on relevant FSDS goals and targets.
Public statements on the results of Parks Canada’s assessments are made public on its website when an initiative has undergone a detailed SEA. 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.
Details on transfer payment programs
Transfer Payment Programs with total planned spending of $5 million or more
General Class Grants and Contributions Program (GCGCP)
- Start date
- 1995-96
- End date
- Ongoing
- Type of transfer payment
- Grant or Contribution
- Type of appropriation
- Appropriated annually through estimates
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions
- 2021-22
- Link to departmental result(s)
-
- Canada’s natural heritage is protected for future generations
- Canada’s cultural heritage is protected for future generations
- People connect to and experience Canada’s natural and cultural heritage in ways that are meaningful to them
- Link to the department’s Program Inventory
-
- Program: Heritage Places Establishment
- Program: Heritage Places Conservation
- Program: Heritage Places Promotion and Public Support
- Program: Visitor Experience
- Program: Heritage Canals, Highways and Townsite Management
- Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
- The objective of the program is to assist recipients in conducting activities and delivering projects that will support the Agency in fulfilling its mandate to preserve and protect nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage and present and foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure the ecological and commemorative integrity of these places for present and future generations.
- Results achieved
- Projects under the GCGCP achieved one or more of the following results:
- Canadians recognize, appreciate and are engaged in the values of natural and cultural conservation
- stakeholders are engaged in terms of interest and involvement of common objectives towards ecological or cultural integrity
- Parks Canada managers, partners and stakeholders have access to a better knowledge base for informed decision-making and dialogue on commercial, ecological or indigenous issues of mutual interest
- Findings of audits completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable.
- Findings of evaluations completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable. Next evaluation of the GCGCP planned in 2026-27.
- Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2022-23
- Not applicable
| Type of transfer payment | 2020–21 Actual spending | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Planned spending | 2022–23 Total authorities available for use | 2022–23 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2022–23 actual minus 2022–23 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 196,000 | 5,550,000 | 4,043,346 | 1,628,346 | -3,921,654 |
| Total contributions | 15,248,077 | 44,311,650 | 70,118,370 | 68,123,054 | 44,607,838 | -25,510,532 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 15,248,077 | 44,507,650 | 75,668,370 | 72,166,400 | 46,236,184 | -29,432,186 |
Explanation of variances
Variance is mainly due to the transfer of contributions to the New Parks and Historic Sites account as well as funds moved to future years.
Grant to implement the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement for the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site
- Start date
- 2022-23
- End date
- 2031-32
- Type of transfer payment
- Grant
- Type of appropriation
- Appropriated annually through estimates
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions
- 2022-23
- Link to departmental result(s)
- Canada’s cultural heritage is protected for future generations & People connect to and experience Canada’s natural and cultural heritage in ways that are meaningful to them
- Link to the department’s Program Inventory
- Program: Heritage Places Establishment
- Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
-
The Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement provides a one-time grant ($6,900,000) in year one of the ten-year Agreement to the Kitikmeot Inuit Association for the establishment of the following three Kitikmeot Inuit Association programs: Inuit Scholarship Fund; Inuit Business Opportunities Fund; and Inuit Culture and Heritage Fund. These three funding programs are direct benefits to Inuit as laid out in Nunavut Agreement Schedule 8-3 Matters Appropriate for Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreements in Relations to Parks, specifically: 1) Inuit Training at all levels; 4) Scholarships; and 6)(a) Business opportunities including provision of seed capital.
- Inuit Scholarship Fund ($500,000) which will be used to continue and expand their scholarship program to encourage and support Inuit students pursuing education at accredited post-secondary institutions related to training in Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, cultural, social and natural sciences, tourism and business administration.
- Inuit Business Opportunities Fund ($4,500,000) will support, among other business-related expenses: hotel and bed and breakfast expansions or renovations; developing or improving transportation options and infrastructure; outfitting; provision of cultural programming, arts and crafts services; hospitability industry opportunities; start-up funding; and insurance.
- Inuit Culture and Heritage Fund ($1,900,000) which will provide Inuit with funds to pursue research related to Inuit history and the expedition led by Captain Sir John Franklin (e.g., Inuit knowledge and oral history, archival research, cultural resource management capacity) and develop Inuit cultural activities related to the shipwrecks (e.g., Umiyaqtutt Festival).
- Results achieved
-
- Enhanced Inuit Scholarship Fund and provision of financial aid to Inuit students for post-secondary education.
- Establishment of an Inuit Business Opportunities Fund and provision of seed capital to Inuit firms to realize economic benefits related to the establishment and operation of the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site; and
- Establishment of an Inuit Cultural Heritage Fund to further Inuit-led research related to Inuit history and the expedition led by Captain Sir John Franklin and to develop and fund cultural activities with respect to the Site such as the Umiyaqtutt Festival in Gjoa Haven.
- Findings of audits completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable.
- Findings of evaluations completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable.
- Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2022-23
- Not applicable
| Type of transfer payment | 2020–21 Actual spending | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Planned spending | 2022–23 Total authorities available for use | 2022–23 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2022–23 actual minus 2022–23 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 6,900,000 | 6,900,000 | 6,900,000 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 0 | 0 | 6,900,000 | 6,900,000 | 6,900,000 | 0 |
Explanation of variances
Not applicable.
Grant to implement the Ndahecho Gondié Gháádé Agreement
- Start date
- 2022-23
- End date
- When the funds will be exhausted.
- Type of transfer payment
- Grant
- Type of appropriation
- Appropriated annually through estimates
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions
- 2019-20
- Link to departmental result(s)
- Canada’s natural heritage is protected for future generations & People connect to and experience Canada’s natural and cultural heritage in ways that are meaningful to them
- Link to the department’s Program Inventory
- Program: Heritage Places Establishment
- Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
-
The purpose of this grant is to fulfill a component of the Ndahecho Gondié Gháádé Agreement with the Nahʔą Dehé Dene and Dehcho First Nations regarding benefits and economic opportunities from the establishment, expansion, development, and operation of Nahanni National Park Reserve. The objective of the grant component of the Ndahecho Gondié Gháádé Agreement is to contribute significantly to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples by providing funding to: 1) support Nahʔą Dehé Dene members and businesses in offering tourism products and services in relation to Nahanni National Park Reserve and 2) provide a scholarship and capacity building fund for Nahʔą Dehé Dene and Dehcho First Nations members.
- Results achieved
- Enhanced participation of Nahʔą Dehé Dene members in tourism activities related to Nahanni National Park Reserve and increased direct and spin-off economic benefits in the Nahʔą Dehé Dene communities.
- Findings of audits completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable.
- Findings of evaluations completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable.
- Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2022-23
- Not applicable
| 2020–21 Actual spending | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Planned spending | 2022–23 Total authorities available for use | 2022–23 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2022–23 actual minus 2022–23 planned) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 7,500,000 | 7,000,000 | 7,000,000 | -500,000 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 0 | 0 | 7,500,000 | 7,000,000 | 7,000,000 | -500,000 |
Explanation of variances
Internal reallocation of funds to the General Class Grants and Contributions Program as funding is provided via a contribution agreement.
Renew and expand the Trans Canada Trail
- Start date
- 2022-2023
- End date
- 2026-2027
- Type of transfer payment
- Contribution
- Type of appropriation
- Appropriated annually through estimates
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions
- 2022-23
- Link to departmental result(s)
- People connect to and experience Canada’s natural and cultural heritage in ways that are meaningful to them
- Link to the department’s Program Inventory
- Program: Visitor Experience
- Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
- The contribution supports the renewal and expansion of the Trans Canada Trail, with the goal of maintaining and growing Canada’s trails network.
- Results achieved
Support to The Great Trail achieved one or more of the following results:
- The Great Trail is safe and accessible for trail users
- The Great Trail is enhanced through linkages with Indigenous communities and other trail networks
- Canadians are aware of The Great Trail and are inspired to discover their natural heritage
- Findings of audits completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable
- Findings of evaluations completed in 2022-23
-
The Trans Canada Trail (TCT) program was included in the evaluation of the General Class Grants and Contributions Program undertaken in 2021-22 and completed (final report) in 2022-23. The key finding of the evaluation is that the TCT contribution supports Government objectives for inclusion and accessibility. The detailed findings of the evaluation are as follow:
- continued need for program:
- the TCT is a multi use trail that links all of Canada’s provinces and territories
- its main purposes are to showcase Canada and the diversity of communities within it and create opportunities to learn about the natural and cultural heritage of Canada
- the completed network of trails currently links 15,000 communities and spans 24,400 kilometres, 18,271 kilometres of which are land based trails, and 6,139 kilometres of which are water routes
- four out of five Canadians live within 25 kilometres of the Trail
- alignment with government priorities:
- the TCT is improving access by funding projects that enhance the Trail, including maintenance and the addition of new accessibility features to 65 km of the Trail
- the agreement aligns with Parks Canada’s Departmental Results Framework through the departmental result “People connect to and experience Canada’s natural and cultural heritage in ways that are meaningful to them”
- effectiveness:
- narrative reports provide details of the progress towards expected outcomes, such as activities undertaken to maintain and enhance the Trail and overall results achieved from the contribution
- narrative reports provided details on project progress, describing activities conducted, results achieved the previous year and future plans
- financial reports included estimates of eligible costs, total project expenditures, and all eligible project expenditures incurred to date
- as outlined in the narrative and financial reports, projects funded by the TCT throughout the evaluation period could reasonably be considered to have supported the optimization of user experience and helped to ensure long term sustainability of the TCT
- efficiency:
- according to the reports reviewed, the contribution funds were disbursed as planned
- inancial reports provided evidence of concurrence between planned and actual expenditures
- Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2022-23
- Not applicable
| Type of transfer payment | 2020–21 Actual spending | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Planned spending | 2022–23 Total authorities available for use | 2022–23 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2022–23 actual minus 2022–23 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 7,500,000 | 7,500,000 | 0 | 9,000,000 | 9,000,000 | 9,000,000 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 7,500,000 | 7,500,000 | 0 | 9,000,000 | 9,000,000 | 9,000,000 |
Explanation of variance
Additional funding was received through the 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates.
Transfer Payment Programs with total planned spending of less than $5 million
Grants for the implementation of Rights and Reconciliation Agreements in Atlantic Canada
- Start date
- 2019-2020
- End date
- Ongoing
- Type of transfer payment
- Grant
- Type of appropriation
- Appropriated annually through estimates
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions
- 2019-2020
- Link to departmental result(s)
-
- Canada’s natural heritage is protected for future generations
- Canada’s cultural heritage is protected for future generations
- People connect to and experience Canada’s natural and cultural heritage in ways that are meaningful to them
- Link to the department’s Program Inventory
- Program: Heritage Places Conservation
- Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
- The objectives of these grants are 1) to support the Rights and Reconciliation Agreements signed by Parks Canada and the Indigenous Nations included in the Historic Peace and Friendship Treaties in Atlantic Canada (the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet and Peskotomuhkati Nations), 2) build capacity in Indigenous communities to participate with Parks Canada as co-managers of national parks and national historic sites, 3) foster re-connection with the lands through traditional stewardship practices and 4) protect Mi’kmaq, Maliseet and Peskotomuhkati culture and heritage.
- Results achieved
Grants for the Implementation of Rights and Reconciliation Agreements in Atlantic Canada achieved one or more of the following results:
- support the Rights and Reconciliation Agreements signed by Parks Canada and the Indigenous Nations included in the Historic Peace and Friendship Treaties in Atlantic Canada (the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet and Peskotomuhkati Nations)
- build capacity in Indigenous communities to participate with Parks Canada as co-managers of national parks and national historic sites
- foster re-connection with the lands through traditional stewardship practices
- protect Mi’kmaq, Maliseet and Peskotomuhkati culture and heritage
- Findings of audits completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable
- Findings of evaluations completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable
- Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2022-23
- Not applicable
| Type of transfer payment | 2020–21 Actual spending | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Planned spending | 2022–23 Total authorities available for use | 2022–23 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2022–23 actual minus 2022–23 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 10,899,300 | 10,899,300 | 566,466 | -10,332,834 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 0 | 0 | 10,899,300 | 10,899,300 | 566,466 | -10,332,834 |
Explanation of variances
Activity has been moved to future years.Grant to the International Peace Garden
- Start date
- 1996-97
- End date
- Ongoing
- Type of transfer payment
- Grant
- Type of appropriation
- Appropriated annually through estimates
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions
- 2011-12
- Link to departmental result(s)
- Canada’s cultural heritage is protected for future generations
- Link to the department’s Program Inventory
- Program: Heritage Places Conservation
- Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
- The purpose of this grant is to support the International Peace Garden, a memorial to the peace that has existed between the United States and Canada, located in Manitoba and North Dakota. The objective of the grant is to help defray the costs of operating the International Peace Garden.
- Results achieved
- Canada’s continued symbolic support for the Garden was demonstrated.
- Findings of audits completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable
- Findings of evaluations completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable
- Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2022-23
- Not applicable
| Type of transfer payment | 2020–21 Actual spending | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Planned spending | 2022–23 Total authorities available for use | 2022–23 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2022–23 actual minus 2022–23 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 22,700 | 22,700 | 22,700 | 22,700 | 22,700 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 22,700 | 22,700 | 22,700 | 22,700 | 22,700 | 0 |
Explanation of variances
Not applicable.
Inuit Research Fund
- Start date
- 2020-21
- End date
- 2025-26
- Type of transfer payment
- Grant
- Type of appropriation
- Appropriated annually through estimates
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions
- 2019-20
- Link to departmental result(s)
- Canada’s natural heritage is protected for future generations & People connect to and experience Canada’s natural and cultural heritage in ways that are meaningful to them
- Link to the department’s Program Inventory
- Program: Heritage Places Establishment
- Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
- The purpose of this grant is to fulfill a commitment made in the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement regarding benefits and economic opportunities stemming from the establishment, development, and operation of the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area. The objective is to provide for Inuit led research and monitoring in Tallurutiup Imanga, and to support the development of an Inuit Research and Monitoring Plan.
- Results achieved
- The Inuit Research Fund develops research capacity for Inuit to ensure that they will be able to identify and conduct research according to their own priorities. Inuit research and priorities are valued equally as Western science in research and monitoring for Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area.
- Findings of audits completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable.
- Findings of evaluations completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable.
- Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2022-23
- Not applicable
| Type of transfer payment | 2020–21 Actual spending | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Planned spending | 2022–23 Total authorities available for use | 2022–23 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2022–23 actual minus 2022–23 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Explanation of variances
Not applicable
National Cost-Sharing Program for Heritage Places
- Start date
- 2008-09
- End date
- Ongoing
- Type of transfer payment
- Contribution
- Type of appropriation
- Appropriated annually through estimates
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions
- 2016-17
- Link to departmental result(s)
- Canada’s cultural heritage is protected for future generations
- Link to the department’s Program Inventory
- Program: Heritage Places Conservation
- Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
- The Program assists recipients in conducting activities aimed at conserving the heritage value of non-federally-owned or -administered heritage places formally recognized by the Government of Canada. It provides financial contributions to eligible recipients to share the cost of work necessary to ensure the physical health of a heritage place and to ensure Canadians understand the importance of the site and its role in the history of Canada.
- Results achieved
- Cultural resources of national significance at heritage places recognized by the Government of Canada were maintained or improved.
- Findings of audits completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable.
- Findings of evaluations completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable.
- Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2022-23
-
- Promotion and outreach through internal national networks across the Agency to inform potential applicants and recipients;
- Communication with the Federal Provincial-Territorial Collaboration on Culture and Heritage and targeted heritage organizations/stakeholders to promote the program;
- Information shared via different social media channels and web presence on the Parks Canada website (www.parks.canada.ca) and www.historicplaces.ca; and
- Direct correspondence to inform newly eligible site owners of the program’s existence.
| Type of transfer payment | 2020–21 Actual spending | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Planned spending | 2022–23 Total authorities available for use | 2022–23 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2022–23 actual minus 2022–23 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 967,759 | 954,105 | 1,000,000 | 1,694,709 | 1,694,709 | 694,709 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 967,759 | 954,105 | 1,000,000 | 1,694,709 | 1,694,709 | 694,709 |
Explanation of variances
Internal reallocation of funds for this program.
Tallurutiup Imanga Inuit Stewardship Program Seed Fund
- Start date
- 2020-21
- End date
- 2025-26
- Type of transfer payment
- Grant
- Type of appropriation
- Appropriated annually through estimates
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions
- 2019-20
- Link to departmental result(s)
- Canada’s natural heritage is protected for future generations & People connect to and experience Canada’s natural and cultural heritage in ways that are meaningful to them
- Link to the department’s Program Inventory
- Program: Heritage Places Establishment
- Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
- The purpose of this grant is to fulfill a commitment made in the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement regarding benefits and economic opportunities stemming from the establishment, development and operation of the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area. The objective is to cover the start-up cost of an Inuit Stewardship program in the five communities associated with the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area. The program will support stewardship activities of Inuit within Tallurutiup Imanga that will make valuable contributions to the promotion of Inuit culture, well-being, the transmission of knowledge to youth, and the delivery of Inuit cultural, social, economic, health and conservation benefits.
- Results achieved
- The Stewardship Program supports Inuit involvement in conservation economy and collaborative management of Canada’s Natural and Cultural Heritage.
- Findings of audits completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable.
- Findings of evaluations completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable.
- Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2022-23
- Not applicable
| Type of transfer payment | 2020–21 Actual spending | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Planned spending | 2022–23 Total authorities available for use | 2022–23 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2022–23 actual minus 2022–23 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 2,400,000 | 3,100,000 | 3,600,000 | 3,600,000 | 3,600,000 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 2,400,000 | 3,100,000 | 3,600,000 | 3,600,000 | 3,600,000 | 0 |
Explanation of variances
Not applicable.
Work placements through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy
- Start date
- 2019-20
- End date
- 2025-26
- Type of transfer payment
- Contribution
- Type of appropriation
- Appropriated annually through estimates
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions
- 2019-20
- Link to departmental result(s)
- Canada’s natural heritage is protected for future generations & People connect to and experience Canada’s natural and cultural heritage in ways that are meaningful to them
- Link to the department’s Program Inventory
- Program: Heritage Places Promotion and Public Support
- Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
- To provide Canadian youth, with information, skills, supports, work experience and networks to help them prepare for and successfully transition to employment. These objectives are attained by supporting the needs of all youth, especially youth facing barriers to develop skills, knowledge and networks through education, skills development and meaningful work experiences.
- Results achieved
- A greater number of Canadian Youth were provided with meaningful employment as well as obtaining additional work skills.
- Findings of audits completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable.
- Findings of evaluations completed in 2022-23
- Not applicable.
- Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2022-23
- Not applicable
| Type of transfer payment | 2020–21 Actual spending | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Planned spending | 2022–23 Total authorities available for use | 2022–23 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2022–23 actual minus 2022–23 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 19,394,986 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 0 | 19,394,986 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Explanation of variances
Not applicable
Gender-based Analysis Plus
Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus capacity
- Governance
During 2022-23, Parks Canada continued advancing GBA Plus commitments across the organization. In 2022-23, Parks Canada in collaboration with external consultants undertook two major GBA Plus pilot projects:
- Gender and intersectional consideration analysis of the Province House National Historic Site (PHNHS) Exhibit. Guided by the Parks Canada Framework for History and Commemoration, the Exhibit Project Team has prioritized engagement with Indigenous, marginalized, or racialized communities in the development of the exhibit content and design. During the concept phase of the exhibit, focus groups and individual interviews were conducted to engage and seek feedback about the exhibit themes and stories. The resulting report presented rich, thoughtful, and very useful information which inspired the Exhibit Project Team to reconsider some aspects of the project. For example, the recommendation to establish a BIPOC writer’s group to work with the Content Development Team to write the text of the exhibit was immediately implemented.
Further analysis of the exhibit content and exhibit design, and the evaluation after installation will assist the PHNHS Exhibit Project Team, along with the contracted design and content development team, in making thoughtful evidence-based decisions regarding the development of the exhibits to ensure that multiple perspectives are reflected in the stories that will be shared, that those stories represent diverse experiences appropriately, and that all visitors are engaged and inspired by their experience. An additional key internal objective to create a Parks Canada specific GBA Plus case study for learning purposes is planned.
- Gender and intersectional consideration analysis of the National Uniform Program. This analysis focused on four key priority areas: the general offer; process for procurement; the wearing of pins; and governance and decision-making. The analysis consisted of three phases. Phase 1 involved information-gathering, including internal document review and meetings with Parks Canada Uniform staff and GBA Plus staff. Phase 2 included a mixed method approach to stakeholder engagement with consultations with equity-deserving staff groups Network Leads and National Uniform Committee, and a Parks Canada-wide survey to explore and identify strengths and barriers experienced by diverse uniform wearers in their interactions with Uniform Program. Phase 3 provided us with a final report and recommendations on four areas of scope: engagement, the general offer and procurement process, the wearing of pins, and governance and decision-making. An action plan will be developed to support findings outlined in the report.
- Gender and intersectional consideration analysis of the Province House National Historic Site (PHNHS) Exhibit. Guided by the Parks Canada Framework for History and Commemoration, the Exhibit Project Team has prioritized engagement with Indigenous, marginalized, or racialized communities in the development of the exhibit content and design. During the concept phase of the exhibit, focus groups and individual interviews were conducted to engage and seek feedback about the exhibit themes and stories. The resulting report presented rich, thoughtful, and very useful information which inspired the Exhibit Project Team to reconsider some aspects of the project. For example, the recommendation to establish a BIPOC writer’s group to work with the Content Development Team to write the text of the exhibit was immediately implemented.
- Training
- Starting in 2021-22, Introduction to GBA Plus training is now mandatory for executives and managers at Parks Canada. The Agency continues to encourage employees across the organization to complete the Introduction to GBA Plus training in its efforts to strengthen the implementation of GBA Plus into the development, implementation and monitoring of policies, programs, and initiatives.
- Evaluation
- In 2021-22, Parks Canada conducted an evaluation of its General Class Contribution Program including a GBA Plus lens that sought to examine how the Program’s processes impacted different recipient groups, including Indigenous governments and organizations. The final report outlining findings and recommendations will be published in 2022-23 and will support the Agency in its efforts to identify GBA Plus data gaps and further develop inclusive and equitable processes.
- Capacity
- Raising awareness on best practices is critical for the continuous success of GBA Plus implementation across the Agency. In 2021-22, Parks Canada GBA Plus team organized numerous events to bring awareness about GBA Plus best practices within and outside the organization. A guest speaker from Montreal Science Center presented how the organization integrated GBA Plus considerations in the development of an exhibit, with the overarching goal to create an inclusive experience that is representative of many diverse families. Lastly, in 2021-22, the GBA Plus team continue promoting the use of Strengthened GBA Plus tools (step-by-step guide, compendium, and quick reference guide) developed by the Department of Women and Gender Equality through several virtual presentations.
Section 2: Gender and diversity impacts, by program
- Core responsibility
- Protecting and presenting Canada’s natural and cultural heritage.
- Program name
- Heritage Canals, Highways and Townsites Management
- Program goals
- 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 and the management of bridge and dam infrastructure at heritage canals; and the provision of municipal services to certain national park townsites, and the management of related infrastructure. This program supports the Government of Canada’s outcome of “A safe and secure Canada.” The General Class Contribution Program is used to provide contribution funding.
- Target population
- All Canadians. Economic Segments - Infrastructure; Persons - General public; Provinces, Territories and Communities - Local and/or regional communities
Distributions of benefits
| Group | |
|---|---|
| By gender | Third group (Men) Third group (Women) |
| By income level | Low (Men) High (Men) |
| By age group | Second group (Youth) |
Key Program impacts* on Gender and diversity:
Other key program impacts
The Townsite Management within the Heritage Canals, Highways and Townsites Management Program provides community planning and management of commercial growth in all seven townsites and provision of municipal services and related infrastructure in the five townsites directly managed by Parks Canada: Field (Yoho NP), Wasagaming (Riding Mountain NP), Waskesiu (Prince Albert NP), and Waterton (Waterton Lakes NP). Banff and Jasper are incorporated, self-governed municipalities but Parks Canada maintains some control over municipal planning in these areas.
Townsite Management direct impacts the townsite residents and business operators. Depending on the townsite, in 2021, the population of year-round residents was estimated to range from about 150 people to more than 8,000 according to the latest Canadian Census (2021). The average townsites population distribution by gender is 49% woman and 51% men.
However, most residential leaseholders in most of these areas are seasonal (non-permanent) residents. These seasonal populations are significantly larger but specific numbers are difficult to confirm.
Supplementary information sources
2021 Canadian Census, Statistics Canada
GBA Plus data collection plan
In 2022-23, Parks Canada began to conduct a comprehensive review of its Program Inventory, including a review of program descriptions, expected results statements, performance indicators and methodologies to include disaggregated GBA Plus data into the data collection plans for some indicators.
While Parks Canada has been conducting assessment of differential impact of its programs, the proposed review aims to formally monitored impact on gender and diversity by program though the Program Information Profile mechanism. This comprehensive review is expected to be finalized by 2024-25 and will address current gap between GBA Plus data collection, planning, and reporting.
- Program name
- Heritage Places Conservation Program
- Program goals
- 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.
- Target population
- All Canadians. Environmental - Ecological systems and/or natural habitats; Environmental - Species at risk and/or invasive species; Non-Profit Institutions and Organizations - Heritage institutions
| Group | |
|---|---|
| By gender | Third group (Men) Third group (Women) |
| By income level | Low (Men) High (Women) |
| By age group | Second group (Youth) |
Other key program impacts on gender and diversity
Parks Canada’s National Cost-Sharing Program for Heritage Places Conservation helps ensure the protection of heritage places that have been formally recognized but are not administrated by the Government of Canada.
In 2021-22, about 60% of active recipients were local non-for-profit organizations. In 2023-24, special consideration will also be given to projects that seek to better represent the diversity and complexity of Canadian history, address the effects of climate change, or advance accessibility or inclusion at heritage places. As a pilot project in this round of funding and to support Indigenous-led conservation efforts at heritage places of importance to Indigenous peoples and to address current barriers to Indigenous recipients, projects which do not fully meet the normal program requirements may be considered.
The General Class Grants and Contributions Program (GCGCP) agreements supports all five Agency-level Programs at Parks Canada. Within the Heritage Place Conservation Program, the largest recipients by number of signed agreements in 2022-23 were Indigenous recipients (61%) and research and academic institutions (18%). By value of agreements, Indigenous recipients received 59% of the total funding and not-for-profit organizations received 28%. The largest number of agreements were signed with recipients located in British Columbia and it’s with recipients located in Ontario that the value of agreements in this program is the most important (26%).
The GCGCP is exploring the opportunity to further disaggregate data based on geographic distribution (rural and remote communities) to measure differential program impact and support program improvements.
Supplementary information sources
National Cost-Sharing Program for Heritage Places Conservation Program Data and General Class Grants and Contributions Program Data
GBA Plus data collection plan
In 2021-22, Parks Canada initiated a process to conduct a comprehensive review of its Program Inventory in 2022-23, including a review of program descriptions, expected results statements, performance indicators and methodologies to include disaggregated GBA Plus data into the data collection plans for some indicators.
While Parks Canada has been conducting assessment of differentiated impact of its programs, the proposed review aims to formally monitored impact on gender and diversity by program though the Program Information Profile mechanism. This comprehensive review is expected to be finalized by 2023-24, and will address current gap between GBA Plus data collection, planning, and reporting.
- Program name
- Heritage Places Establishment
- Program goals
- 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, national marine conservation areas, national historic sites, persons and events, and other designated heritage places, including world heritage sites.
- Target population
- Environmental - Ecological systems and/or natural habitats; Persons - General public; Non-Profit Institutions and Organizations - Heritage institutions
| Group | |
|---|---|
| By gender | Third group (Men) Third group (Women) |
| By income level | Low (Men) High (Women) |
| By age group | Second group (Youth) |
Other key program impacts on gender and diversity
The General Class Grants and Contributions Program (GCGCP) agreements supports all five Agency-level Programs at Parks Canada. Within the Heritage Places Establishment Program, the largest recipients by number of signed agreements and by value of agreements in 2022-23 were Indigenous recipients (64% of agreements signed and 85% of the total value). The largest number of agreements were signed with recipients located in British Columbia and Ontario, but it’s in Nunavut and Northwest Territories that the value of agreements signed is the most important, with respectively 31% and 16% of the total value.
The GCGCP is exploring the opportunity to further disaggregate data based on geographic distribution (rural and remote communities) to measure differential program impact and support program improvements.
Supplementary information sources
General Class Grants and Contributions Program Data
GBA Plus data collection plan
In 2021-22, Parks Canada initiated a process to conduct a comprehensive review of its Program Inventory in 2022-23, including a review of program descriptions, expected results statements, performance indicators and methodologies to include disaggregated GBA Plus data into the data collection plans for some indicators.
While Parks Canada has been conducting assessment of differential impact of its programs, the proposed review aims to formally monitored impact on gender and diversity by program though the Program Information Profile mechanism. This comprehensive review is expected to be finalized by 2023-24 and will address current gap between GBA Plus data collection, planning, and reporting.
- Program name
- Heritage Places Promotion and Public Support
- Program goals
- This program aims to strengthen awareness and appreciation of Canada's national parks, national historic sites, 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.
- Target population
- All Canadians. Persons - Immigrants and/or refugees; Persons-Tourists and/or foreign visitors; Low-income individuals and/or families
| Group | |
|---|---|
| By gender | Third group (Men) Third group (Women) |
| By income level | Low (Men) High (Women) |
| By age group | Second group (Youth) |
Other key program impacts on gender and diversity
The General Class Grants and Contributions Program (GCGCP) agreements supports all five Agency-level Programs at Parks Canada. Within the Heritage Places Promotion and Public Support Program, the largest recipients by number of signed agreements in 2022-23 were not-for-profit organizations (59%) and Indigenous recipients (30%). By value of agreements, not-for-profit organizations received 57% of the total funding and Indigenous recipients received 32%. The largest number of agreements were signed with recipients located in Ontario and it’s in British Columbia that the value of agreements signed in this program is the most important (44%).
The GCGCP is exploring the opportunity to further disaggregate data based on geographic distribution (rural and remote communities) to measure differential program impact and support program improvements.
Supplementary information sources
General Class Grants and Contributions Program Data
GBA Plus data collection plan
In 2021-22, Parks Canada initiated a process to conduct a comprehensive review of its Program Inventory in 2022-23, including a review of program descriptions, expected results statements, performance indicators and methodologies to include disaggregated GBA Plus data into the data collection plans for some indicators.
While Parks Canada has been conducting assessment of differential impact of its programs, the proposed review aims to formally monitored impact on gender and diversity by program though the Program Information Profile mechanism. This comprehensive review is expected to be finalized by 2023-24 and will address current gap between GBA Plus data collection, planning, and reporting.
- Program name
- Visitor Experience
- Program goals
- This program provides visitors to national 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, compliance, and support for visitor facilities. This program supports the Government of Canada's outcome of "A vibrant Canadian culture and heritage". The General Class Contribution Program is used to provide contribution funding.
- Target population
- All Canadians. Persons-General Public; Persons-Tourists and/or foreign visitors; Provinces, Territories and Communities - Local and/or regional communities
| Group | |
|---|---|
| By gender | Third group (Men) Third group (Women) |
| By income level | Low (Men) High (Women) |
| By age group | Second group (Youth) |
Other key program impacts on gender and diversity
The Learn-to camp Initiative within the Visitor Experience Program aims to remove barriers to enjoying Canada’s protected areas by developing activities targeted at families with young children and new Canadians living in urban centers.
Over 2020 and 2021, hybrid (in-person and online) Learn-to Camp programming had reached 23,800 participants and delivery of digital products such as videos, podcasts, digital workshops, and social media posts reached an estimated audience of 750,000 with awareness, engagement, and some skills transfer.
Parks Canada is exploring the possibility to collect new data from participants who take part in all activities that require registration to measure differential impact. Starting in 2022-23, data would be collected at the end of the activity through the Participant Experience Survey. This disaggregated data would allow Parks Canada to measure the differential and disproportionate impacts, if any, of the Learn-to Camp initiative on different groups of people.
The General Class Grants and Contributions Program (GCGCP) agreements supports all five Agency-level Programs at Parks Canada. Within the Visitor Experience Program, the largest recipients by number of signed agreements in 2022-23 were Indigenous recipients (47%) and not-for-profit organizations (39%). By value of agreements, Indigenous recipients received 44% of the total funding and not-for-profit organizations received 42%. The largest number of agreements were signed with recipients located in Ontario and British Columbia and for the value of the agreements, recipients in Ontario (54%) and Québec (16%) received most of the funds.
The GCGCP is exploring the opportunity to further disaggregate data based on geographic distribution (rural and remote communities) to measure differential program impact and support program improvements.
GBA Plus data collection plan
In 2021-22, Parks Canada initiated a process to conduct a comprehensive review of its Program Inventory in 2022-23, including a review of program descriptions, expected results statements, performance indicators and methodologies to include disaggregated GBA Plus data into the data collection plans for some indicators.
While Parks Canada has been conducting assessment of differential impact of its programs, the proposed review aims to formally monitored impact on gender and diversity by program though the Program Information Profile mechanism. This comprehensive review is expected to be finalized by 2023-24 and will address current gap between GBA Plus data collection, planning, and reporting.
In addition, starting 2022-23, Parks Canada will be further disaggregating datasets to measure Visitor Experience Program’s impact by differential factors. Data for the 2022-23 season will be used to identify differential impacts, if applicable, and results will be used to support program improvements.
Definitions
- Target population
- See Finance Canada definition of Target Group in the User Instructions for the GBA Plus Departmental Summary)
- Gender scale
-
- First group: Predominantly men (e.g. 80 per cent or more men)
- Second group: 60 per cent - 79 per cent men
- Third group: Broadly gender-balanced
- Forth group: 60 per cent - 79 per cent women
- Fifth group: Predominantly women (e.g. 80 per cent or more women)
- Income level scale
-
- First group: Strongly benefits low income individuals (Strongly progressive)
- Second group: Somewhat benefits low income individuals (Somewhat progressive)
- Third group: No significant distributional impacts
- Forth group: Somewhat benefits high income individuals (Somewhat regressive)
- Fifth group: Strongly benefits high income individuals (Strongly regressive)
- Age group scale
-
- First group: Primarily benefits youth, children and/or future generations
- Second group: No significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation between youth and seniors
- Third group: Primarily benefits seniors or the baby boom generation.
Response to audits conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (including audits conducted by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)
Report 9—Departmental progress in Implementing sustainable development strategies—Species at risk
This audit conducted by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development and published on October 4, 2022 provided an assessment on whether Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Parks Canada (PC) contributed to meeting the target of species at risk (SAR) under the Healthy Wildlife Populations goal in the 2019-2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS).
Overall, the audit found that the departments contributed to meeting the federal SAR target by identifying actions to contribute to the SAR target. However, there were missed opportunities to incorporate additional conservation and recovery activities to improve tracking and demonstrate progress. Additionally, some performance information was either missing or incomplete for most of the actions in the strategies. Furthermore, contributions toward the achievement the United Nations’ Goal 15 (Life on Land) were not reported on.
In response to this audit, Parks Canada's contributions to the recovery of individual species at risk will be better communicated through publicly available reports. Corresponding actions and performance indicators related to progress toward the recovery of species at risk will be included in Parks Canada's 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) and future progress reports. More linkages will be made between the multiple reports to communicate this information. Since the publication of this audit, Parks Canada has enhanced the information in its 2021-22 Departmental Results Report to clearly describe how its actions contribute to the United Nations Goal 15 (Life on Land) and will continue to do so in other relevant documents.
Organizational contact information
Parks Canada National Office
30 Victoria Street
Gatineau, Quebec
Canada
J8X 0B3
Telephone:888-773-8888 (General inquiries)
Telephone — international:819-420-9486 (General inquiries — international)
- Date modified :