Parks Canada

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Parks Canada (now also known as the Parks Canada Agency) is a Canadian government agency that is mandated to protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage and foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations.<ref name="annualreport">Parks Canada Agency Annual Report, 2003-2004. Parks Canada. Retrieved on 2006-07-18.</ref> Parks Canada manages 42 national parks, two National Marine Conservation Areas and 155 National Historic Sites.

1 History
2 Organization
3 See also
4 References
5 External link

[edit] History

Parks Canada was established in 1911 as the Dominion Parks Branch under the Department of the Interior, becoming the world's first national park service. Since then it has been formerly known as the National Parks Branch, and the Canadian Parks Service. Parks Canada activities are regulated under the provisions of the National Parks Act, which was enacted in 1930, and amended in 1988.

[edit] Organization

Also known as the Parks Canada Agency since its establishment as a separate service agency in 1998, Parks Canada now falls under the responsibility of Environment Canada. Before 2003, Parks Canada (under this and various names) fell under the jurisdiction of the Department of Canadian Heritage, where it was since 1994. From 1979 to 1994, Parks Canada was part of the Department of Environment, and before it has been part of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs (1966 to 1978), and the Department of the Interior.<ref name="hildebrant-1995">Hildebrandt, Walter (1995). "Historical Analysis of Parks Canada and Banff National Park, 1968-1995". Banff-Bow Valley Study. </ref> With the organizational shifts and political leadership in Canada, the priorities of Parks Canada have shifted over the years more towards conservation and away from development.<ref name="hildebrant-1995"/> Starting in the 1960s, Parks Canada has also moved to decentralize its operations.<ref name="hildebrant-1995"/>

Parks Canada is currently headed by Alan Latourelle.<ref>CEO's Message. Parks Canada. Retrieved on 2006-07-18.</ref> As of 2004, the annual budget for Parks Canada is approximately $500 million, and the agency has 4,000 employees.<ref name="annualreport"/>