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ARCHIVED - RPP 2007-2008
Parks Canada


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Section III: Financial Information and Tables

Source of Funds 2007-2008

Source of Funds

Alignment to Government of Canada Outcome Areas

The Agency program activities align with Government of Canada outcome areas as follows in Figure 14.

Figure 14: Agency Links to Government of Canada Outcome Areas (in thousands of dollars)


2007-2008
Program Acivity Budgetary Total Main Estimate Adjustments (planned spending not in Main Estimate) Total Planned Spending
Operating Capital Grants and Contributions
1. Establish Heritage Places
23,845 781 23 24,649 336 24,985
2. Conserve Heritage Resources 170,446 21,781 6,865 199,092 7,803 206,895
3. Promote Public Appreciation
and Understanding
24,853 9,172 189 34,214 16 34,230
4. Enhance Visitor Experience 228,851 38,355 0 267,206 121 267,327
5. Townsite Management 8,127 4,532 0 12,659 5 12,664
6. Throughway Management 26,002 35,506 0 61,508 27 61,535
Total 482,124 110,127 7,077 599,328 8,308 607,636

Due to rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown


Program Activity Link to Government of Canada Outcome Area
1. Establish Heritage Places.
 
  • national parks and national marine conservation areas Clean and healthy environment
  • national historic sites Vibrant Canadian culture and heritage
2. Conserve Heritage Resources.  
  • ecological integrity of national parks and sustainability of national marine conservation areas Clean and healthy environment
  • commemorative integrity of cultural resources Vibrant Canadian culture and heritage
3. Promote Public Appreciation and Understanding. Vibrant Canadian culture and heritage.
4. Enhance Visitor Experience Vibrant Canadian culture and heritage.
5. Townsite Management Safe and secure communities
6. Throughway Management  
  • highways Strong economic growth
  • historic waterways Vibrant Canadian culture and heritage

TABLE 1: AGENCY PLANNED SPENDING AND FULL TIME EQUIVALENTS
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)


  Forecast Spending 2006 - 2007 Planned Spending 2007-2008 Planned Spending 2008-2009 Planned Spending 2009-2010 Planned Spending 2010-2011 Planned Spending 2011-2012
Establish Heritage Places 26,090 24,649 24,078 23,718 23,718 23,718
Conserve Heritage Resources 215,622 199,092 202,604 208,299 208,299 208,299
Promote Public Appreciation and Understanding 68,081 34,214 27,631 28,817 28,817 28,817
Enhance Visitor Experience 196,804 267,206 272,721 277,742 277,742 277,742
Townsite Management 12,775 12,659 12,775 12,983 12,983 12,983
Throughway Management 58,682 61,508 62,633 55,873 50,873 50,873

Total Main Estimates

 

578,054 599,328 602,443 607,433 602,433 602,433
Adjustments:
Carry Forward from 2005-2006 42,826          
Supplementary Estimates A:
Funding for the settlement of litigation due to the nature and scope of Parks Canada’s operations 6,587          
Funding to support the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City in 2008 (horizontal item) 3,599          
Compensation for salary adjustments (horizontal item) 1,520          
Funding related to the assessment, management and remediation of federal contaminated sites (horizontal item) 1,358          
Funding for the continuing implementation of the Historic Places Initiative which aims to conserve and celebrate Canada’s historic places 1,000          
Funding for a settlement agreement with the Deh Cho First Nation that provides direction for land, resource and governance negotiations under the Deh Cho Process and which cooperatively resolves issues related to the review of the Mackenzie Gas Project 233          
Less: 2006 Expenditure Restraint -3,045          
Less: Spending authorities available within the Vote -3,025          
Less: 2005 Expenditure Review Committee Savings – Procurement -2,690          
Transfer from Canadian Heritage – For the policy activities related to Parks Canada as a result of government restructuring 800          
Transfer from Canadian Heritage – In support of activities to advance the creation of cultural content on-line and other digitization projects (Canadian Culture On-Line Program) (horizontal item) 474          
Transfer from National Defence – For investments in search and rescue coordination initiatives across Canada (horizontal item) 269          
Transfer from National Defence – For the transfer of land located at 57B St. Louis in Quebec City 74          
Supplementary Estimates B:
Funding for costs associated to upgrading a section of the Trans-Canada Highway from a two-lane undivided highway to a four-lane divided highway in Banff National Park in order to improve public safety and accommodate the increased volume in commercial as well as tourist traffic 5,000          
Funding for costs of suppressing wildfires within the boundaries of Parks Canada properties to minimize the risk associated to public safety and loss of infrastructure and private property. 7,680          
Less: 2006 Expenditure Restraint -875          
Transfer from Treasury Board Secretariat – Funding to help defray the costs associated to a feasibility study for the construction and operation of a Parks Canada Discovery Centre in Lake Ontario Park 863          
Other
TB Vote 5 5,309          
TB Vote 15 2,271          
Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) 1,149          
Internal Audit – TB Vote 10 96 268        
Delivering Results under the Species at Risk Act



  6,586 6,586 6,586 6,586 6,586
Beyond Powley: Management of Métis Aboriginal Rights   1,129        
Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement   325 75 75 75 75
Total Adjustments 71,473 8,308 6,661 6,661 6,661 6,661
Total Planned Spending 649,527 607,636 609,104 614,094 609,094 609,094
Total Planned Spending 649,527 607,636 609,104 614,094 609,094 609,094
Plus: Cost of services received without charge 38,311 38,902 38,960 39,029 39,157 39,235
Net Cost of Program 687,838 646,538 648,064 653,123 648,251 648,329
Full Time Equivalents 4,200 4,161 4,161 4,153 4,153 4,153

Due to rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown

TABLE 2: VOTED AND STATUTORY ITEMS
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)


Voted or Statutory Items Truncated Vote or Statutory Wording 2007-2008 Main Estimates 2006-2007 Main Estimates
25
Program expenditures 447,022 428,730
30 Payment to the New Parks and Historic Sites Account 2,300 3,000
(S) Expenditures equivalent to revenues resulting from the conduct of operations pursuant to section 20 of the Parks Canada Agency Act 104,000 100,000
(S) Contributions to employee benefit plans 46,006 46,324
  Total Agency 599,328 578,054

TABLE 3: SERVICES RECEIVED WITHOUT CHARGE
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)


2007-2008
Contributions covering employers’ share of employees’ insurance premiums and expenditures paid by TBS 17,408
Accommodation provided by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) 15,513
Services provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage for information management, information technology, finance, human resources and administrative support 3,864
Salary and associated expenditures of legal services provided by Justice Canada 1,130
Audit services provided by the Office of the Auditor General 530
Workers compensation coverage provided by Social Development Canada 457
Total 2007-2008 Services received without charge 38,902

Due to rounding, figures may not add up to totals show

TABLE 4: SUMMARY OF CAPITAL SPENDING BY PROGRAM ACTIVITY (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)


 

Forecast
Spending
2006-2007

Planned
Spending
2007-2008

Planned
Spending
2008-2009
Planned
Spending
2009-20010
Planned
Spending
2010-2011
Planned
Spending
2011-2012
Establish Heritage Places 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000
Conserve Heritage Resources
16,620 21,781 25,340 31,272 31,272 31,272
Promote Public Appreciation and Understanding 10,312 9,172 3,411 4,739 4,739 4,739
Enhance Visitor Experience 35,488 55,356 62,054 67,170 67,170 67,170
Townsite Management 4,350 4,532 4,657 4,865 4,865 4,865
Throughway Management 45,014 35,506 36,650 29,890 24,890 24,890
Total 112,784 127,346 133,111 138,935 133,935 133,935

Due to rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown

TABLE 5: SOURCES OF RESPENDABLE REVENUE
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)


 

Forecast
Spending
2006-2007

Planned
Spending
2007-2008

Planned
Spending
2008-2009
Planned
Spending
2009-20010
Planned
Spending
2010-2011
Planned
Spending
2011-2012
Promote Public Appreciation and Understanding
           
Heritage Presentation Programs
827 849 935 935 935 935
  827 849 935 935 935 935
             
Enhance Visitor Experience            
Entrance Fees 43,900 45,180 50,300 50,300 50,300 50,300
Camping Fees 17,611 18,131 20,211 20,211 20,211 20,211
Lockage and Mooring Fees 2,648 2,728 3,048 3,048 3,048 3,048
Pools 3,603 3,603 3,603 3,603 3,603 3,603
Other Recreational Fees
3,769 3,867 4,261 4,261 4,261 4,261
  71,531 73,509 81,423 81,423 81,423 81,423
             
Townsite Management            
Municipal Service Fees 2,676 2,676 2,676 2,676 2,676 2,676
  2,676 2,676 2,676 2,676 2,676 2,676
             
Other Revenue            
Real Property and Business Fees 17,614 17,614 17,614 17,614 17,614 17,614
Miscellaneous
7,352 9,352 8,352 8,352 8,352 8,352
  24,966 26,966 25,966 25,966 25,966 25,966
Total Respendable Revenues 100,000 104,000 111,000 111,000 111,000 111,000

Due to rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown

TABLE 6: PLANNED USER FEE ACTIVITIES FOR NEW OR AMENDED FEES


Name of User Fee Fee Type Fee Setting Authority 1 Reason for Planned Fee Introduction of Amendment to Fee Effective date of planned change Complete/Planned Consultation & Review Process

National Park and National Historic Site Entry Fees – Approved (Amended).

Riding Mountain (Daily Adult) e.g. $6.90 to $7.90

Service

 

Parks Canada Agency Act Rebuild or replace deteriorated visitor facilities using new revenues from fee increases. 2007/08,
2008/09
Four-year fee strategy was approved in June 2005.
Prior to being approved, this strategy was subject to consultations carried out between November 2003 and February 2004, and was tabled in Parliament as required by the User Fees Act.
The fee increases approved for 2005/06 and 2006/07 have been implemented. Remaining increases will be implemented in 2007/08 and 2008/09.
As all Parks Canada fees are tax inclusive; the Agency completed a program wide reduction of 1% GST effective July 1, 2006 in response to government direction.

National Park Camping Fees – Approved (Amended).

Front Country Camping
e.g. $24.75 to $25.75

Service Parks Canada Agency Act As above 2007/08,
2008/09

Historic Canal Lockage Fees – Approved (Amended).

One Day Lockage
e.g. $1.55 to $1.65 (per foot of boat length)

Service Parks Canada Agency Act As above 2008/09

National Park and National Historic Site Recreation Fees

Approved (Amended).
Cross Country Skiing
e.g. $6.90 to $7.90 (Daily Adult)

Service Parks Canada Agency Act As above 2007/08,
2008/09

Fishing License Fees – Approved (Amended).

Seasonal e.g. $34.65 (at maximum in 2007)

Rights and Privileges Parks Canada Agency Act To earn a fair return for the use of publicly owned resources and use the associated revenue to rebuild visitor facilities. 2007/08,
2008/09

Hot Pool Fees – Proposed (Amended).

Radium Hot Springs
e.g. $6.40 to $8.50 (Daily Adult)

Service Parks Canada Agency Act Maintain current level of service using new revenues from fee increases. 2007/08,
2008/09,
2009/10
Consultations on a four-year fee
were completed in the fall of 2005. A focused three-pronged approach was used: meetings with commercial group tour operators at travel trade shows; focus group sessions with frequent users of the three facilities and letters to elected officials.
Pursuant to the User Fees Act, this proposal will be tabled in Parliament prior to being submitted for approval.

Business Licenses – Proposed (Amended).

Restaurant
e.g. $99.05 to $200 per year

Rights and Privileges Parks Canada Agency Act

To earn a fair return for the commercial use of publicly owned resources.

2008/09 Parks Canada consulted on a business license fees proposal with business operators, business associations, chambers of commerce, elected officials, provincial parks and tourism ministries, national tourism organizations, park stakeholder groups and Canadians generally in July and August 2005.
Pursuant to the User Fees Act, this proposal will be tabled in Parliament prior to being submitted for approval.

1 According to Sections 23 and 24 of the Parks Canada Agency Act, the Minister sets all fees and charges for rights and privileges

TABLE 7: DETAILS ON PROJECT SPENDING

Quebec City – Dufferin Terrace Stabilization & Major Repairs
Quebec City – Old Port of Quebec Interpretation Centre enhancements
Central Ontario – Bolsover Dam Replacement
Banff NP – Trans Canada Highway Twinning
For further information on the above-mentioned projects see http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/est-pre/estime.asp

 

Current Estimated Total Cost

Forecast Spending to 31-Mar-07

Planned
Spending
2007-2008
Planned
Spending
2008-2009
Planned
Spending
2009-2010
Future Years Spending
Conserve Heritage Resources
Quebec
Quebec City – Dufferin Terrace Stabilization & Major Repairs 11.6 5.7 2.9 0.6 2.4
Ontario
Central Ontario – Bolsover Dam Replacement 14.1 1.2 11.9 1.0
Promote Public Appreciation & Understanding
Quebec
Quebec City – Old Port of Quebec Interpretation Centre enhancements 24.0 6.9 14.7 2.4
Throughway Management
Alberta
Banff NP – Trans Canada Highway Twinning 87.0 40.8 24.2 17.0 5.0

TABLE 8: DETAILS ON TRANSFER PAYMENT PROGRAMS

Contribution in support of the Commercial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund
Historic Places Initiative Class Contribution Program
General Class Contribution Program
For further information on the above-mentioned transfer payment programs see http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/est-pre/estime.asp

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Contribution in support of the Commercial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund
Start Date: 2003-2004
End Date: October 31, 2007 (Option to extend to October 2008)
Purpose of Transfer Payment Program: Engage a broad range of businesses in the task of preserving Canada’s commercial heritage properties
Expected results: Participation of private sector partners (taxable Canadian corporations) in preserving Canada’s heritage through rehabilitation of historic properties for commercial or rental use.
Expected outcomes: Better preservation and protection of Canada’s historic places and greater public and private sector awareness of the importance of conservation and of the significance of Canada’s historic places. Ensuring that more historic properties are “given a function in the life of communities” through use for commercial or rental purposes.
 

Forecast
Spending
2006-2007

Planned
Spending
2007-2008

Planned
Spending
2008-2009
Planned
Spending
2009-2010
Planned
Spending
2010-2011
Planned
Spending
2011-2012
Program Activity:
Conserve Heritage Resources
           
Total Contributions 6,089 7,448 8,595 0 0 0

 

 

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Historic Places Initiative Class Contribution Program
Start Date: 2002-2003 End Date: Ongoing (with renewal every 5 years)
Purpose of Transfer Payment Program: To provide direct support for provinces and territories to participate in the development of the Canadian Register of Historic Places and the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, and to engage municipalities, stakeholders and the general public in the conservation of historic places.
Expected results: Ongoing population and maintenance of the Canadian Register of Historic Places; refinement and dissemination of national Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places; partnership between Parks Canada and provincial and territorial authorities to identify, preserve and protect Canada’s historic places; and creation of the basis for further initiatives to encourage preservation and protection of Canada’s historic places.
Expected outcomes: Better preservation and protection of Canada’s historic places; and greater public awareness of the importance of conservation and of the significance of Canada’s historic places.
 

Forecast
Spending
2006-2007

Planned
Spending
2007-2008

Planned
Spending
2008-2009
Planned
Spending
2009-2010
Planned
Spending
2010-2011
Planned
Spending
2011-2012
Program Activity:
Conserve Heritage Resources
           
Total Contributions 7,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000

 

 

Name of Transfer Payment Program: General Class Contribution Program (GCCP)
Start Date: 2006-2007 End Date: Ongoing (with renewal every 5 years)
Purpose of Transfer Payment Program: The GCCP is atypical in that it is not a program within itself; rather, it is a funding authority available to Agency managers. From time to time, Agency managers with programming responsibilities may determine that, given their priorities, available resources, other program delivery mechanisms already in place, and the players and environment in which they deliver their programs, use of a contribution agreement is the most effective means of achieving program objectives.
Expected results: More Canadians recognizing, appreciating and being engaged in the values of natural and cultural conservation. Stakeholders being further engaged in terms of interest and involvement of common objectives towards ecological or cultural integrity. Access to a better knowledge base on commercial, ecological or aboriginal issues of mutual interest for informed decision-making and dialogue for Parks Canada managers and stakeholders. Heritage assets are protected, secured and researched. Targeted audiences are educated in such areas as ecology, safety and other issues.
Expected outcomes: The expected outcomes mirror the Parks Canada mandate of engaging Canadians in preserving and presenting Canada’s rich diversity of cultural and natural heritage.
 

Forecast
Spending
2006-2007

Planned
Spending
2007-2008

Planned
Spending
2008-2009
Planned
Spending
2009-2010
Planned
Spending
2010-2011
Planned
Spending
2011-2012
Program Activities
           
Establish Heritage Places 96 228 23 23 23 23
Conserve Heritage Resources
512 1,090 474 117 117  
Promote Public Appreciation and Understanding 1,242 301 189 189 189 189
Enhance Visitor Experience 145          
Townsite Management 11 37 37 37    
Total Contributions 2,006 1,656 723 366 329 212

Due to rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown


TABLE 9: NEW PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES ACCOUNT – SOURCE AND USE OF FUNDS (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)


 

Forecast
Spending
2006-2007

Planned
Spending
2007-2008

Planned
Spending
2008-2009
Planned
Spending
2009-20010
Planned
Spending
2010-2011
Planned
Spending
2011-2012
Source of Funds            
from Payment Vote 30 3,000 2,300 2,300 2,300 2,300 2,300
from Sale of Land and Buildings 600 300 300 300 300 300

from General Donations
8 0 0 0 0 0
from Carry Forward of Previous Years 14,922 16,530 13,310 10,010 9,435 9,735
Total
18,530 19,130 15,910 12,610 12,035 12,335
             
Use of Funds            
for Capital Projects 2,000 4,820 3,900 1,175 1,000 1,000
for Cost Sharing Contributions 0 1,000 2,000 2,000 1,300 1,300
Total
2,000 5,820 5,900 3,175 2,300 2,300

Due to rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown

TABLE 10: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY


In December 2006, the Minister of the Environment tabled the 2007-2009 Parks Canada Agency Sustainable Development Strategy in Parliament. The complete SDS document is accessible at: http://www.pc.gc.ca/docs/pc/strat/sdd-sds-2007/index-eng.asp.

Parks Canada is in the business of sustainable development. The mandate aligns well with the goals of sustainable development. The business of Parks Canada is the protection and presentation of significant examples of Canada’s history and culture and representative examples of Canada’s ecosystems and biodiversity.

The Agency mandate defines and is identical to its strategic outcome; that is, the desired end product of all its activities. Parks Canada’s strategic outcome includes two important subsets of sustainable economic policy; Agency activities contribute to the attainment of sustainable economic growth and a clean and healthy environment.

The table below provides some detail on six of the key objectives of the Parks Canada SDS.

1. SDS Agency Goal:

1.1 Parks Canada will create national parks and national marine conservation areas in unrepresented regions.

1.2 Parks Canada will conduct ecological monitoring and reporting on the state of ecosystems in national parks and national marine conservation areas.

1.3 Parks Canada will designate and commemorate places, persons and events of national historic significance, particularly in under-represented priority areas.

1.4 Parks Canada will develop learning opportunities that help bring about a culture of conservation through partnerships, increased understanding of key audiences, and the use of best practices in the areas of environmental education, place-based education and social marketing.

1.5 Parks Canada will provide meaningful opportunities by facilitating experiential connections with Canada’s protected heritage areas.

1.6 Parks Canada will develop and deliver educational programming in and around national parks promoting personal discovery of park ecosystems and improved understanding of ecological integrity challenges.

2. Federal SD Goal including GGO goals

2.1 Conserve and protect aquatic ecosystems (marine and freshwater) and biodiversity

2.2 Conserve and protect aquatic ecosystems(marine and freshwater) and biodiversity

2.3 Maintain and foster social well-being within communities

2.4 Promote a high level of environmental quality in communities

2.5 Encourage responsible use of natural resources so as to conserve and protect environmental quality

2.6 Encourage responsible use of natural resources so as to conserve and protect environmental quality

3. Performance Measure from Current SDS

3.1 Increase the number of represented terrestrial regions from 25 in March 2003 to 30 of 39 by March 2008; increase the number of represented marine regions from two in March 2003 to four of 29 by March 2008.

3.2 Develop fully functioning ecological integrity monitoring and reporting systems for all national parks by March 2008.

3.3 Designate on average, 24 new places, persons and events per year.

3.4 Develop indicators, expectations and protocols for measuring public appreciation and understanding of Canadians and stakeholders by March 2007.

3.5 85 % of visitors are satisfied and 50 % are very satisfied with their experience at national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas.

3.6 Parks Canada will review and enhance indicators, measurement protocols and targets for all aspects of the planned results and performance expectations by march 2007.

4. Agency’s Expected results for 2007-08

4.1 Represent one terrestrial region and two marine regions.

4.2 Fully functioning ecological integrity monitoring and reporting system for all national parks.

4.3 Designate 24 new places, persons and events.

4.4 Indicators, expectations and protocols developed and ready for implementation.

4.5 Targets met for reporting period.

4.6 Indicators, expectations and protocols developed and ready for implementation.


TABLE 11: PARKS CANADA PLANNED AUDITS AND EVALUATIONS FOR 2007-2008 (to be confirmed in annual risk based planning)



Projet Type Description
INTERNAL AUDIT Delegation Framework Assurance
The audit would look at whether established delegations (Human Resource, Financial, Contracting) are being used, whether use is consistent with delegation charts, and whether managers have the tools and training to use the delegated authority effectively.
Financial and Administrative Management Assurance Parks Canada is organized into 32 field units, four service centres and national office consisting of 6 branches. Audits related to contracting, travel claims; accounts payable, revenue, inventory, and financial coding are done in a sample of these units each year with a view of covering all the units at least once over several years. Failure to comply with government and Agency policy can lead to theft, fraud, misuse or inefficient use of public funds along with the associated risks of loss of reputation and negative media coverage.
Audits of Partnerships Assurance Audits of the partnership agreements will address whether the inherent risks in such agreements are adequately managed.
Audit Framework for Information Management Framework

Management of information is widely seen to be inadequate within government. Lack of adequate information management can lead to inefficient operations, duplication of effort, loss of crucial information, poor decision-making, loss of reputation, and negative media coverage. An audit would provide independent assurance that current strategies and practices are adequate for dealing with the problem. The proposed framework would document the current organizational efforts to address this problem and lay out the nature and timing of future audit work.

Audit of financial system STAR Assurance Financial results presented by Parks rely on data from the financial system STAR (previously called SAP). The quality and reliability of the controls need to be assessed in order to provide reasonable assurance on the accuracy of the data. In the Auditor General Report on March 2004, weaknesses of electronic security controls as well as system monitoring controls were identified. Changes had to be made to these controls. Parks was not one of the departments audited in 2004; however, the quality of our controls needs to be assessed, especially because a new version of the system has been put in place.
Land Management Framework Framework The Land Management Group is currently working to standardize a variety of contracts in order to ensure better control over the agreements entered into by Parks on behalf of the Crown. The first is to identify that various elements of the framework are in place, and to assess the risky areas where future audits should be performed.
Attendance Data Quality Assurance Attendance data is used to communicate to stakeholders the extent of demand for heritage places, for calculations of economic impacts of parks, for operational management purposes, and to provide context for understanding conservation challenges. Inaccurate or poor data could lead to inappropriate management decisions and loss of public confidence and creditability.
EVALUATION Evaluation of Internal Communications Evaluation Internal communications was identified as an issue in the 2003 Employee Survey, and in a review of the implementation of the Engaging Canadians Strategy carried out in Western Canada. This evaluation will focus on the progress in addressing the extent to which currently identified weakness are addressed.
Evaluation of the Science Function Evaluation Science and science advice are key inputs to decision-making aimed at conserving ecological and commemorative integrity, engaging Canadians, and ensuring quality visitor experiences. Inadequate management of science and science advice could lead to inefficient operations, poor decision-making and negative media coverage, loss of reputation and ultimately loss of important heritage resources. The evaluation will look at the state of science and scientific advice in the Agency relative to federal science and technology guidelines and principles.
Formative Evaluation of Environmental Integrity Funding Initiatives Formative Evaluation This project is proposed as part of the Performance and Evaluation Framework that is currently under development for the new environmental integrity funding. The formative evaluation is intended to provide assurance that funds are being spent as intended, that expected activities and outputs are being produced and reaching the intended audiences and that audiences are engaged and that the initiative is on track to produce measurable improvements in ecological integrity in national parks.
Evaluation of Progress in Relationships with Aboriginal Peoples
Evaluation Improving Parks Canada’s focus on and relationships with aboriginal peoples is among fundamental challenges outlined in the Agency’s Corporate Plan. The evaluation would document the relevance of the existing programming and outreach activities, results achieved and best practices.
Evaluation of Interpretation Programming Evaluation

Heritage Interpretation is the primary mechanism for communicating to on-site visitors the nature and significance of the particular heritage place and the role of that place in the national systems. If interpretative programming does not function as desired, the right messages will not be conveyed to intended audiences, resulting in a failure to engage visitors and lack of support for conservation mandate.

A program-lead evaluation of interpretation was conducted in 1997, with a follow-up evaluation in 2003. The latter evaluation focused on processes and systems put in place to address issues identified in the first evaluation. The proposed evaluation would focus on the results achieved from interpretative programming.

BOTH Audit and Evaluation Framework For Partnership and Collaborative Arrangements Framework

Parks Canada is increasingly emphasizing partnering and collaborative arrangements as means of doing business. These kinds of arrangements involve a number of inherent risks as outlined by the Auditor General and Treasury Board Secretariat including risks of unintended legal liabilities, loss of reputation, failure to achieve results. The framework would identify the audit and evaluation expectations for the range of partnership/ collaborative arrangements found in Parks Canada, including examples of good practice. Development of the framework would precede conducting audits of specific partnership agreements later in the year.