ARCHIVED - Parks Canada - Report

• Previous Page
• Table of Contents
• Next Page

This page has been archived.

Section II – Analysis of Program Activities

The section that follows describes Parks Canada's program activities and identifies the expected result, performance indicators and targets for each of them. It explains how Parks Canada plans on meeting the expected results and presents the financial and non-financial resources that are planned to be dedicated to each program activity.

This section also identifies activities contributing to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS). The Parks Canada Agency is the federal lead on target 6.2 related to Park Protected Habitat of the FSDS. This target corresponds to one of Parks Canada's targets at the strategic outcome level and is identified in the Planning Summary in Section I of this plan. It reads as follows: maintain or improve the overall ecological integrity of all national parks from March 2008 to March 2013. Activities contributing to the achievement of this target are found under Program Activity 1 - Heritage Places Establishment; Program Activity 2 - Heritage Resources Conservation; Program Activity 3 - Public Appreciation and Understanding; and Program Activity 4 - Visitor Experience.

Progress made in achieving performance expectations for all program activities is reported annually in the Agency Performance Report. The report on the state of heritage places administered by Parks Canada can also be found in the Library section of the Parks Canada website at http://www.pc.gc.ca.

Program Activity 1 – Heritage Places Establishment

Expected Result of Program Activity: Represented regions in the systems of national parks and national marine conservation areas; the system of national historic sites represents the breadth and diversity of Canada's history.

Performance Indicators:	Targets:
Number of represented terrestrial natural regions in the system of national parks Number of unrepresented regions with demonstrable progress in advancing through steps towards establishing national parks2	Increase the number of represented terrestrial natural regions from 28 in March 2007 to 29 of 39 by March 2013 Make demonstrable progress towards establishing national parks in three unrepresented regions3
Percentage of yearly commemorations for under-represented themes in Canada's history	33% of yearly commemorations are for under-represented themes in Canada's history
Number of represented marine regions in the system of national marine conservation areas Number of unrepresented regions with demonstrable progress in advancing through steps towards establishing national marine conservation areas4	Increase the number of represented marine regions from 3 in October 2007 to 5 of 29 by March 2013 Make demonstrable progress towards establishing national marine conservation areas in two unrepresented regions5

Programming in this area contributes to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

Heritage Places Establishment Program Activity

Planned Spending ($ Thousands) and Full Time Equivalents (FTE)
	2011–12	2012–13	2013–14	2014–15	2015–16
Planned Spending	22,751	21,588	21,588	21,588	21,592
FTEs	92	89	89	89	89

Program Activity Description:

This program includes systems planning, completing feasibility studies, research, consulting with stakeholders and the public, negotiating with other governments and Aboriginal organizations and obtaining Ministerial approval, resulting in established national parks and national marine conservation areas and designated national historic sites of Canada and other heritage places. Canada's national parks and national marine conservation areas, as well as the persons, places and events of national historic significance to Canada are symbols to the world and are part of the fabric of the nation. Preservation of Canada's natural and cultural heritage and making it available to Canadians for discovery and enjoyment is of key importance. Establishing heritage places is essential to enhancing pride, encouraging stewardship and giving expression to our identity as Canadians, and involving Canada in the internationally shared objective of protecting and commemorating the best of the world's natural and cultural heritage.

Planning Highlights:

To achieve the expected result, Parks Canada will:

• Establish one new national park in an unrepresented terrestrial region; complete feasibility assessments for three other potential national parks in unrepresented terrestrial regions, and complete one proposed expansion (identified in Figure 1).
• Complete feasibility assessments for two potential national marine conservation areas in unrepresented marine regions (identified in Figure 3).
• In accordance with Government of Canada direction, work towards designating Sable Island (N.S.) a national park, and establishing Nááts'ihch'oh National Park Reserve (N.W.T.) to better protect the headwaters of the South Nahanni River.
• Continue to support the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and the Minister in the designation and commemoration of places, persons and events of national historic significance that represent the breadth and diversity of Canadian history. Over the next five years, an average of 36 commemorations of places, persons and events of national historic significance will be carried out annually.
• Implement the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act, with a particular focus on researching and evaluating the heritage value of federally-owned lighthouses nominated for designation by members of the public.
• Continue to evaluate federally owned buildings in collaboration with other federal departments and agencies, and make recommendations to the Minister for the designation of buildings that are determined to be of heritage value as Federal Heritage Buildings.

Benefits for Canadians:

Creating new national parks and national marine conservation areas, and expanding existing national parks, protects representative examples of Canada's distinct landscapes and seascapes. The designation of new places, persons and events of national historic significance builds on our system of national commemorations that reflects the breadth and diversity of Canadian history. Newly established heritage places contribute to regional economic development and the well-being of communities, and lead to new opportunities for visitor experience, education and long-term meaningful involvement in the place's planning and management. Canadians benefit from the positive relationships built with Aboriginal peoples, other governments and communities in the establishment of these special places and ensures that we can pass onto future generations the living legacy that we have inherited from generations past.

Program Activity 2 – Heritage Resources Conservation

Expected Result of Program Activity: Management actions result in improvements to ecological integrity indicators in national parks, and the state of cultural resources in national historic sites is improved.

Performance Indicators:	Targets:
Number of national parks with at least one improved ecological integrity indicator	20 national parks improve 1 ecological integrity indicator from March 2008 to March 2014
Percentage of the condition of cultural resources and management practices elements of commemorative integrity rated as poor are improved	70% of the condition of cultural resources and management practices elements of commemorative integrity rated as poor are improved within five years

Programming in this area contributes to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

Heritage Resources Conservation Program Activity

Planned Spending ($ Thousands) and Full Time Equivalents (FTE)
	2011–12	2012–13	2013–14	2014–15	2015–16
Planned Spending	198,921	195,013	194,977	194,977	195,019
FTE	1,272	1,272	1,272	1,272	1,272

Program Activity Description:

This program includes maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity in national parks through protection of natural resources and natural processes; ensuring the commemorative integrity of national historic sites managed by Parks Canada and influencing the commemorative integrity of those managed or owned by third parties; the protection and management of cultural resources under the administration of Parks Canada; and the sustainable use of national marine conservation areas including protection of unique marine ecosystems. This program also includes fulfilling legal responsibilities assigned to Parks Canada by the Species at Risk Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The protection of Canada's most special natural and cultural resources ensures that current and future generations will enjoy a system of protected heritage places.

Planning Highlights:

The assets managed under this program activity represent close to a quarter of Parks Canada's asset portfolio. Historic assets are core to Parks Canada's mandate, and once they are lost, they are lost forever. The size of the entire Agency portfolio and the age of the infrastructure represent a financial pressure for the Agency. Parks Canada has, therefore, identified asset management as one of its key corporate risks and as one of its corporate priorities. Additional information on the type of asset managed under this program activity is available in the Update to the Long-Term Capital Plan found in Section IV of this plan.

To achieve the expected result, Parks Canada will:

• Continue to address conservation challenges and demonstrate improvements in key indicators of ecological integrity in 20 of Canada's national parks through active management and restoration initiatives. The focus of our actions is on priority management issues identified in park management plans. Examples of projects to be carried out in 2011-12 include:
  • A $458,000 investment in La Mauricie National Park of Canada for the removal of dams and thousands of sunken logs from several lakes as well as the execution of prescribed burns in 2000 hectares of mixed forest in order to improve the ecological integrity of the park's aquatic and forest ecosystems.
  • A $227,000 investment to restore obstructed fish passages at road culverts for streams in Jasper, Glacier and Yoho National Parks of Canada. This multi-year project aims to improve the aquatic connectivity by restoring poorly functioning stream crossings in seven national parks.
• Develop a national zoning framework for the national marine conservation areas program by 2014.
• Continue to lead the development of national recovery strategies for species at risk that are found primarily on Parks Canada administered lands and waters in accordance with legislative requirements.
• Continue to work towards maintaining the ecological integrity of national parks and reintroducing natural processes such as fire. Parks Canada will conduct prescribed burns, and when required, will suppress wildfires. (The 2010-11 wildfire season was relatively quiet with only one challenging wildfire in Wood Buffalo National Park of Canada. The Parks Canada Agency managed 77 wildfires affecting 5,900 hectares, significantly below the 10 year average.)
• Work towards maintaining or improving the commemorative integrity of the national historic sites the Agency administers, with particular attention to improving the condition of built cultural resources. Examples of projects to be carried out in 2011-12 include:
  • A $3 million annual investment over six years for the conservation of Fort Henry National Historic Site of Canada located in Kingston, Ontario. Work will be directed towards repair, stabilization and preservation of the buildings and structures of the Fort Henry complex, in partnership with the St. Lawrence Parks Commission and the Province of Ontario who operate the site as a heritage attraction.
  • A $192,000 investment at Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site of Canada, an early 18^th-century stone masterpiece near Churchill, Manitoba, that will continue to address underlying causes of instability and conserve the fort's massive stone walls.
  • A $340,000 investment at York Factory National Historic Site of Canada, which was established in 1684 as the principal depot for the Hudson Bay Company fur trade, to complete the fifth and final year of a study to identify options related to the future management of the site, which is threatened by river bank erosion, and the ongoing conservation of its cultural resources.
• Administer the Parks Canada National Historic Sites of Canada Cost-Sharing Program in order to support the protection of national historic sites not owned by the Agency. The program will continue to provide funding for not-for-profit organizations to carry out conservation and presentation projects at their national historic sites. Additional information on this program is available in the Transfer Payment Program Table found in Section III of this plan.
• Support the conservation of historic places not administered by Parks Canada through continued collaboration with provincial and territorial governments to provide Canadians with conservation tools such as the Canadian Register of Historic Places and the second edition of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada.

Benefits for Canadians:

The conservation of national parks and national historic sites and the sustainable use of national marine conservation areas help ensure that important natural and cultural resources are protected for the environmental, social and economic benefit of Canadians. National parks and marine conservation areas are part of the protected areas system of Canada and are intended for the use, benefit and enjoyment of all Canadians. These areas are relevant to the Canadian society for the intrinsic benefits they provide, such as clean air, clean water and adaptation to climate change. Additionally, protected areas contribute to Canada's economy through the provision of tourism opportunities and enhance the physical and mental health of Canadians as spiritual places and recreational resources. National historic sites and other historic places are tangible manifestations of the breadth and diversity of Canadian history and their conservation connects Canadians to their past. They also play important contemporary roles in their communities as places of gathering, business, entertainment and tourism. These heritage places are intrinsic components of the Canadian identity. Together, Parks Canada's national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas provide meaningful opportunities for Canadians to appreciate and personally connect with nationally significant places and stories and to engage directly in the management of Canada's national treasures.

Program Activity 3 – Public Appreciation and Understanding

Expected Result of Program Activity: Canadians appreciate the significance of heritage places administered by Parks Canada and support their protection and presentation.

Performance Indicators:	Targets:
Percentage of Canadians that appreciate the significance of heritage places administered by Parks Canada	60% of Canadians appreciate the significance of heritage places administered by Parks Canada by March 2014
Percentage of Canadians that support the protection and presentation of places administered by Parks Canada	80% of Canadians support the protection and presentation of places administered by Parks Canada by March 2014

Programming in this area contributes to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

Public Appreciation and Understanding Program Activity

Planned Spending ($ Thousands) and Full Time Equivalents (FTE)
	2011–12	2012–13	2013–14	2014–15	2015–16
Planned Spending	34,155	31,610	26,954	26,449	25,602
FTEs	294	293	293	291	290

Program Activity Description:

This program activity aims to increase Canadians' understanding, appreciation, support and engagement with respect to the natural and historical heritage of Parks Canada administered places. This is accomplished by reaching Canadians at home, at leisure, at school and in their communities through relevant and effective communication and public outreach education initiatives as well as by engaging many stakeholders and partners in the development and implementation of the Agency's future direction.

Planning Highlights:

Parks Canada's website is a fundamental communication medium and its use can be leveraged to engage Canadians and to provide a means to present and foster learning of the natural and cultural heritage of Parks Canada administered places. The information technology infrastructure required to support the Parks Canada website and corresponding tools for Canadians are aging and require renewed investment in order to ensure that they remain current and relevant.

To achieve the expected result, Parks Canada will:

• Expand its reach, increase its visibility and provide relevant opportunities for urban and new Canadians' initial connection with Parks Canada in the metropolitan areas of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver through focused investment and outreach strategies, including working with a broad range of partners. Key planned activities include working with the arts and music communities to connect with urban audiences; remote delivery of Parks Canada programs to schools and other venues through video conferencing; outreach events and exhibits in high traffic venues; integration of Parks Canada experiences into new citizen events and materials, and the launch of a speakers bureau to bring Parks Canada stories to locations within easy access of urban Canadians.
• Celebrate its centennial as the world's first national park service in 2011 and will leverage this occasion to launch a program of outreach activities and signature special events to increase Canadians' awareness of and connection to Canada's national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas.
• Focus on proactive media relations targeting daily news, specialized media as well as broadcast initiatives to engage Canadians. Strategic investment in new media and the renewal of the Parks Canada website will enable Canadians to interact with Parks Canada in their homes, schools and places of leisure.
• Provide increased opportunities for Canadians to be involved with Parks Canada places in activities they consider meaningful and relevant. Volunteer engagement will be actively promoted to inspire Canadians to step forward and play a role in Parks Canada heritage places mobilizing their active support.
• Continue the development of a framework to engage Aboriginal peoples in the planning and management of heritage places administered by Parks Canada. As part of this framework, Parks Canada will establish Aboriginal advisory relationships in various locations across the organization, guided by the unique legal and cultural contexts of the different Aboriginal groups, by 2013.

Benefits for Canadians:

To foster a sense of connection to Canada's places of natural and cultural heritage, it is important that Canadians have opportunities to understand, appreciate and support Parks Canada heritage places. In turn, Canadians will increasingly take pride in these places, knowing that they have an opportunity to influence decisions and actions undertaken on their behalf.

Program Activity 4 – Visitor Experience

Expected Result of Program Activity: Visitors at surveyed locations feel a sense of personal connection to the places visited.

Performance Indicators:	Targets:
Percentage of visitors that consider the place is meaningful to them	On average, 85% of visitors at surveyed locations consider the place meaningful
Percentage of visitors that are satisfied, and percentage that are very satisfied, with their visit	On average, 90% of visitors at surveyed locations are satisfied, and, on average, 50% at surveyed locations are very satisfied, with their visit

Programming in this area contributes to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

Visitor Experience Program Activity

Planned Spending ($ Thousands) and Full Time Equivalents (FTE)
	2011–12	2012–13	2013–14	2014–15	2015–16
Planned Spending	235,521	235,368	235,296	235,296	235,163
FTEs	1,951	1,951	1,951	1,951	1,951

Program Activity Description:

This program supports the opportunities provided for the more than 20 million person visits that are made annually to Canada's national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas by Canadians and international visitors. The visitor experience is the sum total of a visitor's personal interaction with the protected heritage place that helps them create meaning and establish connection with the place. The experience begins with awareness of the site, followed by planning the visit, travelling to and welcoming and orientation upon arrival. During the visitor's time on site, it includes participation in recreational and interpretive activities and the use of accommodation, trails, facilities, services and supporting infrastructure. This is followed by departure and the post-visit relationship. Investments in the different stages of the visitor experience cycle facilitate opportunities for enjoyment and learning, leading to a sense of personal connection and the continued relevance of Canada's protected heritage places for Canadians.

Planning Highlights:

The assets managed under this program activity represent over 40% of Parks Canada's asset portfolio. Visitor facilities provide opportunities for Canadians to have meaningful experiences and personally connect to Canada's heritage places. The size of the entire Agency portfolio and the age of the infrastructure represent a financial pressure for the Agency. Parks Canada has, therefore, identified asset management as one of its key corporate risks and as one of its corporate priorities. Additional information on the type of asset managed under this program activity is available in the Update to the Long-Term Capital Plan found in Section IV of this plan.

To achieve the expected result, Parks Canada will:

• Focus its efforts towards attracting new Canadians, young families and young adults, and increasing their participation in the visitor experience opportunities that are available at their national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas.
• Position each heritage place within the local tourism marketplace, identify key target segments in that market and use a market based approach to attract and grow these segments.
• Provide improved and diversified accommodation offers, recreational activities, and an expanded number of special events and interpretive products, as well as continued quality service. This will help Canadians have meaningful experiences and connect to their national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas.
• Continue to promote authentic Aboriginal cultural experiences for visitors and foster economic and tourism opportunities in its heritage places.
• Increase Canadians' and international travellers' awareness of the available visitor experience opportunities at its heritage places by increasing brand awareness, collaborative promotional programs with industry partners and focused communications to target markets. Parks Canada initiatives will attract 22.4 million visits annually to national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas by March 2015.

Benefits for Canadians:

National parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas provide Canadians with visitor experience opportunities for enjoyment and learning. In turn, this leads to a sense of personal connection and the continued relevance of Canada's protected heritage places to Canadians. By providing opportunities for authentic Aboriginal cultural activities, the Agency also contributes to the understanding of Aboriginal cultures and their historical connection with Parks Canada's heritage places.

Program Activity 5 – Townsite and Throughway Infrastructure

Expected Result of Program Activity: Condition of contemporary infrastructure for townsites and waterways is maintained or improved, and through highways are open to traffic.

Performance Indicators:	Targets:
Percentage of townsite contemporary assets that are maintained and percentage of townsite contemporary assets rated as poor or fair that are improved	The condition of 75% of townsite contemporary assets is maintained, and the condition of 25% of assets rated as poor or fair is improved by March 2013
Percentage of waterway contemporary assets that are maintained and percentage of waterway contemporary assets rated as poor or fair that are improved	The condition of 75% of waterway contemporary assets is maintained, and the condition of 25% of assets rated as poor or fair is improved by March 2013
Number of days of closure of through highways due to asset condition	Zero (0) days of closure of through highways due to asset condition

Townsite and Throughway Infrastructure Program Activity

Planned Spending ($ Thousands) and Full Time Equivalents (FTE)
	2011–12	2012–13	2013–14	2014–15	2015–16
Planned Spending	122,625	77,608	62,610	57,610	57,622
FTEs	325	323	323	322	322

Program Activity Description:

This program involves managing, operating and providing municipal services to five townsite communities within Canada's national parks. These are Field in Yoho National Park of Canada, British Columbia; Lake Louise in Banff National Park of Canada, Alberta; Wasagaming in Riding Mountain National Park of Canada, Manitoba; Waskesiu in Prince Albert National Park of Canada, Saskatchewan; and Waterton in Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada, Alberta. Two other townsites, Banff and Jasper, are self-governed since 1990 and 2002, respectively. Parks Canada retains authority for community plans and by-laws in Banff, and for community plans, land-use planning and development in Jasper. This program also involves the operation of provincial and inter-provincial highways and waterways that connect communities and pass through national parks and national historic sites. Waterways, which support commercial and recreational boating as well as other recreational activities, include the Trent-Severn Waterway, the Rideau and Sault Ste. Marie canals in Ontario; the Carillon, Chambly, Lachine, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and Saint-Ours canals in Quebec; and the St. Peters canal in Nova Scotia.

Planning Highlights:

The assets managed under this program activity represent more than a quarter of Parks Canada's asset portfolio. The size and diversity of this portfolio and the age of the infrastructure represent a financial pressure for the Agency. Parks Canada has, therefore, identified asset management as one of its key corporate risks and as one of its corporate priorities. Additional information on the type of asset managed under this program activity is available in the Update to the Long-Term Capital Plan found in Section IV of this plan.

To achieve the expected result, Parks Canada will:

• Complete twinning of the remaining 6 kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway located within Banff National Park of Canada to the British Columbia border by 2013 in order to increase passenger safety and ease traffic flows.
• Continue to make targeted infrastructure investments in maintenance and rehabilitation of bridges and dams to ensure through highways and through waterways remain safe and open.
• Examine critical issues facing heritage canals and their infrastructure, including public safety risks associated with an aging infrastructure as well as environmental and municipal responsibilities, with a view to ensuring their sustainability.
• Complete inspections of assets in five townsites by 2012 in order to identify and prioritize investment needs.
• Continue to make investments to upgrade townsites infrastructure to maintain levels of service and address essential safety requirements. In 2011-12, for example, Parks Canada will complete the replacement of existing control systems at the Lake Louise wastewater treatment plant.

Benefits for Canadians:

Parks Canada is the proud steward of national parks, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites, which include historic canals. In addition to its core mandated responsibilities, Parks Canada manages townsite and throughway infrastructure. Five of Canada's national parks provide a haven for vibrant townsite communities, to which Parks Canada renders a variety of municipal or other services. The Agency also manages and maintains the provincial and inter-provincial highways and waterways that are an integral part of Canada's transportation system and pass through national parks and national historic sites. Parks Canada manages a network of waterways which supports commercial and recreational boating, as well as other recreational activities. Dams that form part of waterway infrastructure regulate water levels, supplying water for navigation, consumption, fire protection and hydro power generation.

Internal Services

Planned Spending ($ Thousands) and Full Time Equivalents (FTE)
	2011–12	2012–13	2013–14	2014–15	2015–16
Planned Spending	81,562	81,521	81,521	81,521	81,457
FTEs	488	488	488	488	487

Programming in this area contributes to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are: Management and Oversight Services (i.e., Investment Planning, Project Management, Risk Management, Planning and Reporting, Internal Audit and Evaluation); Communications Services; Legal Services; Human Resource Management Services; Financial Management Services; Information Management Services; Information Technology Services;
Real Property Services; Materiel Services; Acquisition Services; and Travel and Other Administrative Services. Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.

Planning Highlights:

With regard to its Internal Services, Parks Canada will:

• Continue to make progress in implementing the new financial policy direction over four disciplines: financial management governance; internal control; financial resource management, information and reporting; and financial systems. Specific areas of focus in 2011–12 include the implementation of quarterly and future-oriented financial statements, the harmonization of common business processes and the development of an action plan for the annual assessment of internal controls.
• Continue to implement the Treasury Board Policy on Evaluation by improving its evaluation quality and capacity through the development of guidelines and standardized templates and approaches for conducting evaluations. This, in turn, will lead to efficiencies in the process and to improvements in the quality of evaluation products. Implement the Treasury Board Policy on Investment Planning - Assets and Acquired Services. The Investment Plan will support sound planning and investment decisions and enable the Agency to advance infrastructure improvements to minimize risks and liabilities in program delivery.
• Continue to implement its security program and develop a departmental security plan by 2012 to comply with the new Treasury Board Policy on Government Security.
• Focus on continuously engaging its workforce and creating a respectful workplace, relevant and effective now and into the future. In doing so, the Agency will devise an integrated succession planning approach for key positions; develop strategies to harmonize the management of a multigenerational workforce and implement e-learning; upgrade its human resources management system with a view to further automate HR processes; and support management excellence by continued investment in leadership development, with an emphasis on middle managers.
• Minimize the environmental impact of its operations in accordance with the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy by demonstrating progress in specific areas identified in the Greening Government Operations Table found in Section III.

• Previous Page
• Table of Contents
• Next Page