Let's Talk Parks, Canada!

Parks Canada to hold public consultations

OTTAWA, Dec. 7, 2016 /CNW/ - As Canada prepares to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, invites all Canadians to share their views on how Parks Canada should work to protect and present national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas for the next 50 years.

Parks Canada will hold public consultations from January 9 to January 27, 2017 and deliver a suite of virtual engagement activities and face-to-face events, to ensure all Canadians have the opportunity to provide their input.

Later this month, Parks Canada will release the State of Canada's Natural and Historic Places report to help inform discussions at the consultations. This report, which covers the period from 2011-16, offers an overview of the state of Canada's natural and cultural heritage places and provides information on progress in establishing protected areas and designating people, places and events of historic significance.

Parks Canada manages one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected natural and cultural heritage areas in the world. Help shape the future of Canada's amazing network of heritage places by joining the discussion from January 9 to 27, 2017. You can participate by visiting www.letstalkparkscanada.ca, ParksCanada or Environment and Natural Resources in Canada on Facebook, #TalkParks on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram. To learn more about Parks Canada and the consultations, visit www.letstalkparkscanada.ca today.

Quick Facts

• The Parks Canada Agency Act requires the Minister responsible for Parks Canada to allow Canadians to provide feedback on Parks Canada's responsibilities every two years. The Minister must respond to the recommendations of the consultations within 180 days.
• The consultations on Parks Canada are an important forum to discuss the Government's management of Canada's national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas.
• Previous consultations have addressed a wide variety of topics, such as heritage conservation, visitor experience, and inspiring Canadian youth to connect with our shared natural and cultural heritage.

Quote

"In January 2017, help mark Canada's 150th anniversary by joining the discussion on the future of our national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas. I want to hear from everyone on how these places can be enjoyed by more Canadians and how we can continue to protect them for future generations. So come on out and let's talk Parks, Canada!"

Catherine McKenna
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

Related Links 
www.letstalkparkscanada.ca  
https://twitter.com/ec_minister  
https://www.facebook.com/EnvironmentandNaturalResourcesinCanada  
https://twitter.com/ParksCanada  
https://www.facebook.com/ParksCanada/  
https://www.instagram.com/parks.canada  

SOURCE Parks Canada

For further information: Media Relations, Parks Canada Agency, 855-862-1812, [e-mail]