Response of the Minister of the Environment to Recommendations Made at the Third Minister’s Round Table on Parks Canada (2005)

Foreword by the Chief Executive Officer

At least once every two years, Parks Canada enjoys a unique opportunity to hear directly from Canadians on how we can improve the management of national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas of Canada. The Minister’s Round Table on Parks Canada brings together Aboriginal partners, stakeholders, organizations and people who are passionate about Canada’s protected heritage areas to review key issues affecting the Agency and Canada’s systems of historic sites, parks and marine conservation areas.

The insights, views and recommendations provide us with a yardstick by which we can measure progress in meeting our objectives, including the ecological health of our national parks and marine conservation areas, the commemorative health of our national historic sites, as well as visitor experience and public awareness and understanding. Seeing the state of these special places through the eyes of people who are committed to protecting and presenting Canada’s natural and cultural heritage helps to shape our vision of how we can best fulfill our mandate.

The 2005 Minister’s Round Table on Parks Canada was a resounding success in this regard. Participants brought considerable personal expertise to the meeting and clearly focused on how to achieve larger goals.The recommendations were crafted through group discussions and reflect the views of many participants. Overall, there was a remarkable exchange between the cultural and natural communities, which no doubt led to the very strong recommendations.

This Round Table, even more than previous ones, has demonstrated the benefit of close cooperation with Canada’s Aboriginal peoples.The group heard from several leaders, among them Peter Irniq, Commissioner of Nunavut, who delivered a remarkable address on his experiences as a child and the considerable challenges he and his people have faced to retain their culture, their language and their way of life.Their messages and advice to the Minister and Parks Canada will not go unheard, and help to underscore the importance of the work being done to tell the story of Aboriginal peoples in connection to Canada’s special natural and cultural places.

What I heard from participants is a desire for ongoing dialogue. Parks Canada will look for opportunities to continue consulting and working closely with stakeholders. My goal is that more Canadians will value, learn from, and experience our natural and cultural treasures. This goal will only be met by working with our partners. This goal will only be achievable if we work closely with Canada’s Aboriginal peoples. It is by engaging with stakeholders at all levels and ultimately with visitors that Parks Canada will fulfill its mandate as expressed through the Parks Canada Charter. The work done at the 2005 Minister’s Round Table and the advice provided will greatly assist the Parks Canada team to achieve these goals.

Alan Latourelle
Chief Executive Officer
Parks Canada Agency