The Panel on Ecological Integrity in Canada's National Parks heard the Canadian public clearly say that there must be limits to growth in national parks. Parks Canada has heard this message as well. In recent years, Parks Canada has taken decisive steps to ensure that growth and development is managed to ensure balance with the long-term health of national parks.

Recent Initiatives:

The Banff – Bow Valley task force was established in 1994 to provide recommendations for the long-term management of the Banff Bow Valley in order to maintain its ecological integrity, while allowing appropriate levels of development and access for visitors.

In 1996, Minister Copps released the results of the Banff – Bow Valley Study which demonstrated the effects of development on ecological integrity are cumulative and not immediately visible. At that time, Minister Copps announced that no new land would be made available for commercial development in Banff National Park. In addition, Minister Copps announced specific measures to restore the Cascade Wildlife Corridor.

The response to the recommendations of the Banff –l Bow Valley Study were confirmed in the Banff National Park Management Plan tabled in April 1997. The management plan included the following actions:

– establish ecological integrity as the number one priority
– establish measurable ecological integrity indicators
– set the framework for limits to development
– provide clear direction for appropriate use

On June 26, 1998, Minister Copps announced:

– a legislative framework which would set legal boundaries for each of the seven national park communities, establish permanent caps on commercial development, and require a no net negative environmental impact principle in all future community plans,
– direction to complete community plans for national park communities which would provide a strategy for the management of growth.

In October 1998, the creation of a panel was announced to examine the nature, scale and rate of development for outlying commercial accommodations (OCAs) in the Rocky Mountain national parks. The OCA Panel report will be released in the near future.

The OCA Panel was also given responsibility for a public review of draft guidelines for ski areas in the Rocky Mountain national parks. In April 1999, direction for ski area guidelines was announced which ensures ski area management will be consistent with the principles of appropriate use; clear limits to development; management practices reflecting their location in a national park; and, no net negative environmental impact.


In November 1998, the creation of the Panel on Ecological Integrity in Canada's National Parks was announced. The Panel's objective was created to assess the approach Parks Canada is taking to maintain the ecological integrity of Canada's National Parks.

All of these initiatives have developed through public consultation. The Banff – Bow Valley Study and the Banff National Park Management Plan represent the most extensive public consultation ever undertaken by Parks Canada.

Collectively, these initiatives position Parks Canada to begin the 21st century with the tools necessary to achieve the expectations of Canadians and the world for national parks in Canada. Parks Canada's objective is to maintain and restore ecological integrity so that future generations can continue to enjoy and appreciate this natural heritage.

News Release associated with this Backgrounder.

Minister of Canadian Heritage Releases Report of the Panel on the Ecological Integrity of Canada's National Parks