The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced the upcoming 2020 Minister’s Round Table on Parks Canada – a consultation on national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas.
The Minister’s Round Table is an opportunity for Parks Canada to engage in meaningful consultation with Indigenous groups, stakeholders, and all Canadians to help shape the future of these treasured places for decades to come. While the Government’s main focus right now is to keep Canadians safe and the economy stable, we want to know how Parks Canada can continue to provide a safe, accessible experience for all Canadians, while continuing its important work around protecting and maintaining these national treasures for future generations.
The consultation will focus on five main themes:
- Urban Parks: Parks Canada as a leader in urban conservation, and providing access to nature and culture in communities;
- Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility: Parks Canada as a partner and a leader in inclusion, diversity, accessibility, and reconciliation in protected and heritage places;
- Ecological Corridors: Connecting protected places to respond to climate change and biodiversity loss;
- Indigenous Leadership in Conservation: Advancing Indigenous leadership in conservation, traditional use, Indigenous knowledge, and Indigenous protected and conserved areas; and
- Protecting our Cultural Heritage: Advancing legislative protection for federal built heritage.
From October 19 to 30, 2020, Canadians, including youth and newcomers, are encouraged to participate and share their views on these important topics by visiting www.letstalkparkscanada.ca. This year, the roundtable will look a bit different. Virtual engagement sessions will be held with representatives from organizations with an interest in Parks Canada, including national indigenous organizations, environmental and cultural non-governmental organizations, and the tourism industry.
