Parks Canada Agency's Forward Regulatory Plan: April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2026

Enabling Act: Canada National Parks Act - Sub-section 14 (1)

Under the Act, any area of a national park or a national park reserve that exists in a natural state or that is capable of returning to a natural state may by regulation, be declared to be a wilderness area. The Minister may not authorize activities to be carried out in a wilderness area that are likely to impair the wilderness character of the area. Development and use that is inconsistent with the wilderness character is prohibited.

The proposed regulations would add new wilderness areas in the following five national parks: Riding Mountain National Park (Manitoba), La Mauricie National Park (Quebec), Banff National Park (Alberta) Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site (Nova Scotia) and Prince Edward Island National Park (Prince Edward Island).

There are no expected business impacts.

Parks Canada is responsible for the management of lands and waters under its administration. Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international) do not apply to this proposed regulatory amendment (or regulations) as all proposed activities will be undertaken on Parks Canada lands and/or waters. Parks Canada continues to seek opportunities to work with municipal, provincial/ territorial, federal and international partners; as well as incorporate best practices from other jurisdictions in the development and modernization of Parks Canada’s regulatory suite.

These regulations do not fall under any specific formal regulatory work plan including, but not limited to: the Canadian Free Trade Agreement Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table, the Canadian-European Union Regulatory Cooperation Forum, and the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council.

Public consultations about the proposed wilderness areas were held during the development of the management plans for four of the national parks between 2007 and 2016 and the development of the Lake Louise Ski Area Site Guidelines in 2015. Members of Indigenous groups and communities located in or surrounding the national parks were included in all consultations.

This is a long-term initiative; it is not expected to result in regulations being pre-published or published in their final form within the 24-month period.

• Riding Mountain National Park Management Plan Amendment 2012
• La Mauricie National Park of Canada Management Plan, 2021
• Banff National Park – Lake Louise Ski Area Site Guidelines 2015
• Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site – 2022 Management Plan
• Prince Edward Island National Park – 2017 Management Plan

Alison Lobsinger
Director, Policy, Legislative and Cabinet Affairs
Strategic Policy, Business and Digital Services
Telephone: (819) 775-5331
Alison.Lobsinger@pc.gc.ca

April 1, 2012

Enabling Act: Canada National Parks Act - Sub-section 16 (1)

The four major national parks regulations concerning land use permits and zoning in national parks (National Parks Building Regulations, National Parks of Canada Cottages Regulations, National Parks Signs Regulations, and the Town of Jasper Zoning Regulations) are outdated, leading to a patchwork approach in implementation, compliance, and enforcement. The Land Use Planning Regulations would replace the existing regulations in order to modernize Parks Canada's decision-making and meet best professional practices.

The proposed regulations would provide a foundation for an open and transparent planning permit process for new land uses and redevelopment proposals in areas designated for recreational and visitor services. It would provide updated compliance and enforcement tools, opportunities for public public and Indigenous input, and clear direction on how land use decisions are made at Parks Canada.

There may be business impacts. The "One-for-One" Rule and/or the Small Business Lens may apply.

Parks Canada is responsible for the management of lands and waters under its administration. Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international) do not apply to this proposed regulatory amendment (or regulations) as all proposed activities will be undertaken on Parks Canada lands and/or waters. Parks Canada continues to seek opportunities to work with municipal, provincial/ territorial, federal and international partners; as well as incorporate best practices from other jurisdictions in the development and modernization of the Parks Canada’s regulatory suite.

These regulations do not fall under any specific formal regulatory work plan including, but not limited to: the Canadian Free Trade Agreement Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table, the Canadian-European Union Regulatory Cooperation Forum, and the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council.

In 2018, Parks Canada conducted extensive in person and online consultations, based on a discussion paper of land use planning best practices, in order to determine key principles stakeholders wished to see reflected in the new permit process.

In 2019, further public consultations were held in Jasper concerning the Town of Jasper Zoning Regulations and local land use issues, including how to create a more flexible zoning regime and approaches to provide affordable housing options in the park community. What We Heard Reports for both engagement processes are available online.

On January 10, 2022, Parks Canada released the draft Land Use Planning Regulations and draft regulatory interpretive Guidelines for consideration. Parks Canada is reflecting on all coments received through the online platform and virtual meetings. A What We Heard Report will be released summarizing comments and setting out the next steps, including the regulatory approval process and the associated fee approval process.

On September 30, 2023, Parks Canada published the proposed regulations in Canada Gazette, Part I, for a 30-day comment period.

National planning permit process — About the consultations

Alison Lobsinger
Director, Policy, Legislative and Cabinet Affairs
Strategic Policy, Business and Digital Services
Telephone: (819) 775-5331
Alison.Lobsinger@pc.gc.ca

April 1, 2012

Enabling Act: Canada National Parks Act - Sub-section 16 (1)

Amendments to the regulations are required periodically to reflect changes in the aquatic ecosystem and conservation strategies to maintain sustainable populations of fish species in national parks. Amendments are also required to update technical terms and reflect the establishment of new national parks and obligations in new park establishment agreements.

There are no expected business impacts.

Parks Canada is responsible for the management of lands and waters under its administration. Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international) do not apply to this proposed regulatory amendment (or regulations) as all proposed activities will be undertaken on Parks Canada lands and/or waters. Parks Canada continues to seek opportunities to work with municipal, provincial/ territorial, federal and international partners; as well as incorporate best practices from other jurisdictions in the development and modernization of Parks Canada’s regulatory suite.

These regulations do not fall under any specific formal regulatory work plan including, but not limited to: the Canadian Free Trade Agreement Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table, the Canadian-European Union Regulatory Cooperation Forum, and the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council.

Parks Canada will be seeking input from interested Canadians on the proposed regulations. Consultations will include communications with key stakeholders and opportunities for the public to comment on-line through a Parks Canada consultation website. There is currently no target date for pre-publication of the proposed amendments in the Canada Gazette, Part I.

Alison Lobsinger
Director, Policy, Legislative and Cabinet Affairs
Strategic Policy, Business and Digital Services
Telephone: (819) 775-5331
Alison.Lobsinger@pc.gc.ca

October 1, 2013

Enabling Act: Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act, 2002

Parks Canada is developing general regulations under the Act to help protect and manage national Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs). There are no regulations currently in place. The new regulations would cover the following topics:

• Protection of natural and cultural heritage
• Commercial activities, land use and special events
• Research activities
• Visitor activities and public use
• Zoning, temporary closure and other area-based management measures.

There may be business impacts. The "One-for-One" Rule and/or the Small Business Lens may apply.

Parks Canada is responsible for the management and control of national marine conservation areas in relation to matters not assigned by law to another Minister of the Crown. Parks Canada has engaged with federal, Indigenous, provincial, territorial and municipal governments to share information and experiences, and to explore opportunities to reduce duplicative requirements and streamline processes, as well as to incorporate best practice from other jurisdiction in the development of these regulations.

Formal domestic and international cooperation efforts, such as the Canadian Free Trade Agreement Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table, the Canadian-European Union Regulatory Cooperation Forum, and the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council, do not apply to these proposed regulations.

A first phase of engagement with the public and stakeholders ended in Fall 2023. Parks Canada is continuing to engage with key partners. The target date for pre-publication of the draft regulations in Canada Gazette, Part I, is December 2024.

Alison Lobsinger
Director, Policy, Legislative and Cabinet Affairs
Strategic Policy, Business and Digital Services
Telephone: (819) 775-5331
Alison.Lobsinger@pc.gc.ca

April 1, 2017

Enabling Act: Species at Risk Act, 2002 (SARA)

Critical habitat is the habitat necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed endangered, threatened or extirpated species on Schedule 1 of SARA. SARA requires that the critical habitat of all listed species, when found on federal areas, be legally protected against destruction within 180 days after it is identified in a finalized SARA recovery strategy or action plan. From time to time, Parks Canada will make Ministerial Orders to protect critical habitat on areas that are under Parks Canada’s management , but that are not described under the Canada National Parks Act.

There may be business impacts. The "One-for-One" and/or the Small Business Lens may apply.

Parks Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans are responsible for the protection of critical habitat of threatened or endangered species under the Species at Risk Act. Regulatory cooperation with domestic (municipal, provincial/ territorial, federal) partners are sought on a case-by-case basis in accordance with obligations under the Act.

These regulations do not fall under any specific formal regulatory work plan including, but not limited to: the Canadian Free Trade Agreement Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table, the Canadian-European Union Regulatory Cooperation Forum, and the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council.

The recovery documents that identify critical habitat are prepared in cooperation with affected decision makers (e.g., other departments, provincial, territorial and First Nation governments) and in consultation with landowners and other directly affected persons (e.g., municipal governments, lease holders).

Parks Canada will consult with Indigenous groups and key stakeholders in the development of Ministerial Orders before publication in the Canada Gazette. These consultations are anticipated to occur during the 2024-2026 period.

The requirements for putting forward a Ministerial Order for protecting critical habitat are set out in the enabling legislation.

As the files are ongoing, target dates for publication follow legislative requirements following the identification of critical habitat.

Species at risk public registry

Alison Lobsinger
Director, Policy, Legislative and Cabinet Affairs
Strategic Policy, Business and Digital Services
Telephone: (819) 775-5331
Alison.Lobsinger@pc.gc.ca

April 1, 2014

Enabling Act: Various

On an ongoing basis, the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations reviews Parks Canada regulations for errors, omissions, discrepancies, and Official Language concordance. Issues identified by the Committee are brought to the attention of Parks Canada and amendments to the regulations will be made, as deemed necessary, to address the recommendations of the Committee.

The purpose of the Miscellaneous Amendment Regulations to Address Concerns of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations is to make clarifications and corrections to provisions within existing regulations and to make the links between sections of various regulations more apparent. They are also intended to clarify and facilitate the interpretation of Parks Canada regulations in order to ensure sound management of protected heritage places.

There are no expected business impacts.

Parks Canada is responsible for the management of lands and waters under its administration. Regulatory cooperation with domestic (municipal, provincial/ territorial, federal) partners are sought on a case-by-case basis with respect to recommendations on Parks Canada regulations from the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations.

These regulations do not fall under any specific formal regulatory work plan including, but not limited to: the Canadian Free Trade Agreement Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table, the Canadian-European Union Regulatory Cooperation Forum, and the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council.

These amendments to the regulations would not be controversial and are generally “housekeeping” in nature, addressing items identified by the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations. No public consultation on the proposals under the Miscellaneous Amendment Regulations to Address Concerns of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations are required.

The proposed amendments will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II. As the Committee’s work is ongoing, target dates for publication are to be determined.

Information on the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations

Alison Lobsinger
Director, Policy, Legislative and Cabinet Affairs
Strategic Policy, Business and Digital Services
Telephone: (819) 775-5331
Alison.Lobsinger@pc.gc.ca

April 1, 2012

Enabling Act: Rouge National Urban Park Act (2017)

Under the Act, the Governor in Council may make regulations concerning a range of topics related to the preservation, control and management of the Park. New Regulations for Rouge National Urban Park will provide clear requirements and expectations related to permitting and managing the use and occupancy of land; managing agriculture, businesses and special events; to allowing for temporary area closures for public safety and conservation reasons; and to managing scientific research.

There may be impacts to agricultural businesses in the park. The “One-for-One” and/or the Small Business Lens may apply.

Parks Canada will work with the Government of Ontario to evaluate regulatory cooperation opportunities in managing agriculture.

Parks Canada has undertaken several public, stakeholder and First Nation engagement during the Park establishment, the 2017 amendment to the Rouge National Urban Park Act (S.C. 2015, c. 10) and on the development of the Rouge National Urban Park Management Plan (2019). Numerous policy considerations were raised throughout this time and will be used to inform the development of regulations. Parks Canada will continue to engage key stakeholders and First Nations throughout the regulatory process.

There will be further opportunities for consultation on the proposed regulations after publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I. The target date for pre-publication of the proposed regulations in the Canada Gazette for a 60-day period is 2024.

For further information Rouge National Urban Park Management Plan (2019)

Alison Lobsinger
Director, Policy, Legislative and Cabinet Affairs
Strategic Policy, Business and Digital Services
Telephone: (819) 775-5331
Alison.Lobsinger@pc.gc.ca

April 1, 2023