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Office of The Auditor General Reports

The Auditor General has assessed Parks Canada Agency’s performance information presented in Section 2 of this report. This assessment is only a review level of assurance, and does not constitute an audit. The Auditor General’s Assessment Report is presented before the performance information in Section 2.

The Auditor General has audited Parks Canada Agency’s financial statements. These financial statements and the auditor’s report are presented in Section 3.

The Auditor General has not evaluated or audited any other sections of this report.

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Management Statement of Responsibility for Performance Information

I submit, for tabling in Parliament, the 2010/11 Departmental Performance Report for the Parks Canada Agency.

This document has been prepared based on the reporting principles contained in the Guide to the Preparation of Part III of the 2010/11 Estimates: Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports:

• It adheres to the specific reporting requirements outlined in the Treasury Board Secretariat guidance.
• It is based on the Agency’s Strategic Outcome and Program Activity Architecture which were approved by the Treasury Board.
• It presents consistent, comprehensive, balanced and reliable information.
• It provides a basis of accountability for the results achieved with the resources and authorities entrusted to it.
• It reports finances based on approved numbers from the Estimates and the Public Accounts of Canada.

In addition, the Parks Canada Agency Act requires the Auditor General of Canada to provide an assessment of the fairness and reliability of the performance information.

Management has established systems and practices designed to provide reasonable assurance of the fairness and reliability of the Agency’s performance information. Parks Canada is continually improving its financial and performance information, introducing new measures in some areas and enhancing data collection in others. Some information is based on management’s best estimates and judgements. Limitations on the quality of the information and plans for improvements are indicated in the report.

The Agency’s senior management oversees preparation of this document and approves the final report. In my view, the information is the best available and represents a comprehensive, balanced and transparent picture of the performance of Parks Canada for fiscal year 2010/11.

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Auditor General’s Assessment of Performance Information in Parks Canada Agency's 2010–11 Performance Report

Review Engagement Report

To the Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada Agency and the Minister of the Environment

What I Assessed

As required by the Parks Canada Agency Act, I have assessed the fairness and reliability of Parks Canada Agency’s performance information for 2010–2011 with respect to the objectives established in its 2010–2011 corporate plan.

Management’s Responsibility

The performance information reported in the Agency’s performance report and the objectives established in its corporate plan are the responsibility of management.

My Responsibility

My responsibility is to assess the fairness and reliability of the performance information included in the Agency’s performance report against the objectives established in its corporate plan. My assessment did not include the objectives set out in the corporate plan. My responsibility does not extend to assessing or commenting on the Agency’s actual performance.

The Nature of My Assessment

My assessment covered only the performance information included in the section of the Agency’s performance report titled “Analysis of program activities”. My assessment did not include the information referenced by Web links included in the report.

My assessment consisted of a review performed in accordance with Canadian generally accepted standards for review engagements established by the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AASB) and, accordingly, consisted primarily of enquiry, analytical procedures, and discussion related to the Agency’s performance information as supplied to me by the Agency. I conducted this assessment using the criteria for the assessment of fairness and reliability described in the Annex. There were no changes to the criteria from those of the prior year report.

My assessment is based on a review which provides a moderate level of assurance and does not constitute an audit. Consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the Agency’s performance information.

Conclusion

Based on my assessment, nothing has come to my attention that causes me to believe that the Agency’s performance information for 2010–2011, with respect to the objectives established in its corporate plan, is not, in all significant respects, fair and reliable using the criteria described in the Annex to this report.

Criteria for the Assessment of Fairness and Reliability
Office of the Auditor General of Canada

The following criteria were developed to assess the fairness and reliability of the information about the Agency’s performance with respect to the objectives in its corporate plan. Two key issues were addressed: Has the Agency reported on its performance with respect to its objectives? Is that information fair and reliable? Performance information with respect to objectives is fair and reliable if it enables Parliament and the public to judge how well the entity or program in question is performing against the objectives it set out to accomplish.

Fairness

Relevant The performance information reports in context, tangible, and important accomplishments against objectives and costs.

Meaningful The performance information describes expectations and provides benchmarks against which performance is compared.

Attributable The performance information demonstrates why the program made a difference.

Balanced A representative and clear picture of performance is presented, which does not mislead the reader.

Reliability

Reliable The performance information adequately reflects the facts.

These criteria were developed specifically for the assessment. The Parks Canada Agency has acknowledged that they were suitable for the assessment.
More information on the criteria is available on our Web site at
http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/meth_gde_e_10217.html

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Section 2: Analysis of Program Activities

Performance Status Legend

Exceeded: More than 100 percent of the expected level of performance (as evidenced by the indicator and target or planned activities and outputs) for the expected result identified in the corresponding Report on Plans and Priorities was achieved during the fiscal year.

Met all: 100 percent of the expected level of performance (as evidenced by the indicator and target or planned activities and outputs) for the expected result identified in the corresponding Report on Plans and Priorities was achieved during the fiscal year.

Mostly Met: 80 to 99 percent of the expected level of performance (as evidenced by the indicator and target or planned activities and outputs) for the expected result identified in the corresponding Report on Plans and Priorities was achieved during the fiscal year.

Somewhat Met: 60 to 79 percent of the expected level of performance (as evidenced by the indicator and target or planned activities and outputs) for the expected result identified in the corresponding Report on Plans and Priorities was achieved during the fiscal year.

Not Met: Less than 60 percent of the expected level of performance (as evidenced by the indicator and target or planned activities and outputs) for the expected result identified in the corresponding Report on Plans and Priorities was achieved during the fiscal year.

Strategic Outcome

Canadians have a strong sense of connection, through meaningful experiences, to their national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas and these protected places are enjoyed in ways that leave them unimpaired for present and future generations.

Parks Canada accomplishes its Strategic Outcome by ensuring Agency activities and investments are relevant to Canadians and thereby create meaningful experiences in the enjoyment of national heritage places. This, in turn, fosters a strong sense of connection in the hearts and minds of Canadians as these places are protected in ways that allow present and future generations to enjoy them.

Parks Canada has developed three tangible and measurable performance indicators that inform management of the Agency’s progress towards its Strategic Outcome. Contributing directly to these high-level expectations are the results of all of the Program Activities that comprise the Agency’s Program Activity Architecture. Measuring these results allows Parks Canada to assess its overall performance and to determine the progress the Agency has made in attaining its long-term goal.

Parks Canada has made great progress towards achieving its Strategic Outcome, surpassing its goal of improving its overall commemorative integrity rating in 2010/11, two years ahead of the target date. Continued investment in strategic initiatives, projects and activities has also helped to bring the Agency closer to meeting its objectives.

Performance Indicator, Target Date and Performance in 2010/11

1. Maintain or improve the overall ecological integrity in all national parks from March 2008 to March 2013

The Canada National Parks Act defines ecological integrity as follows: “with respect to a park, a condition that is determined to be characteristic of its natural region and likely to persist, including abiotic components and the composition and abundance of native species and biological communities, rates of change and supporting processes.” The Agency assesses ecological integrity by examining indicators that represent the major ecosystems of a park, such as forests, wetlands, and fresh water. Each indicator is assessed for its ecological condition (good, fair or poor) and the trend in that condition (improving, declining or stable). Collectively, these assessments provide a basis for understanding the overall ecological integrity of a national park.

As of March 31, 2011, all 42 national parks have identified key ecological integrity indicators. Thirty parks have determined the condition of one or more of these indicators and 24 have identified at least one trend. The state of ecological integrity is reported to Canadians in each park’s State of the Park Report, which is produced on a five-year cycle. The State of Protected Heritage Areas Report, which is published every two years, provides a picture of the state of ecological integrity across all national parks. Parks Canada’s performance related to this indicator will be evaluated in 2013.

From 2009/10 to 2014/15, Parks Canada is investing approximately $90 million for active management and restoration projects through the Action on the Ground initiative. This initiative uses a strategic approach that focusses primarily on improving the condition of priority ecological integrity indicators in targeted national parks.

In 2010/11, Parks Canada implemented a variety of projects that will contribute to maintaining and improving ecological integrity. Examples of these projects include improving the health of estuaries in Kouchibouguac National Park, supporting the recovery of the piping plover in national parks in the Atlantic region and the improving terrestrial ecosystems in Waterton Lakes National Park.

2. Improve the overall average commemorative integrity rating from 6.0/10 in March 2008 to 6.6/10 in March 2013

As of March 2011, Parks Canada achieved an overall average commemorative integrity rating of 6.8,ⁱⁱⁱ exceeding its target of 6.6 by 2013. This is based on data from the 133 of 167 sites evaluated as of that date, and new results for sites where reassessments have taken place during the period covered by this report. The remaining 34 evaluations will be conducted as part of the management planning process and their results included in future performance reports.

Parks Canada has gradually and consistently improved its overall average commemorative integrity rating over the past four years, from 6.0 in 2007/08, based on 119 baseline evaluations completed by that date, to 6.4 in 2008/09, 6.5 in 2009/10 and 6.8 in 2010/11.

Commemorative integrity is based on three elements: Cultural Resource Condition, Effectiveness of Communications and Selected Management Practices. Of the 20 sites Parks Canada re-evaluated in 2010/11, 10 saw improvements to their degree of impairment of commemorative integrity, while two noted increased impairment, resulting in an overall net improvement of commemorative integrity.

See Figure 1 for additional details on the re-evaluations conducted in 2010/11.

Figure 1: Results of 2010/11 Re-evaluations of Commemorative Integrity

National Historic Site	Previous Evaluation		2010/11 Re-evaluationiv
	Commemorative Integrity Score	Degree of Impairmentv	Commemorative Integrity Score	Degree of Impairment
Alexander Graham Bell NHS	8	Minor	9	Minor
Carleton Martello Tower NHS	8	Minor	5	Significant
Dalvay-by-the-Sea NHS	4	Significant	7	Minor
Fisgard Lighthouse NHS	8	Minor	10	None
Former Territorial Courthouse NHS	4	Significant	4	Significant
Fort Langley NHS	8	Minor	9	Minor
Fort McNab NHS	1	Severe	5	Significant
Fort Rodd Hill NHS	7	Minor	4	Significant
Fortress of Louisbourg NHS	6	Significant	6	Significant
Frenchman Butte NHS	5	Significant	8	Minor
Gitwangak Battle Hill NHS	8	Minor	9	Minor
HMCS Haida NHS	3	Major	8	Minor
Jasper House NHS	6	Significant	10	None
Jasper Park Information Centre NHS	5	Significant	9	Minor
Louis-Joseph Papineau NHS	6	Significant	6	Significant
Navy Island NHS	1	Severe	1	Severe
Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst NHS	7	Minor	8	Minor
Prince of Wales Tower NHS	5	Significant	9	Minor
Queenston Heights NHS	2	Major	8	Minor
Riding Mountain Park East Gate Registration Complex NHS	2	Major	4	Significant

Source: Parks Canada Commemorative Integrity Evaluation Data Bank

As of 2010/11, 65 percent (87) of the 133 national historic sites that have been evaluated so far exhibit no or minor impairment to their commemorative integrity, 29 percent (39) exhibit significant impairment, and six percent (7) show major or severe impairment. See Figure 2 for additional details.

Figure 2: Level of impairment of Commemorative Integrity at national historic sites

Level of Impairment	2008/09		2009/10		2010/11
	Number of Sites	Percentage of Total Number of Sites	Number of Sites	Percentage of Total Number of Sites	Number of Sites	Percentage of Total Number of Sites
No impairment	9	7%	9	7%	11	8%
Minor	70	53%	74	56%	76	57%
Significant	41	31%	40	30%	39	29%
Major	11	8%	8	6%	6	5%
Severe	2	1%	2	1%	1	1%
Total	133vi	100%	133vi	100%	133vi	100%

Source: Parks Canada Commemorative Integrity Evaluation Data Bank

3. 65 percent of Canadians report a personal connection to Parks Canada administered places by March 2014

In 2008/09, through the National Survey of Canadians, Parks Canada determined that approximately 55 percent of Canadians had a sense of personal connection to Canada’s national heritage places. Parks Canada’s performance related to personal connection will be assessed against this baseline in 2013/14.

In 2010/11, Parks Canada embarked on a number of Agency-wide initiatives designed to expose Canadians to the spirit, wonder and awe of Canada’s national heritage places and the Agency responsible for them, to inspire Canadians to visit these places and to help cultivate and nurture among Canadians a sense of connection to these places. These initiatives included celebratory activities associated with the 125^th anniversary of Canada’s first national park, Banff National Park, as well as feature episodes of television shows, television documentaries with related website and/or social media pages, and a targeted presence in print and social media.

The Agency recognizes that it is the cumulative impact of its long-term, sustained presence rather than a single activity or action that will influence Canadians’ level of appreciation and support for national heritage places.

Parks Canada’s tracking research demonstrates that Canadians’ overall awareness of the Agency and support for its mandate has remained stable in 2010/11. There have been small increases in awareness among the 18-34 age group as well as among adults with children, and recognition of the Agency’s corporate symbol has improved over the last year. An external study conducted in 2010/11 revealed that national parks were considered by Canadians as one of the top four defining symbols of Canada, along with universal health care, the Canadian flag and the national anthem. The percentage of Canadians who consider this true has increased over the last several years. If Parks Canada sustains its enhanced efforts to be relevant in the eyes of Canadians, the Agency anticipates seeing progress in its performance measures in 2014.

Program Activity 1: Heritage Places Establishment

Program Activity Description

This program includes systems planning, completing feasibility studies, research, consulting with stakeholders and the public, negotiating with other governments and Aboriginal organizations and obtaining ministerial approval, resulting in established national parks and national marine conservation areas and designated national historic sites of Canada and other heritage places. Canada’s national parks and national marine conservation areas, as well as the persons, places and events of national historic significance to Canada, are symbols to the world and are part of the fabric of the nation. Preservation of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage and making it available to Canadians for discovery and enjoyment is of key importance. Establishing heritage places is essential to enhancing pride, encouraging stewardship and giving expression to our identity as Canadians, and involving Canada in the internationally shared objective of protecting and commemorating the best of the world’s natural and cultural heritage.

Financial Resources
2010/11 ($000s)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending
24,311	32,742	21,686

Human Resources
2010/11 (Full-time Equivalent)
Planned	Actual	Difference
92	83	9

Parks Canada’s total authorities include $24.3 million acquired through the Main Estimates process, and $8.4 million mainly due to unused funds appropriated over a two-year period, for a total of $32.7 million. Actual expenditures were lower than the total authorities by $11.1 million mainly due to a reserve fund dedicated to the establishment of new national parks and national marine conservation areas.

Expected Result

Represented regions in the systems of national parks and national marine conservation areas; the system of national historic sites represents the breadth and diversity of Canada’s history.

Performance Indicators	Target and Date	Performance Status
Number of represented terrestrial natural regions in the system of national parks	Increase the number of represented terrestrial natural regions from 28 in March 2007 to 29 of 39 by March 2013	Performance will be assessed in 2013 Progress is outlined in the following text
Number of unrepresented regions with demonstrable progress in advancing through steps towards establishing national parks	Make demonstrable progress towards establishing national parks in three unrepresented regions by March 2011	Met All
Number of represented marine regions in the system of national marine conservation areas	Increase the number of represented marine regions from three in October 2007 to five of 29 by March 2013	Met All
Number of unrepresented regions with demonstrable progress in advancing through steps towards establishing national marine conservation areas	Make demonstrable progress towards establishing national marine conservation areas in two unrepresented regions by March 2011	Exceeded
Percentage of yearly commemorations for underrepresented themes in Canada’s history	33% of yearly commemorations are for underrepresented themes in Canada’s history	Mostly Met

National marine conservation areas and their establishment:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/progs/amnc-nmca/pr-sp/index.aspx

Information on under-represented themes:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/docs/r/system-reseau/sec4.aspx

National Commemoration Program:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/clmhc-hsmbc/ncp-pcn.aspx

Performance Summary and Analysis

Parks Canada worked towards increasing the number of represented terrestrial natural regions to 29 by March 2013 by furthering the Bathurst Island and Mealy Mountains proposals, which are now in the negotiation phase.

Parks Canada met its target of making demonstrable progress towards establishing national parks in three unrepresented natural regions: East Coast Boreal (Mealy Mountains proposal), Western High Arctic (Bathurst Island proposal) and Northwestern Boreal Uplands (Thaidene Nene in the East Arm of Great Slave Lake proposal).

With the establishment of the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, Parks Canada met its target of increasing the number of represented marine natural regions from three to five by March 2013, as Gwaii Haanas represents two marine regions.

Parks Canada also exceeded its goal of making demonstrable progress towards establishing national marine conservation areas in two unrepresented regions by March 2011. The Agency actually made progress in three unrepresented marine regions: Hecate Strait and the Queen Charlotte Shelf (Gwaii Haanas establishment) and Lancaster Sound (Lancaster Sound proposal).

Parks Canada mostly met its objective of 33 percent of yearly commemorations for under-represented themes in Canada’s history, with 31 percent of commemorations in 2010/11 related to Aboriginal history, Ethnocultural communities and Women.

Increasing the representation of terrestrial natural regions

The national parks system currently consists of 42 operational parks representing 28 of the 39 terrestrial natural regions, and totals 301,473 square kilometres, equivalent to three percent of Canada’s land mass. With the advancement of the Bathurst Island and Mealy Mountains national park proposals, Parks Canada is well positioned to meet its target of increasing the number of represented terrestrial natural regions from 28 in March 2007 to 29 of 39 by March 2013.

In addition to the Bathurst Island and Mealy Mountains proposals, the Agency made progress in the Thaidene Nene national park reserve proposal in the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, thereby meeting its goal of making demonstrable progress towards establishing national parks in three unrepresented regions. Details on the progress made in these three proposals, as well as other current proposals, are presented in Figure 3.

In addition to making progress in unrepresented regions, Parks Canada advanced the proposed Nááts'ihch'oh National Park Reserve in the Mackenzie Mountains terrestrial natural region and the designation of Sable Island as a national park within the Atlantic Coast Uplands terrestrial natural region. The Agency also launched an assessment to determine the feasibility of adding Bowen Island, near Vancouver, to the national park system.

The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve was formally protected under the Canada National Parks Act. Wapusk National Park was also formally protected under the Act in the last days of the previous fiscal year of 2009/10.

Figure 3: Progress of proposals to establish^vii and expand national parks

Terrestrial Natural Region and National Park Area of Interest	Progress Statement in 2010/11
Manitoba Lowlands (unrepresented) Manitoba Lowlands (Man.)	Feasibility Assessment (Step 3) Parks Canada signed a memorandum of understanding and began discussions with the Misipawistik Cree Nation and the Government of Manitoba to guide a community-based process to build a common understanding of the benefits and potential approaches to conserving lands within the traditional territory of the Cree.
Interior Dry Plateau (unrepresented) South Okanagan-Lower Similkameen (B.C.)	Feasibility Assessment (Step 3) Parks Canada continued to work with British Columbia on the assessment of the feasibility of the proposed national park reserve. The park reserve concept was refined over the year to address considerations raised by First Nations, the ranching community, and other stakeholders during the consultations.
Strait of Georgia Lowlands (represented) Bowen Island (B.C.)	Feasibility Assessment (Step 3) Parks Canada undertook a preliminary analysis of potential opportunities on Bowen Island over the winter of 2009/10, and in May 2010, in collaboration with the Bowen Island Municipality and in partnership with the Province of British Columbia, agreed to lead a streamlined feasibility assessment to study the potential for a national park reserve on Bowen Island.
Northwestern Boreal Uplands (unrepresented) Thaidene Nene in the East Arm of Great Slave Lake (N.W.T)	Negotiation of agreements (Steps 3 and 4) The Minister of the Environment signed a framework agreement with the Łutsel K’e Dene First Nation committing the parties to negotiate a park establishment agreement, and negotiations were initiated. Work continued on a social and economic study, as well as on the technical Mineral and Energy Resources Assessment.
Mackenzie Mountains (represented) Nááts'ihch'oh (N.W.T)	Negotiation of agreements (Step 4) Parks Canada conducted consultations on the proposed national park reserve and boundary options in the Northwest Territories and across Canada; a high number of responses (over 1,600) were received. Parks Canada also began the work to develop a final boundary proposal.
East Coast Boreal (unrepresented) Mealy Mountains (N.L.)	Negotiation of agreements (Step 4) Parks Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador worked on several key elements of the national park reserve proposal prior to launching formal negotiation of a federal-provincial land transfer agreement. Parks Canada also started discussions with several Aboriginal organizations to confirm next steps, including the drafting of a framework to guide the negotiation of an Impact and Benefit Agreement with the Innu Nation. Work to produce a legal description of the final park reserve boundary commenced.
Western High Arctic (unrepresented) Bathurst Island (NU)	Negotiation of agreements (Step 4) Parks Canada and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association launched and made progress on the negotiation of an Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement, which is required under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
Atlantic Coast Uplands (represented) Sable Island (N.S.)	Negotiation of agreements (Step 4) The governments of Canada and Nova Scotia announced in May 2010 their intent to designate Sable Island as a national park under the Canada National Parks Act. Parks Canada conducted consultations that demonstrated widespread support for protecting Sable Island as a national park, and commenced negotiation of a federal-provincial national park establishment agreement with the province.
Central Tundra (represented) Ukkusiksalik National Park (NU)	Passage of legislation (Step 5) A legal description of the final park boundary that will be added to the Canada National Parks Act to formally protect Ukkusiksalik National Park was completed. It is being updated to add one parcel of Inuit-owned land for inclusion in the park. The transfer of the parcel was provided for in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
Strait of Georgia Lowlands (represented) Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (B.C.)	Passage of legislation (Step 5) Gulf Islands National Park Reserve was formally protected under the Canada National Parks Act. This step was completed on August 18, 2010, when the title and description of the park was added to Schedule 2 of the Act by order-in-council following a Parliamentary review.
Hudson-James Lowlands (represented) Wapusk National Park (Man.)	Passage of legislation (Step 5) The regulatory process to formally add the title and legal description of Wapusk National Park to Schedule 1 of the Canada National Parks Act was completed on March 26, 2010.

Note: A region may be represented by a national park or national park reserve. A reserve is an area managed as a national park but where the lands are subject to one or more claims by Aboriginal people that have been accepted for negotiation by the Government of Canada. A region is considered to be represented when one or more national parks or park reserves are operational as a consequence of: signing a park establishment agreement (federal-provincial and/or Aboriginal agreements); the lands have been transferred to Canada (from the province); and/or the park/ reserve is in a schedule of the Canada National Parks Act.

Increasing the representation of marine regions

On June 17, 2010, Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site was formally protected under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act. This action increases the number of represented marine regions in the system from three to five as Gwaii Haanas represents both the Hecate Strait and the Queen Charlotte Shelf marine regions in the Pacific Ocean region.

With the addition of Gwaii Haanas, the national marine conservation area system currently consists of 4 operational marine areas representing five of the 29 marine regions and totalling 14,846 square kilometres in size.

In addition to its work on Gwaii Haanas, the Agency also made demonstrable progress on the proposed national marine conservation area for Lancaster Sound, with a Government of Canada announcement in December 2010 on its position on a potential future boundary for a national marine conservation area. Further details on the progress in establishing national marine conservation areas in unrepresented regions can be found in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Progress of proposals to establish^viii national marine conservation areas

Marine Region and National Marine Conservation Area of Interest	Progress Statement in 2010/11
Lancaster Sound (unrepresented) Lancaster Sound (NU)	Feasibility assessment (Step 3) The Government of Canada announced its position on a potential future boundary for a national marine conservation area in Lancaster Sound, Nunavut. The proposed boundary encompasses 44,300 square kilometres of marine waters within the Lancaster Sound marine region of the national marine conservation area system.
Strait of Georgia (unrepresented) Southern Strait of Georgia (B.C.)	Feasibility assessment (Step 3) Parks Canada continued to work with the Government of British Columbia in assessing the feasibility of establishing a national marine conservation area reserve in the southern Strait of Georgia, which includes the waters adjacent to Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.
Magdalen Shallows (unrepresented) Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine (Que.)	Feasibility assessment (Step 3) The feasibility assessment remains in its early stages as Parks Canada continued working towards a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Quebec to guide the assessment work.
Hecate Strait/Queen Charlotte Shelf (unrepresented) Gwaii Haanas NMCA Reserve and Haida Heritage Site (B.C.)	Passage of legislation (Step 5) Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site was formally protected under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act. This step was completed in June, 2010 by adding the title and legal description of the marine area to Schedule 2 of the Act by order-in-council following a Parliamentary review.

Note: A marine region is considered to be represented when one or more national marine conservation areas or reserves are operational as a consequence of: signing an establishment agreement (federal-provincial and/or Aboriginal agreements); seabed and any lands have been transferred to Canada (from province); and/or the national marine conservation area/reserve is in a schedule of the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act.

Commemoration of under-represented themes in Canada’s history

The Minister of the Environment made eleven commemorations related to under-represented themes in Canada’s history in 2010/11, accounting for 31 percent of the total number of commemorations and mostly meeting the target of 33 percent. Three of these commemorations were related to women’s history, three to Aboriginal history and four to the history of Ethnocultural communities. One commemoration, Marie Marguerite Rose (1717–1757) National Historic Person, touched more than one theme. See Figure 5 for further details.

In 2010/11, Parks Canada unveiled commemorative Government of Canada plaques for 35 places, persons and events of national historic significance. Under the Aboriginal history theme, there were three important commemorations, one of which was Pointe-du-Buisson National Historic Site of Canada. For 5,000 years this plateau was a favoured portage and camp site for Aboriginal peoples. Its rich archaeological record, including thousands of preserved bones of many species that attest to the importance of fishing there, has made the site a vital resource for understanding Aboriginal history in the region.

The Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre National Historic Site of Canada is a poignant addition to the commemoration of the history of Ethnocultural communities. A powerful reminder of the forced displacement of the Japanese-Canadian population of the West Coast during the Second World War, the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre is one of the few places that has preserved traces of this tragic episode. Dedicated to remembrance, it constitutes an important place of memory for the Japanese-Canadian community.

Under the theme of women’s history, the commemoration of Mona Gordon Wilson (1894–1981) as a National Historic Person recognizes the important work Wilson did in establishing and improving access to public health in Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and abroad. In addition to serving in both the First and Second World Wars, Wilson worked tirelessly to expand nursing services in Prince Edward Island to include inoculation, dental hygiene and tuberculosis care, laying the foundation of the province’s public health program.

In previous years, Parks Canada reported on ministerial designations rather than commemorations. In 2010/11, the Agency shifted its focus to commemorations (i.e. plaque unveilings) to better capture the scope of Parks Canada’s involvement in the National Commemoration Program and of its responsibilities that go beyond the ministerial designation process, such as writing of plaque texts, casting and delivering plaques, organizing unveiling ceremonies and installing plaques.

Figure 5: Ministerial commemorations in 2010/11 by type and by under-represented theme

	Total Commemorations	Under-represented Themes
Type	Number	Ethnocultural communities	Women	Aboriginal history	Ethnocultural communities & Women	Percentage	Total
Places	14	1	0	2	0	21%	3
Persons	11	1	2	1	1	45%	5
Events	10	2	1	0	0	30%	3
Total	35	4	3	3	1	31%	11

Source: Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada Secratariat database and Directory of Designations of National Historic Significance of Canada.

Note: Totals may not agree due to rounding.

Lessons Learned

Parks Canada attributes much of its success to the positive and productive relationships it strives to build and maintain with groups that have the strongest interest and involvement in its work. The establishment of national parks and national marine conservation areas requires a high level of engagement on the part of provincial governments and Aboriginal peoples. The designation and commemoration of persons, places and events of historic importance equally demands the active participation of stakeholders, partners and community groups.

Over the course of the past few years, the positive influence of these relationships have been evident in the progress Parks Canada has made in protecting lands and waters of national significance and in identifying nominations for new commemorations to ensure the representation of the breadth and diversity of Canada’s history. One of the principal reasons for this progress is that most of the organizations and groups involved shared a common vision and collaborative approach to protecting and presenting our nation’s natural and cultural heritage.

This realization on the part of the Agency has led to changes to the feasibility assessment process in the establishment of national parks and national marine conservation areas that emphasize the development and maintenance of collaborative relationships. While Parks Canada continues to gather information on the natural and cultural values of proposed sites, it also works to understand the challenges that provincial and territorial governments, Aboriginal peoples and local communities must address with each proposal, and to develop potential solutions or management actions that address these challenges.

Program Activity 2: Heritage Resources Conservation

Program Activity Description

This program includes maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity in national parks through protection of natural resources and natural processes; ensuring the commemorative integrity of national historic sites managed by Parks Canada and influencing the commemorative integrity of those managed or owned by third parties; the protection and management of cultural resources under the administration of Parks Canada; and the sustainable use of national marine conservation areas including protection of unique marine ecosystems. This program also includes fulfilling legal responsibilities assigned to Parks Canada by the Species at Risk Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The protection of Canada’s most special natural and cultural resources ensures that current and future generations will enjoy a system of protected heritage areas.

Financial Resources
2010/11 ($000s)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending
240,482	241,313	215,947

Human Resources
2010/11 (Full-time Equivalent)
Planned	Actual	Difference
1,283	1,234	49

Parks Canada’s total authorities include $240.5 million acquired through the Main Estimates process. The Agency saw no significant change in its planned spending and total authorities. Actual expenditures were lower than the total authorities by $25.4 million mainly due to changes in priorities and programs.

Expected Result

Management actions result in improvements to ecological integrity indicators in national parks, and the state of cultural resources in national historic sites is improved.

Performance Indicators	Target and Date	Performance Status
Number of national parks with at least one improved ecological integrity indicator	20 national parks improve one ecological integrity indicator from March 2008 to March 2014	Performance will be assessed in 2014 Progress is outlined in the following text
Percentage of the condition of cultural resources and management practices elements of commemorative integrity rated as poor are improved	70% of the condition of cultural resources elements of commemorative integrity rated as poor are improved within five years	Somewhat Met
	70% of the management practices elements of commemorative integrity rated as poor are improved within five years	Exceeded

Definition of the concept of Commemorative Integrity:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/docs/pc/guide/guide/commemorative_1_0/commemorative_1_1.aspx

Cultural Resource Management Policy:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/docs/pc/poli/princip/sec3.aspx

List of National Historic Sites administered by Parks Canada:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/lhn-nhs/recherche-search_e.asp?s=1

Performance Summary and Analysis

As of March 31, 2011, all 42 national parks have identified key indicators of ecological integrity, an improvement from 39 parks in 2008/09. Thirty parks have determined the condition of one or more of these indicators (up from 25 in 2008/09), and 24 parks^ix have determined at least one trend (up from 23 in 2008/09). Parks Canada’s performance in the improvement of ecological indicators will be evaluated in 2014 against the baselines established in 2008/09. The target to improve one ecological integrity indicator in 20 national parks by March 2014 applies to the 32 southern parks.

In 2010/11, 50 percent of national historic sites (two of four) that had obtained a poor rating in 2005/06 for the Condition of Cultural Resources element of commemorative integrity improved that rating, as well as 75 percent of sites (three of four) that had obtained a poor rating in 2005/06 for the Selected Management Practices element of commemorative integrity.

Improving ecological integrity

In 2010/11, through the Action on the Ground initiative, Parks Canada implemented active management and restoration projects to address some of the most pressing ecological integrity issues in 24 national parks. Figure 6 provides details for six examples of these projects.

Improvements in ecological integrity indicators may be realized in one of three ways: by improving the condition of the indicator (e.g. from poor to fair, or from fair to good); by improving the trend of the indicator (e.g. from declining to stable); or by meeting management effectiveness targets. Because ecological integrity indicators represent complex ecosystems that are sometimes slow to respond to management interventions, the third method measures the achievement of ecological integrity outcomes at a smaller scale (e.g. the ratio of native grasses to exotic grasses is improved by 15 percent in the area of the restoration).

Parks Canada continued to develop ecological integrity monitoring programs that measure and report ecological condition and change for parks in the North. Given the large size and remote locations of these national parks, satellitebased remote sensing tools will be an important component of park monitoring programs. In 2010/11, through the ParkSPACE program funded by the Canadian Space Agency, Parks Canada, in collaboration with scientists at the Canadian Centre for Remote Sensing, focussed on the development of 16 satellite-based monitoring protocols that are specifically designed to measure change in Arctic ecosystems. The ParkSPACE team also developed a draft of an operational plan that identifies tasks and assesses the human and financial resources required over the long-term to measure ecological integrity by remote sensing—a second key deliverable of the ParkSPACE program. Some ParkSPACE tools are already in use to design monitoring programs and to monitor wildlife populations.

The combined achievements of Parks Canada’s active management efforts contribute to the improvement of ecological integrity in national parks. Parks Canada’s direct and concrete conservation actions on the ground, such as stream restoration, prescribed burning and hyper-abundant species management, contribute to improving ecological integrity and mitigate the risks associated with environmental forces such as climate change, species at risk, invasive species, and the loss of biodiversity. Healthy, intact ecosystems are a key component of providing Canadians with meaningful experiences and are crucial to keeping parks unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. With an ecological integrity monitoring and reporting system in place, national principles and guidelines for ecological restoration and targeted multi-year active management and restoration initiatives underway, Parks Canada is well-positioned to achieve ecological integrity improvements by 2014.

Figure 6: Examples of Action on the Ground projects and their achievements

National Park	Ecological Integrity Indicator to be Improved	Overall Project Objective	Project Achievements 2010/11	Ecological Integrity Improvement Expected by March 2014
Banff, Glacier, Jasper, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke, Waterton Lakes and Yoho NPs	Aquatic	To restore and reconnect our waters	Restored three priority culverts to improve the connectivity of aquatic ecosystems Surveyed seven additional crossings and restoration designs are underway	Improvement in indicator trend
Fundy NP	Freshwater	To improve the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems	Undertook activities to restore water levels in streams, to improve shoreline stability and to restore stream flow Installed appropriate in-stream structures and removed suspended culverts to improve fish habitat structure and to ensure connectivity of streams for fish passage, resulting in the observation of fish using the passages shortly after construction Planted trees and shrubs to increase native biodiversity along the shoreline, resulting in the observation of increased wildlife	Management effectiveness targets will be met
Gwaii Haanas NPR and Haida Heritage Site	Streams	To restore the ecological integrity of logging-affected streams and riparian areas through rehabilitation of ecosystem structure and function	Completed restoration activities to improve salmon habitat along 410 metres of highest priority streams Installed 17 in-stream structures to create refugia for salmon spawning Developed and implemented forest restoration activities, including creation of gaps and understory protection, to restore degraded shoreline forest habitat adjacent to targeted streams Collected salmon broodstock and completed hatchery rearing of fry for 2011 introduction	Improvement in indicator trend
Kejimkujik, Kouchibouguac and Prince Edward Island NPs	Coastal	To recover piping plover (species at risk) in Atlantic national parks	Implemented predator management and captive rearing strategies to increase the piping plover population Tested and used predator management strategies to protect nests Met the productivity target of 1.65 fledglings per pair in Kouchibouguac and Kejimkujik NPs Tested captive rearing as a tool for improving recovery success Recovered four abandoned eggs and released two captive-reared chicks into the population	Improvement in indicator trend
Kouchibouguac NP	Coastal	To improve the health of estuaries	Reduced fish population loss by implementing commercial license retirement programs Achieved the withdrawal of 28 of 34 clam fishers, 16 of 19 smelt fishers, 10 of 14 eel fishers and five of six gaspereau fishers, resulting in improved reports from recreational fishers Re-introduced 35,000 parrs (young salmon) into two rivers to improve salmon population status and contribute to the recovery of Atlantic salmon populations Planned re-introduction of an additional 15,000 parrs, was prevented due to disease in the hatchery. Will develop a new approach and re-introductions will resume in the future	Improvement in indicator trend
Waterton Lakes NP	Terrestrial	To improve the ecological integrity of terrestrial ecosystems	Planted approximately 1,000 native plant seedlings to restore the native plant community Implemented prescribed burns at 11 plots to improve conditions for their success Actively controlled 30 non-native plant species through mechanical and chemical treatment to reduce invasive alien species Implemented a series of restoration plots in the former trade waste pit designed to restore the native fescue prairie through seed collection, propagation and planting Planned prescribed burns to restore the natural fire cycle, an important ecological process for the grassland area, but deferred them due to a wet season. Collected baseline data that will be used to set management effectiveness targets and refine prescribed burn plans for future years	Improvement in indicator trend

Improving commemorative integrity

Each year, Parks Canada conducts a focussed site-level reassessment of all elements of commemorative integrity that received a poor rating five years previously. In 2010/11, Parks Canada conducted reassessments at the four national historic sites that had received a poor rating in 2005/06 for the Condition of Cultural Resources element of commemorative integrity, and at the four sites that had received a poor rating in the same year for Selected Management Practices. Fifty percent of the sites (two of four) reassessed for the Condition of Cultural Resources improved their ratings, and 75 percent of sites (three of four) reassessed for Selected Management Practices showed improved ratings. Details are provided in Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 7: 2010/11 Reassessment results of national historic sites with poor ratings in 2005/06 for the Condition of Cultural Resources element of Commemorative Integrity

National Historic Sites with Poor Ratings	2010/11 Rating	Progress Statement	Performance Status
Fortress of Louisbourg NHS	Poor	Cultural resources are subject to ongoing and negative impacts from two different and significant threats – coastal erosion and re-vegetation of the siege sites. The scale of these threats is such that the resources are, in some cases, beyond the practical ability to reverse them. As a consequence, the resource condition element rating remained poor in spite of efforts made over the past five years. Efforts to carry out rescue archaeology, presentation of the resources by alternate means, as well as the development of a Coastal Heritage Conservation Plan, are ongoing. While they are important in mitigating the impact of some of the impairments imposed by the forces of nature at this site, it is not feasible at this time to reverse the situation.	Not Met
HMCS Haida NHS	Fair	The site made improvements to the superstructure and the deck of the ship. Specific component elements were also restored, including the electrical system and several interior spaces. The overall condition of historical objects associated with the ship has improved through conservation work to many objects and improvements in storage conditions.	Met All
Navy Island NHS	Poor	Monitoring of the shoreline in 2007 and 2008 showed that erosion is proceeding at an alarming rate. The high water levels in the Niagara River have caused significant erosion of all the island’s low-lying beaches that had previously acted as an important buffer against erosion of the shoreline bluffs. From time to time, the situation is monitored for the impact on archaeological resources and salvage archaeology is undertaken. However, erosion continues to pose a threat to cultural resources on the island.	Not Met
Queenston Heights NHS	Good	Brock’s Monument is a very prominent component of Queenston Heights Park, a War of 1812 national historic site. Brock’s Monument conservation work was undertaken in 2007/08 and addressed all concerns. For example, mortar is now stable in decorative stonework, preventing water penetration.	Met All

Source: Parks Canada Commemorative Integrity Evaluation Data Bank

 

Figure 8: 2010/11 Reassessment results of national historic sites with poor ratings in 2005/06 for the Selected Management Practices element of Commemorative Integrity

National Historic Sites with Poor Ratings	2010/11 Rating	Progress Statement	Performance Status
Dalvay-by-the-Sea NHS	Fair	Improvements include the development of an impact assessment on cultural resources as a result of the introduction of a nearby wind turbine, improved communication and collaboration among Parks Canada’s operational staff and improved access to documentation necessary for the management of the site.	Met All
HMCS Haida NHS	Fair	The improvement in the rating reflects the priority work that was done to the deck and to the collection of historical objects associated with the ship. Parks Canada is working toward addressing the strategic direction for the collection, the condition of the hull, and the formalization of a maintenance plan.	Met All
Navy Island NHS	Poor	Due to limited access to the site, issues identified through evaluation continue to threaten cultural resources. Parks Canada recognizes the need to develop integrated strategies to address ongoing erosion, wildlife and vegetation growth.	Not Met
Riding Mountain Park East Gate Registration Complex NHS	Fair	This improvement is mainly due to the completion of the inventory of landscapes and landscape features, an improvement in record keeping, as well as in monitoring and maintenance practices related to cultural resources. The park is working on an integrated plan for the site that would address communication of the historic values of the site, adaptive re-use of buildings and overall visitor experience and public education opportunities.	Met All

Source: Parks Canada Commemorative Integrity Evaluation Data Bank

Since 2007, when the reassessment of sites with poor ratings in commemorative integrity elements began, improvements have been made at 17 of 21 such sites, due to investments made by Parks Canada. Sixty-seven percent (eight of 12) of the sites that had a poor rating for the Condition of Cultural Resources element of commemorative integrity improved that rating, while 80 percent (12 of 15) of the sites with a poor rating for the Selected Management Practices element upgraded their rating, contributing to an improvement in the overall commemorative integrity of national historic sites. Investments are ongoing and the trend in commemorative integrity has continued upward year over year with rating improvements outweighing declines.

In 2010/11, the overall commemorative integrity rating increased to 6.8/10, surpassing the 2013 target of 6.6. Part of this accelerated progress can be attributed to the increase in Parks Canada’s available investment funds made possible by Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The following are examples of these investments:

• Fort McNab National Historic Site, Nova Scotia – Roof repair, concrete repair, installation of original guns and landscaping;
• Fort Langley National Historic Site, British Columbia – Replacement of the roof and failing timbers at the Store House, addressing of water issues and treating the exterior of the building, improvements to the security and fire systems; and
• HMCS Haida National Historic Site, Ontario – Repairs to the 3/50 Gun Deck and aft end of the Quarter Deck, stopping the penetration of water into compartments below.

Lessons Learned

Conservation efforts require a sound methodology to measure the condition and trend over time of our natural and cultural resources in order to identify priority areas for maintenance and improvement. This is equally true for both ecological integrity in our national parks and commemorative integrity at national historic sites.

Factors beyond Parks Canada’s control, such as climate change, invasive alien species, public use and natural disasters, can affect commemorative and ecological integrity and play a role in the success of management interventions. This demands a better capacity to understand, predict, respond to and recover from these situations in the future.

Monitoring efforts are required to determine necessary management interventions, especially since successful restoration may only be seen over the long term. Parks Canada is continuing to develop and implement monitoring and restoration activities.

Equally important is the benefit of having on hand at all times an accurate determination of remediation requirements as well as basic project plans supported by impact assessment. This was demonstrated by the fact that a number of Parks Canada’s national parks and national historic sites were prepared to play a significant role under Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

Program Activity 3: Public Appreciation and Understanding

Program Activity Description

This program activity aims to increase Canadians’ understanding, appreciation, support and engagement with respect to the natural and historical heritage of Parks Canada administered places. This is accomplished by reaching Canadians at home, at leisure, at school and in their communities through relevant and effective communication and public outreach education initiatives as well as by engaging many stakeholders and partners in the development and implementation of the Agency’s future direction.

Financial Resources
2010/11 ($000s)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending
29,371	51,052	50,823

Human Resources
2010/11 (Full-time Equivalent)
Planned	Actual	Difference
293	410	117

Parks Canada’s total authorities include $29.4 million acquired through the Main Estimates process and $21.7 million of adjustments to mainly reflect changes in priorities and programs, for a total of $51.1 million.

Expected Result

Canadians appreciate the significance of heritage places administered by Parks Canada and support their protection and presentation.

Performance Indicator	Target and Date	Performance Status
Percentage of Canadians that appreciate the significance of heritage places administered by Parks Canada	60% of Canadians appreciate the significance of heritage places administered by Parks Canada by March 2014	Performance will be assessed in 2014 Progress is outlined in the following text
Percentage of Canadians that support the protection and presentation of places administered by Parks Canada	80% of Canadians support the protection and presentation of places administered by Parks Canada by March 2014	Performance will be assessed in 2014 Progress is outlined in the following text

Performance Summary and Analysis

In 2010/11, Parks Canada undertook celebratory, media and outreach initiatives to reach, inspire, and engage Canadians. Through its 2008/09 National Survey of Canadians, Parks Canada learned that 53 percent of Canadians appreciate the significance of heritage places, and that 67 percent of Canadians support protecting and presenting the national heritage places it administers. The Agency is now working towards increasing these percentages by 2014, by reaching out to Canadians where they are and by providing relevant opportunities for Canadians to interact with Parks Canada.

In 2010/11, the Agency undertook a number of initiatives to inspire Canadians to celebrate and appreciate their natural and cultural heritage. Parks Canada celebrated the 125^th anniversary of Canada’s first national park—Banff National Park of Canada—with the release of a commemorative book entitled Canada’s National Parks – a Celebration. The book, produced by Canopy, was available at over 130 bookstores nationally. In October 2010, the Canadian Mint issued a silver one-kilo coin that depicts striking features and landmarks of Banff National Park. A commemorative silver dollar coin was also issued in January 2011 by the Royal Canadian Mint to celebrate Parks Canada’s centennial.

Parks Canada made a concerted effort to reach out to Canadians through multiple media platforms and with the assistance of a variety of partners. In terms of broadcasts, the 125^th anniversary celebration of Banff National Park was featured on Canada AM (CTV), which aired live on location from the park. Three episodes of the “Rick Mercer Report” (CBC) featured national parks, national historic sites, and the work of Parks Canada staff. A 13-part series on Planet Echo (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network) called the “The Remarkables” featured short segments on national parks that aimed to inspire children and adults to celebrate and nurture Canada’s environment. Another 13-part series entitled “National Parks Project” combined the country’s best music and filmmaking talent with the grandeur of Canada’s national parks. It premiered on the Discovery World HD channel in March 2011, with promotional stories on “ETalk” (CTV) and in the National Post. Seven new episodes of “A Park for all Seasons” (Oasis High Fidelity HDTV), a series that premiered in January 2010, were aired between January and March 2011. Reruns of a former Parks Canada collaborative series, “Great Canadian Parks” (1996), were also featured on TV Ontario (TVO) with 37 episodes airing in 2010/11.

Parks Canada took advantage of social media by launching a Facebook page and Twitter account. During the period covered by this report, Parks Canada “tweeted” 1,455 times (an average of four tweets per day) and had a combined Facebook/Twitter following of almost 7,000 people.

Parks Canada reached out to Canadians through print media as well. In 2010/11, the Agency and Canada’s national heritage places were featured in issues of popular magazines (Canadian Geographic and Maclean’s), travel publications (VIA Rail’s Destinations and West Jet’s up!), and niche market magazines (Canada’s History, explore and Archaeology). Many of these publications had related web components, such as special web pages and/or online versions of stories with more interactive details. Feature stories about Parks Canada and national heritage places appeared in Canada’s national newspapers (The Globe & Mail and the National Post), and included a special series celebrating Parks Canada’s centennial that began in March 2011.

Parks Canada also brought national heritage places to Canadians through a variety of outreach endeavours. In collaboration with VIA Rail, the Agency had uniformed interpreters on board the Miramichi to Halifax Ocean Route train in summer 2010 as part of a pilot program. Through this initiative, Parks Canada staff interacted with almost 4,000 passengers during a 10-week period. On the west coast, the Coastal Naturalists program exposed nearly 200,000 people to information about national parks and marine environments on approximately 1,206 BC Ferries’ Vancouver to Victoria crossings between June and September 2010. In both cases, passenger feedback indicated that the experiences enhanced their interest in learning more about nature, history and/or heritage places.

Finally, through the Agency’s Canada’s Greatest Summer Job initiative, 32 university students spent their summer learning about national parks and national historic sites and produced videos about their experiences. Five of the 32 films were selected and presented at the 35th annual Banff Mountain Film Festival in November 2010. The films were then presented in 21 cities across the country between December 4 and March 31 as part of the touring edition of the same festival. The five videos were viewed over 6,000 times since January 2011 on Parks Canada’s YouTube channel.

Parks Canada also planned and/or enhanced a number of initiatives during 2010/11 to reach Canadians where they live, work and play and will unveil them in 2011/12 as part of the Agency’s centennial celebrations. The initiatives are designed to expand Parks Canada’s reach in Canada’s largest urban areas, where three in every 10 Canadians live, and to raise awareness of the Agency and a sense of pride in Canada’s network of national heritage places. The initiatives include a media presence, special events and other engagement opportunities, with a particular focus on youth.

Lessons Learned

Many things compete for the time and attention of Canadians. Parks Canada has learned that to reach and engage Canadians in the discovery, appreciation and support of national heritage areas, the Agency has to be proactive and present in a sustained manner, rather than embark on ad hoc and occasional activities. It is the cumulative, long-term impact of this presence that will influence Canadians’ overall appreciation and support of Canada’s national heritage areas by keeping these places top of mind, and will allow Parks Canada to make progress towards its goals. Parks Canada will build on its 2010/11 efforts to connect Canadians where they live, work and play with national heritage places as the Agency celebrates its centennial in 2011/12.

Parks Canada appreciates the valuable contribution of its stakeholders and partners toward achieving its mandate. Parks Canada also recognizes that to extend its reach, through media and outreach endeavours, especially in Canada’s largest urban areas, it needs to work closely with its partners. Parks Canada worked with a diverse mix of public and not-for-profit organizations in 2010/11. Through its 2009 Stakeholder and Partner Engagement Survey, Parks Canada learned that its stakeholders and partners would like more meaningful opportunities to be engaged with the Agency. For example, nature-oriented organizations trying to instill a love of nature among the nation’s youth may be motivated to become involved in creating nature-based playgrounds in urban areas inspired by national parks. To this end, in 2011/12, Parks Canada will be seeking a range of relevant opportunities to engage stakeholders and partners in a manner that is aligned with their interests but that also helps the Agency reach Canadians where they live, work and play, and to kindle that sense of connection to Canada’s cultural and natural heritage.

Program Activity 4: Visitor Experience

Program Activity Description

This program supports the opportunities provided for the approximately 22 million person visits that are made annually to Canada’s national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas by Canadians and international visitors. The visitor experience is the sum total of visitors’ personal interaction with the protected heritage place that helps them create meaning and establish connection with the place. The experience begins with awareness of the site followed by planning the visit, travelling to and welcoming and orientation upon arrival. During the visitor’s time on site, it includes participation in recreational and interpretive activities and the use of accommodation, trails, facilities, services and supporting infrastructure. This is followed by departure and the post-visit relationship. Investments in the different stages of the visitor experience cycle facilitate opportunities for enjoyment and learning, leading to a sense of personal connection and the continued relevance of Canada’s protected heritage places for Canadians.

Financial Resources
2010/11 ($000s)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending
267,901	337,640	347,803

Human Resources
2010/11 (Full-time Equivalent)
Planned	Actual	Difference
1,962	2,189	227

Parks Canada’s total authorities include $267.9 million acquired through the Main Estimates process, and $69.7 million in additional funding received mainly through Canada’s Economic Action Plan for improvements to national historic sites and visitor facilities, for a total of $337.6 million. Actual expenditures were higher than the total authorities by $10.2 million and mainly reflect Parks Canada’s investment in improvements to national historic sites and visitor facilities, in addition to the funding received through Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

Expected Result

Visitors at surveyed locations feel a sense of personal connection to the places visited.

Performance Indicator	Target and Date	Performance Status
Percentage of visitors that consider the place is meaningful to them	On average, 85% of visitors at surveyed locations consider the place meaningful	Mostly Met
Percentage of visitors that are satisfied with their visit	On average, 90% of visitors at surveyed locations are satisfied with their visit	Exceeded
Percentage of visitors that are very satisfied with their visit	On average, 50% of visitors at surveyed locations are very satisfied with their visit	Exceeded

Performance Summary and Analysis

Parks Canada conducts its Visitor Information Program survey every year at selected national parks and national historic sites to determine the level of visitors’ satisfaction with the products and services offered at the location visited. In 2010/11, the Agency administered the survey at four national parks and 15 national historic sites.

Parks Canada mostly met its performance target of an average of 85 percent of visitors at surveyed locations who consider the place is meaningful to them. In 2010/11, on average, 84 percent of visitors at surveyed locations felt the place was meaningful to them. Over the last three years, the overall annual average has remained relatively stable, fluctuating from 86 percent in 2008/09, to 78 percent in 2009/10, to the current 84 percent.

In 2010/11, Parks Canada exceeded its performance target with respect to visitor satisfaction at surveyed locations. The overall average of visitors who were satisfied and very satisfied with their visit to the Parks Canada places that conducted a Visitor Information Program survey in 2010/11 is 95 percent and 72 percent, respectively. Over the last 11 years, the overall average is 95 percent and 69 percent respectively.

Meaningfulness

Parks Canada asked visitors if the national park or national historic site they visited was meaningful to them, thus providing one indication of their personal sense of connection to the place. 2010/11 marked the third year that visitors were asked this question. The results for the places surveyed in 2010/11 are shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9: Percentage of visitors that consider the park/site meaningful to them

Location Surveyed	Total
Banff Park Museum NHS	77%
Bar U Ranch NHS	94%
Dawson Historical Complex NHS	93%
Dredge No. 4 NHS	92%
Elk Island NP	79%
Fort Chambly NHS	71%
Fort St. James NHS	90%
Fortress of Louisbourg NHS	88%
Fundy NP	72%
Kouchibouguac NP	78%
Lachine Canal NHS	73%
Laurier House NHS	87%
Lower Fort Garry NHS	91%
Marconi NHS	89%
Prince Edward Island NP	72%
Rocky Mountain House NHS	87%
Ryan Premises NHS	89%
The Fur Trade at Lachine NHS	84%
Woodside NHS	86%
Average for 2010/11 surveys only	84%
Agency overall average (3 years)	83%

Source: Visitor Information Program (VIP)
Note: Meaningfulness has been measured since 2008. The overall average is based on 48 locations surveyed between 2008 and 2010.

The reasons visitors to Parks Canada’s protected places develop a sense of connection to them are inherently personal and thus inherently diverse. Feedback from visitors at the locations surveyed in 2010/11 revealed themes similar to last year as to why these places were special to visitors. For some visitors, spending time with family and friends, learning about their ancestors’ life experiences, or feeling the awe and wonder of a place for the first time evoked emotions of attachment. For others, recreational activities, whether familiar or new, nurtured that sense of personal connection.

For still others, the opportunity to learn more about an event or to indulge their interest in history left an enduring impression on their hearts and minds.

Parks Canada initiatives, such as the new My Parks Pass, diversified accommodations, recreational and “learn to” activities, help facilitate a variety of opportunities. Passionate staff and engaging interpretive programs also bring to life the fascination and stories of national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas, fulfilling the inherent need of some visitors to connect through interactions.

To understand the various needs and interests of visitors and to connect with them in relevant ways, Parks Canada uses the Explorer Quotient, a tool that matches visitors’ needs, interests, expectations and desires with opportunities for the experiences that they are seeking at heritage places. For example, the “connect with my roots” type of visitor may be interested in understanding how the stories and people connected with a particular place relate to their personal family history, while a “get away from it all” type of visitor may take advantage of casual sightseeing opportunities as a way to relax and connect with the place.

Visitor Satisfaction

Satisfaction is a subjective measure of a visitor’s overall experience, and it is based on his or her own assessment of how well their visit met their own pre-determined expectations. Services, activities, and interactions with staff contribute to a visitor’s level of satisfaction, and the mix of what is important varies by visitor and, to some degree, by place. Preliminary analysis of the 2010/11 results suggests that six factors were key in visitors’ assessment of overall satisfaction with their visit: enjoyment of their visit, perceived value for money spent, quality of onsite services, condition of visitor facilities, quality of onsite activities and the ability of Parks Canada staff to meet their needs. The influence of these factors was generally consistent across the national parks and national historic sites surveyed. Family activities emerged in five of the 19 places as being important in contributing to overall visitor satisfaction.

In 2010/11, 17 of the 19 locations surveyed either met or exceeded the target of 90 percent of visitors satisfied and 50 percent very satisfied with their visit. The overall average of visitors who were satisfied and very satisfied with their visit is 95 percent and 69 percent respectively, calculated over an 11-year period. Parks Canada consistently meets its target for the percentage of visitors satisfied and very satisfied with their visit. The results for the locations surveyed in 2010/11 are shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10: Percentage of visitors satisfied and very satisfied with their visit

Location Surveyed	Satisfied	Very Satisfied
Banff Park Museum NHS	96%	75%
Bar U Ranch NHS	97%	84%
Dawson Historical Complex NHS	98%	75%
Dredge No. 4 NHS	99%	89%
Elk Island NP	85%	46%
Fort Chambly NHS	96%	72%
Fort St. James NHS	97%	76%
Fortress of Louisbourg NHS	95%	77%
Fundy NP	90%	63%
Kouchibouguac NP	95%	60%
Lachine Canal NHS	96%	62%
Laurier House NHS	99%	86%
Lower Fort Garry NHS	95%	74%
Marconi NHS	94%	62%
Prince Edward Island NP	88%	48%
Rocky Mountain House NHS	95%	74%
Ryan Premises NHS	98%	80%
The Fur Trade at Lachine NHS	98%	81%
Woodside NHS	100%	91%
Average 2010/11 surveys only	95%	72%
Agency overall average (11 years)	95%	69%

Source: Visitor Information Program (VIP)
Note: The Agency has been measuring visitor satisfaction since 2000/01. The overall average is based on 105 locations of 212 places administered by Parks Canada.

Parks Canada is proud of the fact that visitors to Canada’s national heritage places enjoy themselves and are more than satisfied with their visit. The Agency also recognizes that considerable work is required to maintain high levels of visitor satisfaction at all of its locations, to remain competitive and to reflect the Agency’s promise to Canadians. In 2010/11, Parks Canada provided training to over 4,000 employees on quality service standards to enhance visitors’ experiences. The Agency continued to diversify its offer of accommodations (e.g., yurts, cottage tents, tepees, bed and breakfast) and recreational activities (e.g., traction kiting, mountain biking). Parks Canada also expanded the use of GPS technology for guided tours in three of the surveyed locations, providing new ways to explore and experience Canada’s national heritage places. The Agency also upgraded a range of visitor facilities, such as visitor centres, trails, boardwalks and highways. Parks Canada continues to improve and introduce activities and programs to foster a sense of personal connection in hearts and minds of Canadians and to remain relevant to them.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, Parks Canada made improvements to national historic sites and visitor facilities. The following are examples of some of those investments in projects that contributed to enhancing visitor experience and facilitated the creation of personal connection to Canada’s heritage places:

• Banff National Park, Alberta – Parks Canada completed the Banff Legacy Trail, a non-motorized, multi-use, paved, recreational trail suitable for activities such as walking, bicycling and in-line skating. It functions as a commuter route, tourist attraction, and training path, enabling users to safely travel from Canmore to Lake Louise and beyond;
• La Mauricie National Park, Quebec – Parks Canada expanded the Rivière-à-la-Pêche multi-service building, adding several amenities to those that already existed. There is also space dedicated to exhibits which show the efforts to restore the park’s ecosystem; and
• Port-la-Joye – Fort-Amherst National Historic Site, Prince Edward Island – Parks Canada stabilized the Newson House and restored its exterior. Additionally, the Agency re-established coastal viewplanes to and from the site.

Lessons Learned

Parks Canada understands that experiencing Canada’s national heritage places first-hand is crucial to developing a personal connection to these places. The Agency also appreciates that people want to experience and connect with these places in different ways and for different reasons, and that their interests, needs and expectations will vary.

Market research gives Parks Canada a better understanding of the preferences of different types of visitors and helps the Agency facilitate opportunities for Canadians to experience nature and history in ways that meet their needs. Analysis of the 2010/11 visitor survey results illustrates this complexity. The analysis, coupled with Parks Canada’s market research, also reinforces the need to consider what inspires visitors, and to bear in mind both the tangible and intangible elements of their experience, all of which play a direct role in their satisfaction and contribute to their overall sense of connection.

Parks Canada knows that there are Canadians who have yet to visit Canada’s national heritage places and to experience what millions of people who love and cherish these places already have. To inspire Canadians to visit their national heritage places, Parks Canada recognizes that it needs to constantly raise awareness of these places, to promote them in different ways and to engage with specific segments of the population through meaningful opportunities. Parks Canada will continue to undertake the initiatives identified earlier in this report so that more Canadians have the opportunity to connect personally with the places the Agency administers.

Program Activity 5: Townsite and Throughway Infrastructure

Program Activity Description

This program involves managing, operating and providing municipal services to five townsite communities within Canada’s national parks. It also involves the operation of provincial and inter-provincial highways and waterways that connect communities and pass through national parks and national historic sites.

Financial Resources
2010/11 ($000s)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending
161,344	181,920	162,422

Human Resources
2010/11 (Full-time Equivalent)
Planned	Actual	Difference
333	254	79

Parks Canada’s total authorities include $161.3 million acquired through the Main Estimates process, and $20.6 million of additional funding received mainly through Canada’s Economic Action Plan for improvements to national historic sites and visitor facilities, for a total of $181.9 million. Actual expenditures were lower than the total authorities by $19.5 million, due mainly to delays associated with the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park.

Expected Result

Condition of contemporary infrastructure for townsites and waterways is maintained or improved, and through highways are open to traffic.

Performance Indicator	Target and Date	Performance Status
Percentage of townsite contemporary assets that are maintained and percentage of townsite contemporary assets rated as poor or fair that are improved	The condition of 75% of townsite contemporary assets is maintained, and the condition of 25% of assets rated as poor or fair is improved by March 2013	Performance will be assessed in 2013 Progress is outlined in the following text
Percentage of waterway contemporary assets that are maintained and the percentage of waterway contemporary assets rated as poor or fair that are improved	The condition of 75% of waterway contemporary assets is maintained, and the condition of 25% of assets rated as poor or fair is improved by March 2013	Performance will be assessed in 2013 Progress is outlined in the following text
Number of days of closure of through highways due to asset condition	Zero (0) days of closure of through highways due to asset condition	Met All

Performance Summary and Analysis

In 2010/11, Parks Canada invested $10.2 million to maintain or improve the condition of its townsite contemporary assets.

In 2010/11, Parks Canada invested $16 million to maintain or improve its waterway contemporary assets. The Agency also updated or completed preliminary hazard classifications for all 204 dams.

Parks Canada invested $96.7 million to maintain and to improve highways in 2010/11. Parks Canada met its target for through highways, recording no days of closure in 2010/11 due to asset condition.

Improving the condition of townsite contemporary assets

Parks Canada provides a number of municipal and related services to the following townsites located in its national parks: Field in Yoho National Park, Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Wasagaming in Riding Mountain National Park, Waskesiu in Prince Albert National Park and Waterton in Waterton Lakes National Park. Please refer to the Parks Canada website for townsite community plans at www.pc.gc.ca.

Parks Canada conducts condition assessments of its assets on a five-year cycle. Between April 2009 and March 2011, efforts in asset management were focussed primarily on delivering projects associated with Canada’s Economic Action Plan, and some condition assessments were deferred as a result. As of March 31, 2011, 30 preliminary assessments have been completed on townsite contemporary assets.

In 2010/11, $10.2 million was invested from the Agency and Canada’s Economic Action Plan on townsite assets to maintain and improve their condition. Projects active in 2010/11 to improve asset condition are described in Figure 11.

 

Figure 11: Projects to improve condition of townsite contemporary assets

Townsite	Asset	Condition Before the Project	Project Description	Expected Condition When Project Completed	Expected Completion Date	Date of Re-evaluation
Wasagaming	Lagoon	Poor	Sewer Upgrade	Good	Project extended to complete minor repairs and sludge application	March 2012
Waskesiu	Townsite Roads	Fair & Poor	Resurfacing and reconstruction of 12.5 km of severely deteriorated residential roads	Good	Weather conditions extended construction period to August 2011	N/A
	Wastewater Treatment Facility	Poor	Upgrade to cells No. 1 and No. 2 and installation of two intermittent sand filters	Good	Completed in March 2011	N/A

Source: Parks Canada’s CEAP Project Management Database

The current information on the state of contemporary assets located in the five townsites is presented in Figure 12. Of a total of 378 townsite assets, 44 percent (166) are presently in good condition, 28 percent (105) are in fair condition, 18 percent (70) are in poor condition, seven percent (26) are closed, and the remaining three percent (11) are not rated. Parks Canada updated its asset inventory in 2010/11, resulting in the revised total of 378 assets.

Figure 12: State of townsite contemporary assets

Townsite	Condition Assessment 2009/10						Condition Assessment 2010/11
	Good	Fair	Poor	Closed	Not Rated	Total	Good	Fair	Poor	Closed	Not Rated	Total
Field	16	3	0	0	0	19	20	4	0	0	0	24x
Lake Louise	24	4	3	4	2	37	24	3	1	2	2	32xi
Wasagaming	55	22	11	0	0	88	56	22	11	0	3	92xii
Waskesiu	36	35	20	0	0	91	33	31	19	1	1	85xiii
Waterton	30	44	39	24	0	137	33	45	39	23	5	145xiv
Total	161	108	73	28	2	372	166	105	70	26	11	378
Percentage	43%	29%	20%	7.5%	0.5%	100%	44%	28%	18%	7%	3%	100%

Source: Parks Canada’s Asset Management System Database and Canada’s Economic Action Plan (CEAP) Project Management Database

Parks Canada relies on sound decision-making practices based on technical assessments of needs and risks, as well as on objectives established in corporate, management and community plans. The Agency consults formally and informally with stakeholders and includes their feedback in the recommendation of investments that meet townsite priority needs. The results of formal consultations are used to develop townsite community plans.

In addition, to the extent possible, Parks Canada undertakes timely maintenance activities aimed at extending the life of contemporary townsite assets before significant investment is needed. These activities include measures such as sealing road cracks, renewing equipment, rehabilitating some assets, completing minor repairs and conducting inspections on a routine basis.

Improving the condition of waterway contemporary assets

Parks Canada invested funds received from Canada’s Economic Action Plan in the improvement of the condition of waterway contemporary assets. Twenty projects to improve spillways, locks, dams, bridges and retaining walls in canals were initiated in 2009/10 and 2010/11 for a total investment of $21 million over two years, of which $16 million was spent in 2010/11. These projects included the rehabilitation of dams and bridge decks and the application of protective coatings to improve the condition of multiple assets along the Rideau Canal and the Trent-Severn Waterway.

In 2010/11, Parks Canada updated its preliminary dam hazard classifications using previous condition ratings and reviewing historical and anecdotal evidence to estimate both the current condition and potential risks of the dams. These classifications are required as part of the Agency’s dam safety directive. The new information gathered in 2010/11 provides a more comprehensive picture of dam condition. As a result of this exercise, 16 percent (32) of dams are deemed to be in good condition, 43 percent (88) are in fair condition, 40 percent (82) are in poor condition and two dams are closed.

Of Parks Canada’s 204 dams, 56 percent (115) have been classified as high-risk, 22 percent (45) as significant-risk, 18 percent (37) as low-risk, and four percent (7) as very low-risk. Each of these dams requires a Dam Safety Review, performed by a team of specialized engineers. To this end, Parks Canada initiated five Dam Safety Reviews on high-risk dams in 2010/11, in addition to the eight already completed in previous years.

Bridges crossing waterways also represent a significant asset base. Parks Canada owns 115 road bridges, pedestrian bridges and structural culverts within its waterways. They are located along the Trent-Severn Waterway, the Rideau Canal and within four navigation canals around the Montreal area: Carillon, Chambly, Lachine and Saint-Ours Canals.

Of the total number of bridges, 20 percent (23) are in good condition, 39 percent (45) are in fair condition, 18 percent (21) are in poor condition, 18 percent (21) are not rated, and the remaining five are closed. Additional information related to the condition of waterway contemporary assets is presented in Figures 13 and 14.

Figure 13: Condition of bridges and dams related to waterways

Waterways	Number & Percentage	Condition Assessment 2009/10					Condition Assessment 2010/11
		Good	Fair	Poor	Closed	Not Rated	Good	Fair	Poor	Closed	Not Rated
Bridges	115xv	21	37	25	6	27	23	45	21	5	21
	100%	18%	32%	22%	5%	23%	20%	39%	18%	4%	18%
Dams	204xvi	7	24	9	2	164	32	88	82	2	0
	100%	3%	12%	4%	1%	80%	16%	43%	40%	1%	0%

Source: Dam and bridge safety project files

Figure 14: 2010/11 Preliminary hazard classification of dams

Waterway	No. of Dams	High-risk	Significant -risk	Low-risk	Very Low-risk
Carillon, Chambly, Lachine, Sainte-Anne-de- Bellevue and Saint-Ours Canals	39xvii	20	8	11	0
Rideau Canal	40	17	13	8	2
St. Peters Canal	1	0	0	0	1
Sault Ste. Marie Canal	1	0	1	0	0
Trent-Severn Waterway	123xvi	78	23	18	4
Total	204	115	45	37	7
Percentage	100%	56%	22%	18%	4%

Source: Dam safety project files

Along with the implementation of directives, Parks Canada has taken active steps to ensure the safety of visitors and staff, strategically investing funds secured through Canada’s Economic Action Plan in the rehabilitation and recapitalization of higher-risk waterway assets. In 2010/11, Parks Canada recapitalized the fixed and swing bridges in Perth and the Narrows Swing Bridge on the Rideau Canal, as well as repaired Bridge No. 50 along the Trent-Severn Waterway. Examples of work done to improve the condition of waterway contemporary assets are presented in Figure 15.

Figure 15: Examples of projects to improve the condition of bridges and dams in waterways

Waterway	Asset	Condition Before the Project	Project Description	Expected Condition When Project Completed	Expected Completion Date
Rideau Canal	Perth Bridge	Poor	Recapitalization of Perth Fixed & Swing Bridge	Good	Completed February 2011
	Retaining walls	Poor	Recapitalization of retaining walls in Ottawa Sector	Good	Completed March 2011
	Bridge in Smiths Falls	Poor	Recapitalization of swing bridge on Abbott Street in Smiths Falls	Good	Completion date extended to May 2011
Trent-Severn Waterway	Bridge No. 60	Poor (Closed in May 2009 for safety reasons)	Recapitalization of Bridge No. 60 – Bolsover	Good	Completion date extended to July 2011
	Bridge No. 50	Poor (Closed in August 2008 for safety reasons)	Recapitalization of Bridge No. 50 – Bolsover	Good	Bridge re-opened August 2010 Final repairs to be completed August 2011
	Bridge No. 43	Poor (Closed in December 2008 for safety reasons)	Recapitalization of Bridge No. 43 – Bolsover	Good	Completion date extended to June 2011
	Haliburton Dams	Poor	Replacement of Logs in Haliburton Dams	Good	Completed December 2010

Source: Parks Canada CEAP Project Management Database
Note: Projects with completion dates after March 31, 2011 were funded through CEAP with components of the projects to be completed in 2011/12 funded by Parks Canada.

Improving the condition of highways

Parks Canada observed no closures of through highways owing to asset condition. To ensure that Parks Canada continues to meet this performance target, the Agency, with funding obtained through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund and Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, initiated many projects to maintain and improve the condition of the 1,056^xviii kilometres of highways managed by the Agency. Parks Canada invested $4.0 million to maintain highways, and $92.7 million to improve highways in 2010/11.

The twinning (two-directional widening) of the Trans-Canada Highway near Banff National Park continued through 2010/11. The total investment in the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway is $267 million, with $130 million over five years (2009/10 to 2013/14) funded through Budget 2009, $100 million over five years (2008/09 to 2012/13) funded through the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund and $37 million over three years (2007/08 to 2009/10) funded through Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative. In 2010/11, Parks Canada invested a total of $58.9 million in this project, $28.9 million of which was funded through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, and which resulted in the completion of all four lanes to Lake Louise, including wildlife mitigation measures such as fencing and crossing structures to prevent wildlife/vehicle collisions. Work remaining in 2011/12 through 2012/13 includes the completion of an additional 23 kilometres of highway, final paving, repairs to existing bridges as well as final landscaping and clean-up. All work is expected to be completed by 2013/14.

Parks Canada also invested $13 million, through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, in projects to maintain or improve the condition of through highways. These projects include the resurfacing of sections of the highway in Glacier and Yoho National Parks and the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, recapitalizing or rehabilitating two Trans-Canada Highway bridges in Yoho National Park and one bridge in Waterton Lakes National Park, patching pavement on Highway 16 in Jasper National Park to address immediate safety concerns, and completing important stabilizing work along Highway 93S in Kootenay National Park. The Agency also installed new signage in the mountain parks to improve way-finding.

By ensuring that through highways remain open, Parks Canada continues to link Canadians by ensuring safe passage between communities. Significant investments in through highways have led to improving the condition of many of the highway assets, including pavement, bridges and signs, all of which contribute to improved visitor experience and safety. Much of the work dedicated to highway improvement in recent years has also created more migration corridors for wildlife, improving both animal and visitor safety and enhancing ecological integrity.

Parks Canada also conducted an evaluation of the management of through highways that generated three recommendations for improved highway management: improve corporate performance targets; develop consistent means of tracking through highway expenditures; and develop nationally consistent policy, directives or guidance for the operation, maintenance and construction standards of highways. As a result, the Agency initiated a working group to review the existing performance targets and propose new ones, and is in the process of developing a directive to inform highway and road maintenance.

Lessons Learned

Managing Canada’s Economic Action Plan investments in a short time frame required considerable Agency investment in additional capacity and proved to be fertile ground for valuable lessons. Parks Canada recognized the value of improving project scoping, developing consistent procurement practices, and working closely with its Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) colleagues. To take advantage of this learning opportunity, Parks Canada and PWGSC established a working group in 2010/11 to review issues that arose during the execution of the infrastructure projects with the aim of finding ways to improve communication and develop strategies to reduce the costs and minimize delays. Both organizations were recognized with a 2010/11 Partnership Award for their collaborative effort in the delivery of Canada’s Economic Action Plan projects by the Real Property Institute of Canada.

The Agency also turned its focus towards strengthening its asset management practices and addressing the recommendations raised in the 2009 Evaluation of the Asset Management Program at Parks Canada. In January 2011, Parks Canada organized a workshop for its asset management specialists to prioritize the recommendations, taking into consideration the current economic environment. The workshop indicated that Parks Canada should concentrate its efforts on actions that will yield the most value for all Canadians. To this end, Parks Canada will focus on developing a path forward to achieve a sustainable asset base that serves the highest government and Agency needs, so that Canadians may continue to connect with our national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas for many years to come.

 

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Internal Services

Program Activity Description

Internal services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are: Management and Oversight Services (i.e. Investment Planning, Project Management, Risk Management, Planning and Reporting, Internal Audit and Evaluation); Communications Services; Legal Services; Human Resource Management Services; Financial Management Services; Information Management Services; Information Technology Services; Real Property Services; Materiel Services; Acquisition Services; and Travel and Other Administrative Services. Internal Services include only those activities that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program. Parks Canada’s 2010/11 activities related to the plans presented in its Corporate Plan 2010/11–2014/15 can be found in Section 3.

Financial Resources
2010/11 ($000s)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending
81,546	92,903	87,036

Human Resources
2010/11 (Full-time Equivalent)
Planned	Actual	Difference
487	541	54

Parks Canada’s total authorities include $81.5 million acquired through the Main Estimates process, and $11.4 million mainly from revenue authorities which are subsequently spent across other program activities, for a total of $92.9 million.

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