The system of national historic sites represents places, persons and events of national historic significance. The long-term goal is for the system to represent the breadth and diversity of Canadian history. As of October 2009, Canada's system of national historic sites (including historic canals) consists of 949 places of national historic significance. Of these, 167 are administered directly by Parks Canada. The system also includes 633 national historic persons and 407 national historic events.