National Urban Parks framework

AI summary

Petitioners ask Parliament to adopt a National Urban Parks framework prioritizing ecological integrity, requiring Indigenous and community governance and durable protection, and to expedite up to 15 parks with clear ecological boundaries by 2030. The government responds that it has an interim National Urban Parks policy and is working with Indigenous and local partners.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament Assembled WHEREAS: - Canada has committed to establishing up to 15 National Urban Parks by 2030, including proposed sites in communities such as Saskatoon, Halifax, Greater Victoria, and Windsor, demonstrating a national need for clear and consistent frameworks to guide their creation, protection, and long-term management; - Many proposed National Urban Parks - including the Meewasin Valley and Saskatoon's Northeast and Small Swales among other ecologically significant candidate sites across Canada - contain rare ecosystems, species at risk, and culturally significant landscapes that require durable, long- term protection; - Clear, ecologically grounded park boundaries are essential for protecting sensitive ecosystems, maintaining community trust, and ensuring that National Urban Parks fulfill their conservation purpose, and several candidate sites across Canada would benefit from transparent, consistent, and science-based boundary definition as planning processes advance; - Ecological integrity, defined as the ability of ecosystems to support and maintain biodiversity, natural processes, and ecological structures, is the foundational principle of Canada's national parks and should be the guiding priority for National Urban Parks; - Communities living alongside these landscapes - including Indigenous Nations, as rights holders, local stewardship groups, and residents - hold deep knowledge and long-standing relationships with these lands. Their meaningful participation in governance strengthens ecological outcomes, transparency, and accountability; - A governance structure that includes Indigenous Nations, as rights holders, and community representation through an advisory committee or similar body with defined responsibilities would support long term ecological restoration, species at risk recovery, and culturally grounded stewardship; - The Rouge National Urban Park Act demonstrated that Parliament can use legislation to provide durable protection for an urban national park, and some proposed National Urban Parks may also require legislation to ensure durable protection, ecological integrity, and stable governance; - The Senate of Canada has historically undertaken studies on emerging policy frameworks, providing analysis that can inform the development of national conservation legislation. THEREFORE, we the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1. Develop and make available a framework for National Urban Parks that establishes ecological integrity as the first priority in all planning, management, and decision-making for all parks, including the provision of both legislative and policy options as appropriate to the specific requirements of each candidate site. 2. Ensure that the governance of all National Urban Parks includes meaningful participation from Indigenous Nations, as rights-holders, and community representation through an advisory committee or similar body with defined responsibilities. 3. Support long-term ecological restoration, species-at-risk recovery, and the protection of culturally significant landscapes across Canada, ensuring meaningful community and rights-holder governance through legislation or other durable mechanisms, as appropriate to each park. 4. Expedite the collaborative establishment of the full network of up to 15 National Urban Parks across Canada, ensuring each park is created with clear, ecologically grounded boundaries and strong participation from Indigenous Nations, as rights-holders, and local communities.

Government response

Response by the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature Signed by The Honourable JULIE DABRUSIN The Government of Canada thanks the Petitioners for their interest and support for the Government of Canada’s commitment to designating 15 new national urban parks by 2030, a commitment that was recently reaffirmed by A Force of Nature: Canada’s Strategy to Protect Nature. National parks are a true cornerstone of Canada’s identity – a place where nature, history and community meet. Nature is also foundational in supporting our economy and sustaining our way of life. National urban parks are designated in collaboration with local jurisdictions, Indigenous governments, and other organizations, to achieve a partnership approach to land management in urban areas, where partner resources and expertise are maximized to meet local conservation needs. Each national urban park will reflect local priorities and will be rooted in shared objectives to conserve nature, connect people with nature, and advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Through this new strategy and over 3.8 billion dollars of investment, we are delivering on our commitments to protect 30 percent of Canada’s lands and waters by 2030 (30x30) by deepening our partnerships and using innovative solutions for the benefit of nature and Canadians. The interim National Urban Parks Policy (2024) currently guides the designation and management of new national urban parks; it was developed through engagement with Indigenous governments, municipal and provincial governments, conservation organizations, and the public, and is aligned with other Parks Canada policies including the Indigenous Stewardship Policy (2024). The interim National Urban Parks Policy establishes a mechanism for the designation of national urban parks by Parks Canada; specifies requirements for the designation and management of the parks; creates a management framework that enables locally driven decision making; and ensures a high standard for conservation. Indigenous stewardship is a guiding principle of the National Urban Parks Program. Parks Canada is working with Indigenous governments and organizations to ensure Indigenous peoples have leadership roles in park designation and management, contribute to stewardship, strengthen connections to their traditional territories, and share their cultures and knowledge. Through shared stewardship, each partner agrees to implement local commitments to advance reconciliation. The Government of Canada is excited to designate national urban parks in partnership with local and Indigenous partners across the country. This work will continue to be informed by public and stakeholder engagement.