Connecting and coordinating action among Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial park agencies.
Who We Are.
CPC represents the interests of 14 governments, over 2,700 parks, and a shared mandate to enhance the environmental, social and economic values of national, provincial and territorial parks throughout Canada.
How We Work.
CPC is grounded in mutual respect for each other and our Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners and colleagues who contribute to a vision where the health and well-being benefits of conservation and peoples’ place in Nature are realized.
What We Do.
CPC is both a community of practice and an intergovernmental forum. Board representatives work together to prioritize and direct resources to agreed-upon common interests across the country that can be served through parks.
Since 1962, park agency leaders have served the Canadian Parks Council as board members to convene and advance collective action for the purpose of making each park agency more effective at achieving their respective goals.
Throughout its history, the Canadian Parks Council has been focused on leveraging opportunities to improve management effectiveness and the sustainability of national, provincial and territorial park operations for current and future generations.
Does the Canadian Parks Council (CPC) directly manage parks and protected areas?
The CPC is a collaboration forum among federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) park agencies, which together represent over 2700 parks across Canada. As an organization, the CPC does not have direct land management responsibilities — they are carried out by FPT member organizations.
How does the CPC work with other land stewards, such as Indigenous Peoples and organizations, municipalities, private protected areas, and allied partners and sectors?
The CPC, as a community of practice, works with other individuals and organizations across the landscape to advance collective interests, share information and grow relationships.
What is the difference between the Canadian Parks Council (CPC) and the Canadian Parks Collective (CPCIL)?
The CPC is an intergovernmental leadership forum focused on actions that help national, provincial and territorial park organizations have a greater positive impact throughout Canada. One of these actions is to support park leadership development by funding the Canadian Parks Collective, a pan-Canadian professional development program delivered collaboratively by Mount Royal University, Royal Roads University, York University Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, University of Moncton, and other academic institutions.
Does the Canadian Parks Council engage in research?
Through the Canadian Parks Collective, CPC collaborates with academics and universities on a variety of research projects. To connect with them on an project, contact manager@cpcil.ca or visit www.CPCIL.ca/research
Who can belong to the Canadian Parks Council?
The CPC is a Board of Directors with executive representation from each of Canada’s national (1), provincial (10) and territorial (3) park agencies. These senior leaders, who represent the interests of their 14 governments, convene and advance collective action for the purpose of making each park agency more effective at achieving their respective goals. Other parks and conservation practitioners, students, researchers, and community partners are encouraged to join the Canadian Parks Collective at www.CPCIL.ca to connect with colleagues across Canada.
Is the Canadian Parks Council interested in new partnerships?
The CPC collaborates throughout the parks and protected areas community and across disciplines and sectors. To learn more about our mandate, download our strategic plan. To share your collaborative idea, contact us.