Establishment of protected areas at Parks Canada

Parks Canada's report on conservation from 2018 to 2023

Canada has committed to protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030. Parks Canada is playing a significant role in meeting these targets through the creation of new protected areas including national parks, national urban parks, and national marine conservation areas.

The establishment of new protected areas is important to advancing conservation priorities. It provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities based on principles of shared stewardship and co-management. Growing Canada’s network of protected areas is also key in halting biodiversity loss by contributing to the recovery of species at risk and in adapting to climate change by protecting healthy ecosystems.

Work is also ongoing to recognize Parks Canada administered places, such as historic sites and waterways, which help achieve the conservation of biodiversity as Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). Since 2022, seven Parks Canada administered sites have been recognized as OECMs, encompassing a total of 26,421 hectares of land and water.

Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure (OECM)

OECMs are a new type of area that countries can recognize as helping to protect biodiversity. An OECM is an area that isn’t a protected area but is managed in a way that helps conserve biodiversity, supports ecosystem functions and services, and considers cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and other local values.

Proposed protected areas

Legend

Proposed protected areas

Proposed protected areas
Name	Description	Category
Proposed protected area		Terrestrial
Proposed protected area		Terrestrial
Proposed protected area		Terrestrial
Proposed protected area		Terrestrial
Proposed protected area		Marine
Proposed protected area		Marine
Proposed protected area		Marine
Proposed protected area		Marine
Proposed protected area		Marine
Proposed protected area		Marine
Proposed protected area		Marine
Proposed protected area		Urban
Proposed protected area		Urban
Proposed protected area		Urban
Proposed protected area		Urban
Proposed protected area		Urban
Proposed protected area		Urban

Map description

A map of Canada shows a total of 17 proposed terrestrial, marine, and urban protected areas dispersed across the country.

Four green markers with a triangle denote terrestrial sites. They are shown in northern Yukon, in southern British Columbia, in northern Manitoba, and in western Prince Edward Island.
Seven blue markers with a circle denote marine sites. They are shown in the south of the Straight of Georgia, British Columbia, in western James Bay and southwestern Hudson Bay off the shore of northern Ontario, in the Labrador Sea off the northern tip of Labrador, in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, Quebec, in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, and off the south coast of Newfoundland.
Six purple markers with a square denote urban sites. They are shown at the southern tip of Victoria Island, British Columbia, in central Alberta, in central Saskatchewan, in southern Manitoba, at the southern tip of Ontario, and in the center of Nova Scotia.

As of December 2023, these are the proposed sites being explored by Parks Canada, Indigenous partners, provinces, territories, and/or municipalities for feasibility. Sites that have been established as of December 2023, and those in early consideration, are not included on this map. This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data.