| Chapter 2: Toward a Culture of Conservation |
| (2-1) To assist in transmitting this message we recommend that the Minister ensure that Bill C-70, or its successor, states clearly and without qualification that protecting ecological integrity is the first priority of national parks and that Parks Canada can achieve this purpose through managing for ecological integrity. |
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DONE. The new Canada National Parks Act clearly states that ecological integrity is the first priority for national parks. Article 8(2) states that "maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity, through the protection of natural resources and natural processes, shall be the first priority of the Minister when considering all aspects of the management of parks." |
| (2-2) In accordance with section 16 (1) of the Parks Canada Agency Act, we recommend that within a six-month time frame, Parks Canada initiate the revision of the existing draft Charter that addresses the core values of the organization as they relate to the primary objectives and core mandate. For the National Parks Directorate of the Parks Canada Agency these core values should revolve around the concept of ecological integrity. To ensure that this Charter is understood and adopted by all staff and is reflective of the primary objective, Parks Canada should adopt a bottom-up process for developing the Charter by seeking input from staff at all levels of the organization. |
A charter will provide Parks Canada staff and the Canadian public with a clear statement of the values that are fundamental to Parks Canada's mandate, including the primacy of ecological integrity in national park management, and the principles that govern Parks Canada services to the public. |
UNDERWAY. A draft of the Parks Canada Agency Charter was distributed to staff for comments in July 2000 and, subsequently, to stakeholders. It is intended that the Charter will be discussed at the first Round Table held pursuant to the Parks Canada Agency Act and approved subsequent to the event. |
| (2-3) We recommend that within six months Parks Canada begin a process to move away from the language of business and adopt a language that emphasizes ecological integrity and conservation. |
The various "business" terms cited are in general government use and are widely accepted, or are defined in legislation, such as the Parks Canada Agency Act. |
Parks Canada will continue to use standard government terms but will emphasize its conservation mandate in its communications activities. For example, we will continue to use the terms "CEO", "business plan" and "revenue." |
