Behind the Scenes: Sharon Hayes

Our series of interviews with Parks Canada employees working in Northern Ontario continues. Sharon Hayes was recently appointed to the position of Field Unit Superintendent, Northern Ontario. She brings over 20 years of experience with Parks Canada to the position.

shoreLINES: You have worked for Parks Canada for a long time. Tell us a little about your experiences and progression with the agency.

Sharon Hayes: Growing up in the Northwest Territories, I was thrilled to spend the first years of my career at Nahanni National Park Reserve. I started as a summer student in 1996, before becoming a National Park Warden. In 2005, I moved to northern Ontario’s Pukaskwa National Park as the Manager of Resource Conservation, and later became the Park Superintendent.

I am very passionate about Parks Canada and its programs, and have taken on various assignments throughout my career. Working in a range of settings has given me opportunities to work closely with Indigenous groups and stakeholders, as well as manage teams within operational and complex environments. I am grateful for these career opportunities, because they allowed me to connect to our sites and the people with whom our sites are associated.

sL: As a woman, you’ve worked in traditionally male dominated fields within Parks Canada. What have you learned from these experiences?

SH: I have been very fortunate to have always had support around me to succeed. Coming up through the Warden Service meant I was often the only woman within my team; however, it never crossed my mind that being female would impede my options. A big part of that was how my parents brought me up and the role my mother played, but also because of the remarkable colleagues and managers I have had at Parks Canada. The only impediment would have been how hard I chose to work, and whether or not I accepted the advice and support being offered.

sL: You have lived and worked from northern Ontario for the past 15 years. What do you see as Parks Canada’s role in the region?

SH: As a cornerstone of Canada’s tourism industry, Parks Canada protects naturally and culturally significant places, is committed to providing visitors with high quality and meaningful experiences, and supports tourism in adjacent communities. We work with partners and nearby communities to advance mutually beneficial objectives, which help grow local tourism and create jobs. My hope is that we continue to seek new ways of improving the quality of services in the region and promoting Northern Ontario as a destination for all Canadians!

sL: What is your educational background?

SH: I hold a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from the University of Saskatchewan, and a Master of Science in Environment and Management from Royal Roads University.

sL: What do you like to do in your spare time?

SH: In my spare time, I enjoy camping, fishing, and hunting with my husband and two boys. I am also a proud (and busy) hockey mom!

sL: Do you have a favourite nationally significant place that you have visited? Explain why.

SH: I have worked at sites across the country, from British Columbia’s Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve to New Brunswick’s Fundy National Park, and many places in between…and each one is amazing in its own way—the tranquility and greatness of the mountains, the beauty and sounds of Superior, and the culture and history of the coasts. It’s like trying to pick my favourite kid!

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