While Parks Canada’s mandate has not changed in more than 100 years, the regulatory and policy approach continues to evolve.
Over many decades, Canadians have consistently affirmed the importance of limiting development in national parks, heritage sites, and other Parks Canada administered places. Through legislation, regulations, plans, policies and legal agreements, Parks Canada sets out strict limits on what may be built, operated, renovated, and redeveloped.
Today, any project – whether a backyard deck, hotel or ski lift – is only authorized if it passes the tests put in place to protect the ecological and commemorative integrity of Canada's national parks and other special places. The land use planning process helps ensure Parks Canada administered places are protected for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations. However, the current regulatory and policy approach is outdated and no longer meets the needs of Canadians.
The Land Use Planning Program (LUPP, previously referred to as the National Planning Permit Process) is a proposed new way of managing land use, construction, and development permits at Parks Canada. The LUPP and corresponding regulations will apply to National Parks and Park Reserves with the long-term goal of applying its principles to other Parks Canada administered places.
Where are we now?
Parks Canada conducted consultation on the proposed Land Use Planning Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, and on the approach for setting fees and service standards for land use planning services. Your feedback has helped inform the Land Use Planning Regulations and the fee proposal. Parks Canada is working to finalize and advance the Land Use Planning Regulations and fee proposal with what we heard through these consultations.
A What We Heard Report is now available. To learn more, check out the Past Consultations webpage.
Thank you for your interest and participation in the Land Use Planning Program's initiatives to date. All input received continues to inform the program and implementation planning.
Background
Parks Canada has been undertaking extensive review of regulations to consider ways to strengthen the land use planning decision-making process.
Timeline
Click to learn more about the program's history
2016-2018
Research and Analysis | A review of development and land use planning decision-making tools was launched. The aim of this project was to create a modernized decision-making process that is consistent, flexible, transparent and will continue to ensure that permit applications receive the highest level of scrutiny. |
2018-2019
Initial Indigenous and Public Consultation | Parks Canada conducted national consultations with Indigenous peoples and partners, the public and stakeholders. Participants were clear that stringent approval standards need to be maintained in order to continue to protect Parks Canada administered places from inappropriate development.
Check out the What We Heard Report from these consultations on the Past Consultations page. |
2019-2021
Development of Draft Regulations and Interpretive Guidelines | Based on the feedback received through consultations, Parks Canada drafted a decision-making framework built on two key documents:
1) the proposed Land Use Planning Regulations; and
2) corresponding Interpretive Guidelines to assist with implementation. |
Winter 2022
Indigenous and Public Consultation – Draft Regulations and Interpretive Guidelines | Parks Canada conducted a second round of Indigenous and public consultations centered on the draft Land Use Planning Regulations and the Interpretive Guidelines. There was continued support for a consistent process, stronger enforcement tools and greater transparency. Learn more about what we heard through the Past Consultations page. |
2023
Indigenous and Public Consultation – Canada Gazette , Part I and Fees and Service Standards | Parks Canada conducted consultation on the proposed Land Use Planning Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I and on the approach for setting fees and service standards for land use planning services. A What We Heard Report is now available. To learn more about what we heard, check out the Past Consultations page. Learn more about what we heard through the Past Consultations page. |
Winter 2024 | Current stage of the program.
Finalize and advance the proposed Land Use Planning Regulations and fee proposal. |
While Parks Canada’s mandate has not changed in more than 100 years, the regulatory and policy approach continues to evolve.
Over many decades, Canadians have consistently affirmed the importance of limiting development in national parks, heritage sites, and other Parks Canada administered places. Through legislation, regulations, plans, policies and legal agreements, Parks Canada sets out strict limits on what may be built, operated, renovated, and redeveloped.
Today, any project – whether a backyard deck, hotel or ski lift – is only authorized if it passes the tests put in place to protect the ecological and commemorative integrity of Canada's national parks and other special places. The land use planning process helps ensure Parks Canada administered places are protected for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations. However, the current regulatory and policy approach is outdated and no longer meets the needs of Canadians.
The Land Use Planning Program (LUPP, previously referred to as the National Planning Permit Process) is a proposed new way of managing land use, construction, and development permits at Parks Canada. The LUPP and corresponding regulations will apply to National Parks and Park Reserves with the long-term goal of applying its principles to other Parks Canada administered places.
Where are we now?
Parks Canada conducted consultation on the proposed Land Use Planning Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, and on the approach for setting fees and service standards for land use planning services. Your feedback has helped inform the Land Use Planning Regulations and the fee proposal. Parks Canada is working to finalize and advance the Land Use Planning Regulations and fee proposal with what we heard through these consultations.
A What We Heard Report is now available. To learn more, check out the Past Consultations webpage.
Thank you for your interest and participation in the Land Use Planning Program's initiatives to date. All input received continues to inform the program and implementation planning.
Background
Parks Canada has been undertaking extensive review of regulations to consider ways to strengthen the land use planning decision-making process.
Timeline
Click to learn more about the program's history
2016-2018
Research and Analysis | A review of development and land use planning decision-making tools was launched. The aim of this project was to create a modernized decision-making process that is consistent, flexible, transparent and will continue to ensure that permit applications receive the highest level of scrutiny. |
2018-2019
Initial Indigenous and Public Consultation | Parks Canada conducted national consultations with Indigenous peoples and partners, the public and stakeholders. Participants were clear that stringent approval standards need to be maintained in order to continue to protect Parks Canada administered places from inappropriate development.
Check out the What We Heard Report from these consultations on the Past Consultations page. |
2019-2021
Development of Draft Regulations and Interpretive Guidelines | Based on the feedback received through consultations, Parks Canada drafted a decision-making framework built on two key documents:
1) the proposed Land Use Planning Regulations; and
2) corresponding Interpretive Guidelines to assist with implementation. |
Winter 2022
Indigenous and Public Consultation – Draft Regulations and Interpretive Guidelines | Parks Canada conducted a second round of Indigenous and public consultations centered on the draft Land Use Planning Regulations and the Interpretive Guidelines. There was continued support for a consistent process, stronger enforcement tools and greater transparency. Learn more about what we heard through the Past Consultations page. |
2023
Indigenous and Public Consultation – Canada Gazette , Part I and Fees and Service Standards | Parks Canada conducted consultation on the proposed Land Use Planning Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I and on the approach for setting fees and service standards for land use planning services. A What We Heard Report is now available. To learn more about what we heard, check out the Past Consultations page. Learn more about what we heard through the Past Consultations page. |
Winter 2024 | Current stage of the program.
Finalize and advance the proposed Land Use Planning Regulations and fee proposal. |
