Past Consultations
2018 - 2019:
Initial Public Consultation
During the summer and fall of 2018, public consultations were undertaken on the intent to establish new regulations and modernize service delivery.
25 in person meetings were | 200 comments received from |
Through these consultations with key stakeholders, five key principles were established: ecological integrity, consistency, transparency, flexibility, and public participation. Recurring comments emphasized a need for transparent, local decision-making. Above all, participants asked for clear regulations and guidelines that could be implemented consistently, but with flexibility to develop local land use policies to adapt to local circumstances.
The What We Heard Report – Summer & Fall 2018 Consultations contains more details on the feedback received.
In Jasper National Park (Alberta), participants requested a separate engagement session to discuss local issues as they relate to the Town of Jasper Zoning Regulations. A separate public consultation session was held to discuss housing and zoning concerns in the park community in spring 2019.
The What We Heard Report – Jasper Zoning Regulations and Housing contains more details on the feedback received.
Winter 2022:
Public Consultation on the Draft Regulations and Interpretive Guidelines
Based on the five key principles identified in 2018, Parks Canada drafted proposed Land Use Planning Regulations and Interpretive Guidelines. Parks Canada then conducted consultations from January to March 2022, and consulted with Indigenous peoples, stakeholders and interested members of the public virtually through the online consultation website.
58 000+ | 330+ unique visitors to the website | 70+ unique comments on the draft Regulations and corresponding Interpretive Guidelines |
Parks Canada heard continued support for a renewed permit process. Participants expressed their feedback from initial consultations had been integrated into the two proposed foundational documents. There was continued support for a establishing a consistent process with stronger enforcement tools and greater transparency.
The What We Heard Report – Winter 2022 contains more details on the feedback received. Feedback received helped create the Regulations as drafted and published in the Canada Gazette, Part I.
Fall 2023:
Consultation on the Canada Gazette, Part I and Fees and Service Standards for Land Use Planning Services.
The Land Use Planning Program conducted additional consultation as the proposed Land Use Planning Regulations advanced through the regulatory approval process. The draft regulations were posted for pre-publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, where the public was able to review and provide comments on the regulatory proposal from September 30 to October 30, 2023.
When the regulations come into force, they will repeal an existing suite of 1960s era regulations that provide inconsistent direction, outdated practices, and fees that no longer reflect services or costs. As part of updating fees for land use planning services, Parks Canada sought input on the approach for setting fees and service standards through an online survey open from October 25 to November 22, 2023.
| 760+ consultation website visits | 127 comments received on the Canada Gazette, Part I | 26 responses to the survey on fees and service standards |
What we heard on the regulations fell within three main categories: process improvements, leading locally, and program capacity. Many participants were receptive to the regulatory direction and showed interest in local policy renewal and tools to support implementation. We heard a continued desire to ensure local considerations are at the forefront of policy development and decision-making, along with the importance of enhanced compliance and enforcement tools.
Feedback on fees and service standards emphasized the importance of ensuring that fees are fair – that those who benefit pay an appropriate share of the costs and that fees provide good value for money. We heard that the nature of the service, including who benefits the most, along with cost recovery to account for staff time may be more important than solely aligning fees to market rate. Respondents also shared support for setting service standards with the intent of enhancing transparency without rushing the review process.
The What We Heard Report contains more details on feedback received and outlines next steps for the program.
All additional feedback will continue to inform the Interpretive Guidelines and future local policies as Parks Canada prepares for implementation.
