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Let's Talk NMCAs - consultation has closed

Consultation has concluded.

Parks Canada is revising its policy for national marine conservation areas (NMCAs). The policy guides how Parks Canada plans and manages NMCAs and articulates our leadership role in working with partner and stakeholders to support these special places.

Updates to the 1994 NMCA policy are needed so that it aligns with the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act (2002). The updates will also reflect the experience Parks Canada has gained from more than 20 years of establishing and managing NMCAs. Changes to the NMCA policy and the development of regulations under the CNMCAA will help guide managers in their decision making, and will help to ensure that NMCAs are managed effectively.

Between May 8 and July 10, 2019, we are seeking views from you, the Canadian public, on proposed changes to the policy framework and the development of regulations.

- a backgrounder summarizes Parks Canada’s policy objectives for NMCAs and our strategy for achieving them, providing additional context for the discussion paper; and

- a discussion paper highlights the proposed changes to the NMCA policy and potential areas for new regulations for Parks Canada’s NMCA program and is intended to solicit feedback on a number of issues.

We invite you to please review the supporting documents provided before answering questions and providing comments.

Your personal information and submitted responses will be kept confidential. A “What We Heard” report will be produced with aggregate data only. In future communications, anonymous quotes may be used from comments provided.

Parks Canada appreciates all input received during this consultation and we will review all feedback. However, only comments within the scope of this exercise will be considered for the purposes of updating the policy for national marine conservation areas and the development of regulations under the CNMCAA.

Parks Canada is revising its policy for national marine conservation areas (NMCAs). The policy guides how Parks Canada plans and manages NMCAs and articulates our leadership role in working with partner and stakeholders to support these special places.

Updates to the 1994 NMCA policy are needed so that it aligns with the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act (2002). The updates will also reflect the experience Parks Canada has gained from more than 20 years of establishing and managing NMCAs. Changes to the NMCA policy and the development of regulations under the CNMCAA will help guide managers in their decision making, and will help to ensure that NMCAs are managed effectively.

Between May 8 and July 10, 2019, we are seeking views from you, the Canadian public, on proposed changes to the policy framework and the development of regulations.

- a backgrounder summarizes Parks Canada’s policy objectives for NMCAs and our strategy for achieving them, providing additional context for the discussion paper; and

- a discussion paper highlights the proposed changes to the NMCA policy and potential areas for new regulations for Parks Canada’s NMCA program and is intended to solicit feedback on a number of issues.

We invite you to please review the supporting documents provided before answering questions and providing comments.

Your personal information and submitted responses will be kept confidential. A “What We Heard” report will be produced with aggregate data only. In future communications, anonymous quotes may be used from comments provided.

Parks Canada appreciates all input received during this consultation and we will review all feedback. However, only comments within the scope of this exercise will be considered for the purposes of updating the policy for national marine conservation areas and the development of regulations under the CNMCAA.

  • A. Overall policy objectives for NMCAs

    Parks Canada has outlined policy objectives (see backgrounder) to help achieve the purpose of NMCAs. These objectives are inter-connected and mutually reinforcing, and will be considered collectively as Parks Canada manages NMCAs collaboratively with partners.

    For more information, please see page 6 of the discussion paper.


    Consultation has concluded.

  • B. A revised NMCA zoning framework

    Parks Canada is proposing a zoning framework comprising four zones, each with a specific purpose (see Table 1, page 8 in the discussion paper), and specific activity and use restrictions (see Table 2, p. 8-9 in the discussion paper).


    Consultation has concluded.

  • C. Enhanced protection of marine biodiversity and ecosystems within NMCAs

    Some issues are not adequately covered by existing legislation in ways that ensure the protection of ecosystems and specific elements within ecosystems in NMCAs. Parks Canada is proposing regulatory changes to address these issues.

    Photo: Lynn Lee / Tlell, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia

    For more information, please see page 10 of the discussion paper.

    Consultation has concluded.

  • D. Ecologically sustainable land use in NMCAs

    Parks Canada is proposing to develop regulations and a permitting system to authorize land use in NMCAs, including submerged lands.

    For more information, please see page 11 of the discussion paper.

    Consultation has concluded.

  • E. Protection of cultural resources in NMCAs

    Currently, there is no distinct legal framework to ensure the protection and management of cultural resources in NMCAs. Parks Canada is proposing regulatory changes in this area.

    For more information, please see page 12 of the discussion paper.

    Consultation has concluded.

  • F. Promotion and management of marine tourism and recreation in NMCAs

    Parks Canada needs the ability to manage businesses that provide high-quality visitor experiences in ways that are ecologically sustainable and consistent with the purpose of the NMCA and its management plan, and that protect visitor safety. We are proposing to develop new business regulations, and that businesses and special events within NMCAs require a permit or other authorization.


    For more information, please see page 13 of the discussion paper.
    Consultation has concluded.

  • G. Management of research and collection activities in NMCAs

    Parks Canada is proposing to develop a regulation for scientific research within NMCAs, and use its existing research and collection permit system to manage research and collection activities in NMCAs in the same manner as for national parks.


    For more information, please see page 14 of the discussion paper.


    Consultation has concluded.