This is a list of National Parks of Canada. Canadian National Parks preserve both spectacular and representative areas of the country, located in every one of the nation's 13 provinces and territories. The goal of the national park service is to create a system of protected areas which represent all the distinct natural regions of the country.[1] Parks Canada – the governing and administration body for the system – has developed a plan identifying 39 different regions it aims to represent. As of 2005, Parks Canada reports that the system is more than 60% complete. Canada's parks are managed primarily to protect the ecological integrity of the park, and secondarily to allow the public to explore, learn about and enjoy Canada's natural spaces.[1] As of 2005, feasibility studies have been undertaken for establishing further national parks in three areas: Wolf Lake in Yukon, South Okanagan-Lower Similkameen in British Columbia and the Manitoba Lowlands (north-western Lake Winnipeg).[2]
There are currently 36 National Parks and 6 National Park Reserves (including Kluane National Park and Reserve, which is considered both a National Park and a Reserve). This list also includes the country's four National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs), the lone National Landmark, and three future parks.
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A National Park Reserve is an area that has been set aside with the intention of becoming a national park, pending the settlement of native land claims. Until then, they are managed as national parks under the National Parks Act.[3]
Name | Photo | Location | Area | Established |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aulavik | Northwest Territories | 12,200 km2 (4,710 sq mi) | 1992 | |
Auyuittuq | Nunavut | 21,471 km2 (8,290 sq mi) | 2001 | |
Banff | Alberta | 6,641 km2 (2,564 sq mi) | 1885 | |
Bruce Peninsula | Ontario | 154 km2 (59 sq mi) | 1987 | |
Cape Breton Highlands | Nova Scotia | 949 km2 (366 sq mi) | 1936 | |
Elk Island | Alberta | 194 km2 (75 sq mi) | 1913 | |
Forillon | Quebec | 244 km2 (94 sq mi) | 1970 | |
Fundy | New Brunswick | 206 km2 (80 sq mi) | 1948 | |
Georgian Bay Islands | Ontario | 13 km2 (5 sq mi) | 1929 | |
Glacier | British Columbia | 1,349 km2 (521 sq mi) | 1886 | |
Grasslands | Saskatchewan | 907 km2 (350 sq mi) | 1981 | |
Gros Morne | Newfoundland | 1,805 km2 (697 sq mi) | 1973 | |
Gulf Islands (Reserve) |
British Columbia | 33 km2 (13 sq mi) | 2003 | |
Gwaii Haanas[A] (Reserve) |
British Columbia | 1,495 km2 (577 sq mi) | 1988 | |
Ivvavik[B] | Yukon | 10,168 km2 (3,926 sq mi) | 1984 | |
Jasper | Alberta | 10,878 km2 (4,200 sq mi) | 1907 | |
Kejimkujik | Nova Scotia | 404 km2 (156 sq mi) | 1968 | |
Kluane[C] | Yukon | 22,013 km2 (8,499 sq mi) | 1972 | |
Kootenay | British Columbia | 1,406 km2 (543 sq mi) | 1920 | |
Kouchibouguac | New Brunswick | 239 km2 (92 sq mi) | 1969 | |
La Mauricie | Quebec | 536 km2 (207 sq mi) | 1970 | |
Mingan Archipelago (Reserve) |
Quebec | 151 km2 (58 sq mi) | 1984 | |
Mount Revelstoke | British Columbia | 260 km2 (100 sq mi) | 1914 | |
Nahanni (Reserve) |
Northwest Territories | 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) | 1976 | |
Pacific Rim (Reserve) |
British Columbia | 511 km2 (197 sq mi) | 1970 | |
Point Pelee | Ontario | 15 km2 (6 sq mi) | 1918 | |
Prince Albert | Saskatchewan | 3,874 km2 (1,496 sq mi) | 1927 | |
Prince Edward Island | Prince Edward Island | 22 km2 (8 sq mi) | 1937 | |
Pukaskwa | Ontario | 1,878 km2 (725 sq mi) | 1978 | |
Quttinirpaaq[E] | Nunavut | 37,775 km2 (14,585 sq mi) | 2001 | |
Riding Mountain[F] | Manitoba | 2,973 km2 (1,148 sq mi) | 1933 | |
Sirmilik | Nunavut | 22,200 km2 (8,571 sq mi) | 2001 | |
St. Lawrence Islands | Ontario | 9 km2 (3 sq mi) | 1904 | |
Terra Nova | Newfoundland | 400 km2 (154 sq mi) | 1957 | |
Torngat Mountains | Labrador | 9,600 km2 (3,707 sq mi) | 2005 | |
Tuktut Nogait | Northwest Territories | 16,340 km2 (6,309 sq mi) | 1996 | |
Ukkusiksalik | Nunavut | 20,500 km2 (7,915 sq mi) | 2003 | |
Vuntut | Yukon | 4,345 km2 (1,678 sq mi) | 1995 | |
Wapusk | Manitoba | 11,475 km2 (4,431 sq mi) | 1996 | |
Waterton Lakes[G] | Alberta | 505 km2 (195 sq mi) | 1895 | |
Wood Buffalo | Alberta Northwest Territories |
44,807 km2 (17,300 sq mi) | 1922 | |
Yoho | British Columbia | 1,313 km2 (507 sq mi) | 1886 |
Name | Location | Area |
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Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve[4] | Labrador | 11,700 km2 (4,517 sq mi) |
Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve[5] | Northwest Territories | 7,600 km2 (2,934 sq mi) |
Thaydene Nene National Park[6] | Northwest Territories | Approx. 33,000 km2 (12,741 sq mi)[7] |
Name | Location | Established | Abolished |
---|---|---|---|
Buffalo National Park[8] | Alberta | 1909 | 1947 |
Menissawok National Park[9] | Saskatchewan | 1922 | 1930 |
Nemiskam National Park[8] | Alberta | 1914 | 1947 |
Wawaskesy National Park[10] | Alberta | 1922 | 1938 |
National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs) are a relatively new addition to the park system. These areas have a different mandate than their terrestrial counterparts. They are designed for sustainable use, although they usually also contain areas designed to protect ecological integrity.[11] The government has announced plans to add five more Marine parks to the system as part of the Marine Conservation Areas Act. The first to be officially announced was Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area, although a date of opening has not yet been revealed. Other areas under negotiation are the southern Strait of Georgia and Gwaii Haanas in British Columbia and there are discussions to study the feasibility of an area on the southern coast of Newfoundland.[12]
Name | Photo | Location | Area | Established |
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Fathom Five | Ontario | 112 km2 (43 sq mi) | 1987 | |
Gwaii Haanas (Reserve) | British Columbia | 1,500 km2 (579 sq mi)[13] | 2010 | |
Lake Superior | Ontario | 10,000 km2 (3,861 sq mi)[14] | 2007 | |
Saguenay-St. Lawrence | Quebec | 1,246 km2 (481 sq mi)[15] | 1998 |
In addition to national parks, a National Landmarks program was established in 1978 but has not yet been expanded beyond a single property. Landmarks were intended to protect specific natural features considered "outstanding, exceptional, unique, or rare to this country. These natural features would typically be isolated entities and of scientific interest."[16]
Name | Photo | Location | Area | Established |
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Pingo | Northwest Territories | 16 km2 (6 sq mi) | 1984 |
Provincial parks are administered and funded by the provincial governments, however some provincial parks are categorized as national parks (Category II) under the IUCN's Protected Area Management Categories.
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