Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment

This proposal is expected to generate approximately a 13% increase in visitation to national parks, national historic sites, and camping nights over a 16-week period during Christmas 2025 and the summer of 2026. While this growth may lead to a modest rise in greenhouse gas emissions and some additional pressure on natural areas and biodiversity, these impacts are anticipated to be well within the Agency’s capacity to manage through existing mitigation measures.

This initiative supports Parks Canada’s (PC) response to the 2024 wildfire season, particularly the Jasper Complex Wildfire. The initiative sought to support residents, business owners and the Municipality of Jasper dealing with these severe economic challenges through immediate and hazardous waste clean up, rent relief and re-entry costs. Wildfire suppression and management alleviates threats to protected lands, wildlife and biodiversity while also reducing poor-air quality from the fires. Managing and fighting wildfires will have a positive benefit on Canadians’ health, support their outdoor activities, and improve their ability to deal with climate related events such as heat domes. There are no significant negative environmental impacts expected from this initiative.

The establishment of Pituamkek National Park Reserve (NPR) in partnership with the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq Kapmntemuow on Prince Edward Island (PEI) is enabling the protection of one of PEI’s last coastal wilderness areas, its unique geomorphology, and vulnerable ecosystems, while benefiting Canadians’ outlook, economy, and well-being.

The NPR presents an opportunity to strengthen the nation-to-nation relationship with the Mi’kmaq of PEI, and seeks to embrace Mi’kmaq principles of sustainability, art, and design, and respect the “Mi’kmaq Heritage Landscape” designation created by Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq Kapmntemuow, and the stated Mi’kmaq desire for landscape integrity and landscape preservation.

Strong support was expressed for the creation of an NPR in the Pituamkek area during public consultation. Supportive responses made up the vast majority of feedback and came from a variety of demographics. A small number of respondents were mindful that the operation of an NPR could result in degradation of the landscape through overuse.

Formal protection of this NPR supports the maintenance of ecological integrity and the continuation of ecosystem services through the protection of natural resources and natural processes. It ensures the area is preserved in its current state as the chain of barrier islands protects many PEI communities from the wave and storm surge impacts of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Once the land description is added to Schedule 2 of the Canada National Parks Act, the NPR will extend additional federal protection to species at risk in the region, including five species listed under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act, such as the Piping Plover who has critical habitat at the site. Pituamkek also forms part of the northeastern border of Malpeque Bay, a wetland of international significance for supporting a rich variety of marine and avian species, as designated by the Ramsar Committee in 1988. The NPR’s role in GHG emissions is presently undetermined.

The Pituamkek NPR covers a rural area of PEI, with a focus on local investments in recreational, cultural, and social infrastructure, including the aquaculture and shellfish industries. It will contribute to the Canadian economy by supporting a healthy ecosystem and expanding employment opportunities, including through nature-based tourism and supporting the Government of Canada’s commitment to growing a long-term sustainable Indigenous tourism industry.