Progress Report on Reducing Regulatory Red Tape - 2025
Context
In July 2025, the President of the Treasury Board mandated all departments and agencies to initiate a process to review their regulatory frameworks and to identify regulatory red tape and to publish a public progress report on their website by September 5, 2025. Regulatory red tape are those regulations that have complicated or outdated processes, unnecessary, duplicative or overly burdensome rules, or inefficient or unpredictable regulatory administration or service delivery. Public progress reports are to identify immediate achievements for eliminating regulatory red tape and set out priorities, plans, and targets to deliver progress over the short, medium, and long term.
Parks Canada completed the review of 29 regulations that are managed as part of its regulatory framework. There are 10 acts that fall under the mandate of the Minister responsible for Parks Canada. A total of 29 regulations are made pursuant to these acts, including the Canada National Parks Act and the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park Act. Of those 29 regulations, 27 regulations are made pursuant to the Canada National Parks Act. Regulation making authorities are also provided for under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act and the Rouge National Urban Park Act, among others. Together, these acts grant Parks Canada the authority to regulate activities within national parks, national historic sites, national marine conservation areas, and Rouge National Urban Park.
Regulations are an essential tool that enable Parks Canada to fulfill its mandate to protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage. Regulations support a wide range of Parks Canada’s responsibilities, including protecting heritage sites, conserving ecosystems, and managing visitor experiences. In this way, Parks Canada’s regulations ensure protected places are conserved and can continue to be appreciated by present and future generations.
Executive Summary
Parks Canada has completed a review of the regulations that it manages and has categorized three thematic action items to pursue as part of the regulatory red tape review process. First, Parks Canada proposes to update public notification requirements to support effective communication with the public. Second, a new governance model for historic canals will support the effective administration of these sites. Finally, the development of regulations for Rouge National Urban Park will support the effective management of Canada’s first urban park. These three action items, which are detailed in the “Next Steps” section, identify the relevant regulations implicated for each item.
Over the last several years, Parks Canada has made significant progress on three high priority initiatives that are contributing to the reduction of regulatory red tape. These three actions, which are underway, are detailed in the “Progress Achieved” section. First, Bill C-76 enabled the transfer of land use planning and development authorities from Parks Canada to the Municipality of Jasper, with further actions to facilitate this transfer underway. Second, the development of regulations for National Marine Conservation Areas will support the management of the burgeoning network of these places and prevent regulatory overlap with other federal regulators. Finally, Parks Canada is developing an Enterprise Case Management System that will digitize and unify regulatory permitting processes that will support operational efficiency and ensure consistent delivery service to Canadians.
Those regulations that have been deemed to not provide opportunities for improvements and efficiencies aligned to the scope of this regulatory red tape review exercise are listed at the end of this report.
Progress Achieved
Parks Canada has identified three actions that are currently underway that are contributing to the reduction of regulatory red tape. These three actions are detailed below and presented thematically to note how they are reducing regulatory red tape. The first two actions - enabling the transfer of land use planning and development authorities from Parks Canada to the Municipality of Jasper, and developing regulations made pursuant to the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act - are listed under the theme of “Strengthen Service Delivery.” The third action - developing an enterprise case management system to produce digital solutions for permitting - is listed under the theme of “Streamline Inefficient or Complicated Processes.”
Strengthen Service Delivery
Item 1: Enabling the Transfer of Land Use Planning and Development Authorities from Parks Canada to the Municipality of Jasper
Context
Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper have been working towards the transfer of land use planning and development authorities to the municipality for several years. Both Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper believe that residents will be well served by their locally elected officials having more direct influence over land use planning and development decisions that will help to ensure that important decision-making in Jasper sits with the municipality and its residents.
Actions
In 2024, Bill C-76, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act, received Royal Assent, enabling the transfer of land use planning and development authorities from Parks Canada to the Municipality of Jasper. The Canada National Parks Act (CNPA) prevents local townsite governments (with the exception of Banff and now Jasper) from exercising land use planning and development authorities. Bill C-76 amended the CNPA to exempt the Municipality of Jasper from this provision which will enable Jasper to eventually exercise land use planning and development authorities when municipal bylaw and processes are in place.
Outcomes
The amendments to the CNPA enacted by Bill C-76 enables the transfer of land use planning and development authorities from Parks Canada to the Municipality of Jasper, allowing the municipality to eventually exercise those authorities. The Act provides that Jasper is exempted from the National Parks of Canada Land Use Planning Regulations once a municipal land use planning and development by-law for the town comes into force. Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper continue to work collaboratively to facilitate the next steps in the transition of land use planning and development authorities, including working towards amending the local government agreement that establishes the Municipality of Jasper. The municipality must also comply with requirements under Alberta’s Municipal Government Act, including developing a community plan and passing bylaws for land use planning and development in accordance with that act.
Item 2: Development of National Marine Conservation Areas Regulations
Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act
Context
The Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act provides the Governor in Council powers to make regulations to support the management of National Marine Conservation Areas. Regulations may be made for the protection of ecosystems, and of cultural, historical, and archaeological resources, as well as to ensure that activities within these areas are undertaken in an ecologically sustainable way.
Actions
Parks Canada is developing general regulations under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act to support the management of National Marine Conservation Areas. These regulations will be nationally consistent and support enforceable tools that will apply to all National Marine Conservation Areas across the country. These regulations will be designed to complement existing federal and provincial laws that apply within National Marine Conservation Areas. As part of this process, Parks Canada is working with federal regulators to prevent overlap in areas such as fishing, aquaculture, and marine navigation.
Outcomes
National Marine Conservation Areas regulations will provide for a consistent regulatory framework to support the effective management of the growing network of these areas under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act. These regulations will be designed to provide a national framework for National Marine Conservation Areas, and are intended to prevent regulatory overlap with other federal and provincial regulators.
Streamline Inefficient or Complicated Processes
Item 3: Development of Enterprise Case Management System
Context
Parks Canada currently relies on multiple disconnected systems and manual processes to deliver regulatory services. This fragmentation can lead to delays, inconsistent service standards, and limited visibility for clients seeking regulatory actions such as permits.
Actions
To modernize and streamline service delivery, Parks Canada is implementing an Enterprise Case Management System (ECMS) to digitize and unify regulatory permitting processes. The first stage of implementation will support permitting in Jasper National Park for rebuilding efforts, enabling residents and businesses to submit, manage, and track multiple permit requests in a single portal. Future phases will extend the platform to other critical areas, including visitor safety, resource and land management, and partnership relationship management.
Outcomes
The ECMS will improve service by reducing permit processing times and supporting consistent national standards for processing permits. The system will enhance client experience through easier, faster interactions and support transparency by allowing applicants to view the status of their requests. The ECMS will provide operational efficiency by introducing fewer manual steps that will reduce error rates by providing automated validations and workflows. In particular, the system supports regulatory compliance to meet legislative, policy, and audit requirements. Real-time dashboards for performance monitoring will improve reporting and analytics, while supporting growth through the ability to integrate additional permit types and workflows in the system. Finally, the system will provide faster and more transparent permitting to support conservation and public access objectives.
Next Steps
Following a review of its regulatory framework, Parks Canada has determined that there are three action items that will be pursued as part of the regulatory red tape review process. These items are detailed below and presented thematically to note how they will reduce regulatory red tape. The first item - updating inefficient and outdated public notification requirements – is listed under “Address Outdated Requirements.” The second and third action items - enacting a new governance framework for historic canals, and developing regulations made pursuant to the Rouge National Urban Park Act – are listed under the theme of “Strengthen Service Delivery.”
Address Outdated Requirements
Item 1: Update Inefficient and Outdated Public Notification Requirements
- National Parks of Canada Camping Regulations
- National Parks of Canada Fire Protection Regulations
- National Historic Parks General Regulations
- National Parks General Regulations
- National Parks Wildlife Regulations
- National Parks of Canada Domestic Animals Regulations
Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act
Context
Several of Parks Canada’s regulations provide for outdated or inefficient public notification requirements, some of which predate modern digital technologies. Some regulations also require superintendent notices to be posted at all park entrances, which can be impractical and inefficient due to the many access points at parks. These regulations could be improved to leverage a broader suite of accessible public communication tools.
Actions
Parks Canada will work towards updating public notification requirements across its regulatory framework by identifying outdated provisions and revising them to enable a digital-first approach.
Expected outcomes
Updating public notification requirements across the regulatory framework will support more effective communications with the public through a modern notification system. In addition, updated provisions will support law enforcement at sites by ensuring a clear and transparent notification system that reaches the public through various ways.
Strengthen Service Delivery
Item 2: Enact a New Governance Framework for Historic Canals
Context
The governance framework for historic canals does not provide for the effective administration, operation, enforcement, management of water, or navigation at these sites.
Actions
Parks Canada will pursue enacting a new legislative framework that transfers authorities for the historic canals, including regulation-making authorities, from the Department of Transport Act to a Parks Canada act. This action item can only be completed following a legislative amendment that transfers these authorities to the Minister responsible for Parks Canada.
Expected outcomes
A new legal framework will enable the effective governance of historic canals that will include the replacement of outdated provisions with transparent, enforceable mechanisms that reflect the realities of administering and operating these sites.
Item 3: Development of Rouge National Urban Park Regulations
Context
The Rouge National Urban Park Act provides the Governor in Council the powers to make regulations for the preservation, control, and management of Rouge National Urban Park. Regulations may also be made for the protection of cultural, historical, and archaeological resources and natural features of the park, in addition to managing activities that take place within the park.
Actions
Parks Canada will undertake development of regulations made pursuant to the Rouge National Urban Park Act. These regulations will be designed to provide requirements and expectations related to permitting and managing the use and occupancy of the park, and for the management of agriculture, business, and special events. Regulations are also expected to provide for temporary closures for conservation and public safety reasons, as well as providing for the management of scientific research. Parks Canada will engage First Nations and key stakeholders during the regulatory process.
Expected outcomes
Regulations for the Rouge National Urban Park are expected to support the effective management of the park, including provisions to support the park and its resources, as well as providing enforcement tools, pursuant to the Rouge National Urban Park Act. The regulations will be designed to provide an effective framework that will include permitting and managing various activities within the park. The regulations are also intended to support conservation of Canada’s first national urban park.
Regulations Managed by Parks Canada that were reviewed and deemed unable to meet the objectives of the Regulatory Red Tape Review Exercise
Regulations that are part of the regulatory red tape review process action items identified in the “Progress Achieved” and “Next Steps” sections are not included in the list of regulations below. These include: National Parks of Canada Land Use Planning Regulations; National Parks General Regulations; National Parks of Canada Camping Regulations; National Parks of Canada Fire Protection Regulations; National Historic Parks General Regulations; National Parks Wildlife Regulations; National Parks of Canada Domestic Animals Regulations; Heritage Railway Stations Regulations; and Historic Canals Regulations.
The following is a list of those regulations managed by Parks Canada that were considered as part of this regulatory red tape review process but that the Agency has determined are not part of the review process at this time. The regulations listed below remain in force.
- Gros Morne National Park of Canada Snowshoe Hare Regulations
These regulations, made by Order in Council, provide for snaring snowshoe hares in Gros Morne National Park, and recognize that this activity is a traditional renewable resource harvesting activity.
- Gros Morne National Park of Canada Timber Harvesting Regulations
These regulations, made by Order in Council, provide for timber harvesting in Gros Morne National Park, and recognize that this activity is a traditional renewable resource harvesting activity. - Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve Order
This order, made by Order in Council, identifies lands for the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve which are described in two annexes to the regulations. - Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022
These regulations, made by Order in Council, provide protections for migratory birds, including prohibiting activities and providing for permits for certain activities. - Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada Snowshoe Hare Regulations
These regulations, made by Order in Council, provide for snaring snowshoe hares in Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, and recognize this activity as a traditional renewable resource harvesting activity. - National Historic Parks Wildlife and Domestic Animals Regulations
These regulations, made by Order in Council, provide for the management of wildlife and domestic animals at National Historic Sites listed in the National Historic Sites of Canada Order, and include superintendent’s authorities for their management. - National Historic Sites of Canada Order
This order, made by Order in Council, lists 54 National Historic Sites of Canada and their scheduled lands, and applies certain provisions of the Canada National Parks Act to those sites. - National Parks Cemetery Regulations
These regulations provide for the control and management of cemeteries located in certain national parks, including provisions for use of plots and graves, cemetery records, and certificates. - National Parks of Canada Aircraft Access Regulations
These regulations, made by Order in Council, provide parameters for aircraft access at national parks and park reserves, and schedule locations for those activities. - National Parks of Canada Businesses Regulations
These regulations, made by Order in Council, provide requirements to conduct business in a national park or a park reserve, including provisions for licences. - National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations
These regulations provide protections for fish in national parks and park reserves, and provisions for open seasons, permitting, and catch and possession limits. - National Parks of Canada Garbage Regulations
These regulations, made by Order in Council, provide for the collection and disposal of garbage in national parks and park reserves. - National Parks of Canada Lease and Licence of Occupation Regulations
These regulations, made by Order in Council, provide for the issuance, amendment, termination, and surrender of leases and licences of occupation in national parks and park reserves. - National Parks of Canada Water and Sewer Regulations
These regulations provide for the management of the water systems in national parks and park reserves. - National Parks of Canada Wilderness Area Declaration Regulations
These regulations, made by Order in Council, provide that those areas in a national park that are in a natural state or that are capable of returning to a natural state and are listed in the regulations are declared to be wilderness areas. - National Parks Highway Traffic Regulations
These regulations provide for the control of traffic in national parks and park reserves, including provisions for permits, parking, prohibited activities, and snow tires and chains. - National Parks Town, Visitor Centre and Resort Subdivision Designation Regulations
These regulations, made by Order in Council, provide for areas that are designated as either a town, visitor centre or resort subdivision, with surveyed areas included in a schedule. - Order Fixing the Boundaries of the Town of Banff in Banff National Park and Adding a Description of the Boundaries as Schedule IV to the Act
These regulations, made by Order in Council, provide the boundaries for the town of Banff which are listed in a schedule. - Wapusk National Park of Canada Park Use Regulations
These regulations, made by Order in Council, provide for the management of Wapusk National Park, including recognizing traditional renewable resource harvesting activities and providing for various local uses and permitting within the park. - Wood Buffalo National Park Game Regulations
These regulations, made by Order in Council, provide general rules for Wood Buffalo National Park, including various restrictions on activities in the park, as well as providing for hunting and trapping permits.
Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park Act
- Marine Activities in the Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park Regulations
These regulations, made by Order in Council, provide for various provisions that apply in the Saguenay St.-Lawrence Marine Park, including permitting and the control of activities.
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