Gulf Islands; Photo by Francine Mercier

In September 2002, Canada’s Prime Minister launched a plan to create ten new national parks, expand three existing national parks, and create five new marine conservation areas over a five-year period. Soon after the federal government committed much-needed resources to this plan, and set aside additional funds to help protect the ecological health of existing national parks.

Since that time Canada has established two new national parks. Ukkusiksalik (Wager Bay) National Park in Nunavut is the first of Canada’s parks to encompass an entire watershed—a stunning achievement. On the Pacific coast, BC’s new Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, home to a vibrant diversity of marine wildlife and migratory birds, protects twelve islands.

By 2008 Canada’s National Parks Action Plan will produce the following new or expanded protected areas. Nature Canada will be tracking progress every step of the way.

National parks

	Torngat Mountains, NL
	Mealy Mountains, NL
	Manitoba Lowlands, MB
	Bathurst Island, NU
	East Arm of Great Slave Lake, NT
	South Okanagan-Lower Similkameen, BC
	Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Precambrian Natural Region
	Northern Interior Mountains and Plateau Natural Region (BC &/or YK)

Marine conservation areas

	Gwaii Haanas, BC
	Southern Strait of Georgia, BC
	Western Lake Superior, ON
	Iles de la Madeleine, QC
	One additional marine conservation area

National park expansions

	Nahanni, NT
	Waterton, BC
	Tuktut Nogait, NT & NU