Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report entitled "Guiding Principles and Operational Policies for Parks Canada".
Following the tabling of this document, I will make a ministerial statement to inform members of this House of the government's vision regarding the future of national parks and historic sites, as well as the promotion and development of our identity and national heritage.
Madam Speaker, this is a special day for all Canadians. With the tabling of the Parks Canada "Guiding Principles and Operating Policies", yet another step is taken in entrenching and securing the national heritage of Canada.
It is a rare day in any democracy when a minister can table principles and policies for a nation in the full knowledge that two other colleagues now sitting on the side opposite have participated in their formulation.
I would like to acknowledge the roles played by the Leader of the Opposition, the hon. member for Lac-Saint-Jean, and the hon. member for Sherbrooke, now the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. To have such a consensus regarding a policy is a rare occurrence indeed.
As Canadians, we value our freedom, our clean environment, the beauty and natural wilderness and the paths of human endeavour which have brought us to where we are today. The sense of wonder and reverence we feel as we learn about past human activities that have laid the foundation of our country stimulate a profound concern for ensuring the survival of historic places, artefacts and structures.
Despite pressures on our environment and on our heritage resources Canadians should be assured that our national parks and national historic sites will be protected and well managed for future generations to enjoy. Our national parks and national historic sites will not be worn down or worn out through overuse or neglect.
Of course since the last policy statement in 1979 there has been a greater sense of urgency in the Canadian public on environmental, ecological and heritage matters. There has been a swell of public sentiment nationally and internationally creat-
ing an expectation of leadership in the care of the environment and preservation of natural and cultural heritage.
According to recent surveys, 90 per cent of Canadians want to have more information about our country's history. The national historic sites and related heritage programs go a long way toward filling this knowledge gap.
Each year, one-third of Canadians travel to participate in heritage activities across the country. Canada's national parks and national historic sites are cornerstones of our domestic and international tourism industry. More than 30,000 jobs are associated with Canada's national parks and historic sites. They make a contribution to our national economy in excess of one billion dollars per year.
Parks Canada, through its application of the principles and policies, will maintain the integrity of natural and cultural heritage, while ensuring that parks and sites continue to play a major role in the local, regional and national economy. It will do this by ensuring that the management decisions affecting these special places are made on sound and scientifically based knowledge.
The programs administered by Parks Canada will continue to have positive impacts on local communities. They will create jobs and assist sustainable land use and ecotourism.
Highlights of the new Parks Canada policy include:
First, an update of the Parks Canada mandate to include its responsibilities for national parks, national historic sites, historic canals, heritage railway stations, Canada's heritage rivers, marine conservation areas and federal heritage buildings;
Second, guiding principles stressing that natural and historic qualities will be maintained, that Canadians will be involved and consulted, and that an orderly framework is provided for the addition of new heritage areas; and
Third, a renewed emphasis placed upon partnership and co-operation with other levels of government, communities and the private sector.
This does not mean shifting the responsibility for preserving and creating Canada's heritage to others. Our history, traditions, and the environment require partnerships for implementation of successful heritage programs and, ultimately, a stronger leadership role for Parks Canada, nationally and internationally, that will demonstrate and advocate environmental and heritage ethics and practices.
National parks and national historic sites are symbols of the Canadian identity and make all Canadians proud. In fact, I am making this speech in what is designated as one of Canada's national historic sites. And next to the Parliament buildings is one of the ends of the Rideau Canal, one of Canada's heritage waterways, administered by Parks Canada and subject to these new policies.
On that positive note I conclude my remarks on the Parks Canada guiding principles and operating policies.
