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The Canadian National Parks encompass over forty protected areas, including National Parks, National Park Reserves, National Marine Conservation Areas, and one National Landmark. The National Park System includes 157 National Historic Sites, which, like the parks, are operated by Parks Canada.

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. Parks Canada–the governing 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 over 60% complete. Canada's parks are managed to first protect the ecological integrity of the park, and secondarily to allow the public to explore, learn about and enjoy Canada's natural spaces.

Parks referred to as National Park Reserves will become National Parks once outstanding land claim issues have been resolved. Parks with this designation include Pacific Rim, Kluane, Nahanni, Gwaii Haanas and Torngat Mountains. As of 2005, fesability studies have been undertaken for establishing further national parks in four areas: Wolf Lake in Yukon, South Okanagan-Lower Similkameen in British Columbia, Manitoba Lowlands (north-western Lake Winnipeg) and Mealey Mountains in Labrador.

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. Canada's two NMCA's are found in Ontario (Fathom Five) and Quebec (Saguenay-St. Lawrence).

• 1885 - Banff National Park established, Canada's first National Park. Originally this park was called Rocky Mountains National Park.
• 1908–1912 - Four national parks established in Alberta and Saskatchewan with a mission akin to national wildlife refuges. All would be abolished by 1947 once their goals were achieved.
• 1911 - Dominion Parks Branch created, the world's first national park service. Resided in the Dept. of the Interior.
• 1930 - Canada's parliament passes the first National Parks Act. which was an act ensuring the respect of national parks.
• 1930 - Transfer of resources agreement signed.
• 1979 - National parks policy is revised to make preserving ecological integrity the priority in Canadian Parks, ending the so-called dual-mandate with recreational uses.
• 1984 - First National Park established through a land claim agreement
• 1988 - National Parks Act amended formalizing the principle of ecological integrity in the park system.
• 1989 - The Endangered Spaces campaign is launched by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and World Wildlife Canada to encourage the completion of the national parks system. The goal of the campaign is to have parks and protected areas which represent each of the country's approximately 350 natural regions.

• List of Canada's National Parks
• List of National Historic Sites
• National historic site
• National Landmark
• Protected areas of Canada
• Provincial park
• Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
• James B. Harkin - first commissioner of national parks
• World Conservation Union (IUCN)

• Parks Canada Official Site
• National Parks System Plan
• Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)
• World Wildlife Fund - Canada
• National Park Warden Association

v • d • e National Parks of Canada
National parks	Aulavik • Auyuittuq • Banff • Bruce Peninsula • Cape Breton Highlands • Elk Island • Forillon • Fundy • Georgian Bay Islands • Glacier • Grasslands • Gros Morne • Ivvavik • Jasper • Kejimkujik • Kluane • Kootenay • Kouchibouguac • La Mauricie • Mount Revelstoke • Point Pelee • Prince Edward Island • Pukaswa • Prince Albert • Quttinirpaaq • Riding Mountain • Sirmilik • St. Lawrence Islands • Terra Nova • Tuktut Nogait • Ukkusiksalik • Vuntut • Wapusk • Waterton Lakes • Wood Buffalo • Yoho
National Park Reserves	Gulf Islands • Gwaii Haanas • Pacific Rim • Torngat Mountains • Mingan Archipelago • Kluane • Nahanni • Tuktut Nogait
Marine Conservation	Fathom Five • Saguenay-St. Lawrence