Canada is divided into 39 terrestrial regions, each with a distinct appearance and vegetation. To protect a sample of these ecosystems, the government has determined that each region should be home to a national park.

Creating new parks is a lengthy process and can be broken into five steps. Click on each step for more details.

1. Identifying representative natural areas
2. Selecting potential park areas
3. Assessing park feasibility
4. Negotiating a new park agreement
5. Establishing a new national park in legislation

1. Identifying representative natural areas
This step is largely research based and concentrates on areas that do not already have national parks. Areas selected in this stage must represent the natural features that characterize the region, including wildlife, vegetation, geology and landforms. The area must be in a natural state and human impact should be minimal.

2. Selecting potential park areas
After two or three areas have been identified as potential national parks, further studies must be conducted to examine the area's cultural heritage, ecological integrity, as well as opportunities for public understanding, education and enjoyment. In addition to these factors, Parks Canada also examines the quality of natural region representation, the potential for supporting viable populations of native wildlife, the possibility of long-term sustainability and the implications of Aboriginal rights.

3. Assessing park feasibility
Once a single area has been selected to become a national park, a detailed feasibility assessment with public consultations must be conducted. This step is the most lengthy and generally involves a three to four year study that includes consultation between the federal and provincial governments, First Nations, non-government organizations, relevant industries and the general public. During this phase, possible park boundaries are established in an effort to best protect the ecosystems, landscape features and cultural heritage of the region.

4. Negotiating a new park agreement
It is a constitutional requirement that national park lands must be owned by the federal government. In cases where provincial or territorial governments administer the land, a federal-provincial or federal-territorial agreement is usually negotiated, transferring administration and control of the land to the federal government.

Potential parks located within areas subject to First Nations land claims can be established as part of negotiated land claim settlements. If land claim resolutions are pending, a national park reserve can be established until land claims are resolved.

New park agreements include details such as land transfers, final park boundaries and park management.

5. Establishing a new national park in legislation
The final step in establishing a national park involves parliamentary legislation and the application of the National Parks Act. Areas subject to First Nations land claims can establish national park reserves which are subject to the National Parks Act and Regulations, and allow traditional native hunting, trapping and fishing to continue. The boundaries and establishment conditions of national park reserves can only be set after land claims are settled.