Question Period Note: Public Accounts 2018-2019

Public Accounts 2018-2019

• Parks Canada places belong to all Canadians. They represent the very best that Canada has to offer and tell stories of who we are, including the histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples.
• Parks Canada conserves the environment, protects our heritage, and provides Canadians with opportunities to discover and enjoy our country’s most treasured places.
• The Agency is also the largest federal land administrator and manages the second largest infrastructure portfolio in the Government of Canada.
• In 2018-2019, Parks Canada spent an unprecedented amount of 1.5 billion dollars, which includes:
• $606 million in providing visitors with opportunities to enjoy and appreciate Parks Canada national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas in safe and meaningful ways;
• $367 million for the management of heritage canals, highways and townsite management, such as maintenance and improvements of the Trans-Canada Highway; and
• $254 million in conservation investments in our heritage places for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.
• The Government of Canada is committed to responsible financial management and effective use of taxpayer dollars.

• Each fiscal year, the Parks Canada Agency submits information to the Receiver General for inclusion in the Public Accounts of Canada. Under the Financial Administration Act, the Public Accounts of Canada must be tabled by December 31. Shortly after the tabling in the House of Commons, the Public Accounts will be made public on Public Services and Procurement Canada’s website. The President of the Treasury Board is expected to table the Public Accounts of Canada in early December 2019.
• Although no sensitive information was submitted by Parks Canada in the Public Accounts of Canada 2019, the following items are highlighted for information:

Unspent Authorities

The Parks Canada Agency Act stipulates that the Agency’s appropriations are in force during two fiscal years. As such, $500.3 million in unspent authorities from 2018 2019 will be made available for use in 2019 2020. Unspent authorities are mainly the result of changes in the nature and timing of investments in national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas for infrastructure initiatives related to heritage, tourism, highway and waterway built assets.

Acquisition of land, buildings and works

$474 million in acquisition of land, buildings and works were reported in 2018 2019 (2017 18: $422 million). Examples of significant works include the twinning of the Trans Canada Highway in Yoho National Park and concrete repairs on canals locks. The increase of $52 million is the result of funding received via the Federal Infrastructure Program.

Contractual rights

$207 million in contractual rights (such as future revenues from commercial and residential leases) were reported in 2018 2019 (2017 2018: $68 million). The increase of $139 million is largely due to a change in reporting requirements.

Environmental liabilities

Parks Canada recorded a liability of $59 million in 2018 2019 for 88 sites where contamination is suspected. The most significant is the Rideau Canal, Kingston Inner Harbour Marsh which represents 40.6% (or $23.8 million) of the total amount reported.
Parks Canada has developed an action plan and uses environmental assessments conducted by Parks Canada scientists and specialists to reduce environmental liabilities at the Rideau Canal, Kingston Inner Harbour Marsh.

Losses

$2.3 million in losses were reported in 2018 2019 (2017 2018: $6.1 million). The decrease of $3.8 million is due to fewer wildfires and floods. In addition, the Waterton wildfire loss reported in 2017 2018 was increased from $0.5 million to $7 million this year.

Payments of claims against the Crown

$1.2 million in claims against the Crown were reported in 2018 2019 (2017 2018: $0.3 million). $1 million relates to a motor vehicle accident that occurred in a National Park.

Question Period notes as provided by the Department to the Minister’s Office