The goal of the national parks system is to set aside lands representing the country's 39 distinct natural regions described in the National Parks System Plan, primarily to protect the ecological integrity of the land, and secondarily to allow the public to explore, learn about and enjoy Canada's natural spaces.
[2] Canada's first national park was created in 1885 through an Order-in-Council[3] to reserve 26 km2 (10 sq mi) over the Cave and Basin Hot Springs to prevent the land from being sold for private development despite claims being made for it.
[4] The idea of a national park was popular and led to numerous proposals for the Ministry of the Interior to consider, including additional sites along the Canadian Pacific Railway (e.g. Yoho and Glacier and an expansion of Banff) and the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (e.g. Jasper).
[7][8] As of July 2024[update], there are 37 national parks and 11 national park reserves, covering an area of approximately 343,377 km2 (132,579 sq mi),[9] or about 3.3% of the total land area of Canada, and representing 31 of its 39 natural regions.
[70] As of 2020[update], established NMCAs and NMCA Reserves protect 14,846 km2 (5,732 sq mi) of waters, wetlands, and coastlines, representing five of the 29 identified marine regions with studies underway for protected areas in three additional regions.
[69] The National Landmarks program was established in 1978 to protect specific natural features considered "outstanding, exceptional, unique, or rare to this country.
Only Quebec uses the term “national park” for such provincial areas, using the IUCN's category name as justification.
In addition to the national park system, several federal agencies manage natural, scientific, and recreational areas.