The Conference program includes an incredible line-up of English, French and bilingual presentations demonstrating the diversity of interests, expertise and the contributions parks offer to our health and wellbeing. The preliminary program is now available with as much information as possible based on confirmed presentation authors and we will continue to update details as soon as they become available. We look forward to seeing you in October!
*** Note: the program is subject to change
The program is built around 4 major themes to create meaningful opportunities of dialogue within the parks community and also with partners from related sectors such as tourism, education, health and industry:
COLLABORATING and building relationships that ignite the powerful benefits of Nature
CONNECTING with and fostering a love for Nature through a diversity of experiences
CONSERVING and supporting the diversity of life to meet the needs of all species
LEADING by supporting professional development and performance excellence
9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Pre-Conference Workshops |
5:00 pm | Conference opening Grand evening to celebrate the official opening of the 2019 Canadian Parks Conference, showcasing the Indigenous Host Nation and the 11 First Nations of Quebec. |
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Exhibitors’ Fair |
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm | OPENING CEREMONY |
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm | KEYNOTE SPEAKER: |
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm | OPENING EVENING including hors-d’oeuvres service and a performance by an Indigenous artist |
6:00 am – 7:00 am | Early Bird Morning Activity |
7:00 am – 5:30 pm | Exhibitors’ Fair |
7:30 am – 8:30 am | Breakfast |
8:30 am – 9:30 am | KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Alan Latourelle – Facing Challenges and Opportunities for Parks with Leadership |
9 :30 am – 10 :00 am | Break: Networking & Exhibitors’ Fair |
10:00 am – 11:00 am | STREAM SESSION #1 A) COLLABORATION TO IMPROVE LAND RELATIONSHIPS B) HEALTH CONNECTIONS C) BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION D) CULTIVATING YOUTH LEADERSHIP E) EXPERIENCING PARKS IN THE 21ST CENTURY |
11:00 am – 11:30 am | Break: Networking & Exhibitors’ Fair |
11:30 am – 12:30 pm | STREAM SESSION #2
F) INCLUSION G) NATURE IN THE CITY H) CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION J) COLLABORATIVE MANAGEMENT IN THE NORTH K) THE MAKING OF A NATURE TOURISM DESTINATION |
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch: Buffet and Exhibitors’ Fair |
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | SPECIAL SESSIONS
AA) INDIGENOUS-LED GUARDIAN PROGRAMS IN CANADA BB) EDUCATION AND PARKS |
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm | Break: Networking & Exhibitors’ Fair |
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm | STREAM SESSION #3 L) RESPECTING WORLD VIEWS M) YOUTH CONNECTIONS N) CLIMATE CHANGE FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES O) EXCELLENCE IN OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT |
5:00 pm – 5:15 pm | Transition Break |
5:15 pm – 7:00 pm | CANADIAN PARKS FILM FESTIVAL
In collaboration with A for Adventure, the CPFF is an event to showcase and celebrate short films that promote people and cultures, organizations, groups and/or communities that highlight the many benefits of parks and protected areas from the following four perspectives: CONNECT, CONSERVE, COLLABORATE AND LEAD. Along with refreshments and popcorn, a series of selected short films representing the diversity of Canada will be broadcasted, highlighting regions from coast, to coast, to coast. |
7 :00 pm | DINNER ON US
The 2019 Canadian Parks Conference and the Quebec City Convention Center will offer a dinner voucher program with outstanding local restaurants to provide delegates an organized opportunity to dine in reserved nearby spaces. A process for selecting local cuisine options, without the fuss of worry of payment or reservations, will be managed upon arrival. |
6:00 am – 7:00 am | Early Bird Morning Activity |
7:00 am – 2:00 pm | Exhibitors’ Fair |
7:30 am – 8:30 am | Breakfast |
8:30 am – 9:30 am | KEYNOTE SPEAKER: |
9 :30 am – 10 :00 am | Break: Networking & Exhibitors’ Fair |
10:00 am – 11:00 am | STREAM SESSION #4 P) INTEGRATING PARKS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES Q) PARKS AS CLASSROOMS R) NATURE CONSERVATION S) FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY T) SOCIAL IMPACTS OF PARKS |
11:00 am – 11:30 am | Break: Networking & Exhibitors’ Fair |
11:30 am – 12:30 pm | STREAM SESSION #5 V) COLLABORATING TO CONNECT WITH AND TAKE PRIDE IN NATURE W) TECHNOLOGIES IN PARKS X) INDIGENOUS-LED CONSERVATION Y) MUNICIPAL PARKS LEADERSHIP Z) BEING OUTSIDE IN A DIGITAL AGE |
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch: Buffet and Exhibitors’ Fair |
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | SPECIAL SESSION
CC) BEYOND 2020 |
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm | Break: Networking |
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm | CLOSING PLENARY
DD) CREATING A STRONGER VOICE FOR PARKS IN THE 21ST CENTURY |
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm | CLOSING CEREMONY |
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm | 5 À 7 : Networking reception |
7:00 pm | Conference closing
Closing celebration with all delegates to share a festive evening highlighting new relationships, our love for Nature and a shared vision for action. |
7:00 pm – 12:00 am | CLOSING EVENING — Details to follow |
Site visit #1 — OLD QUEBEC & PARC DE LA CHUTE MONTMORENCY
Enjoy and Old Quebec visit including an introduction to the presence and evolution of Quebec's defensive system and an opportunity to visit various military components of the city. The visit will end at the Artillery Park, discovering among other things the 1806-1808 relief plan of Quebec.
Lunch at the Manoir de la Chute-Montmorency, where you will be welcomed with a delicious 3-course meal while enjoying breathtaking views on the waterfall.
Finally, end in a visit of the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency with a cable car ride and several spectacular viewpoints to admire the 83 meter high waterfall.
Site visit #2 — WENDAKE
An immersive journey within First Nations culture!
Visit the Huron-Wendat Museum to learn more about the history, culture and arts of the Wendat Nation and other First Nations.
Lunch at the restaurant La Traite to enjoy a 3-course meal of Indigenous-inspired cuisine.
Then visit the traditional Huron Onhoüa Chetek8e site—a unique opportunity to discover the history, culture, dances and lifestyle of the Hurons of the past and of today.
Site visit #3 — PARC NATIONAL DE LA JACQUES-CARTIER
The Jacques-Cartier River dominates the landscape of this territory, occupied for centuries by Indigenous peoples, explorers and loggers. Today, the moose, beaver, osprey, brook trout and many other species are masters and kings of this magnificent region.
You will have a chance to explore this National Park by choosing one of these three activities:
a) Hiking in the heart of the Valley (guided activity), where you’ll see rich and diverse fauna, a generous forest with green undergrowth carpeted in moss, a majestic river that bears witness to a long history and unforgettable landscapes.
b) ”Shelters under rock” (guided activity) - Shelters or caves? On a 1 km course, come explore a fascinating and surprising environment. Discover an intriguing hundred-meter long passage surrounded by gigantic boulders, cool corridors and moss carpets!
c) Rabaska canoe (guided activity) – Travel by a rabaska canoe over the water to experience the spectacular valley of moose, beaver, salmon, brook trout and great herons.
A boxed lunch is included in this site visit.