Ben Holland (Moraine Lake)

Moraine Lake, Banff National Park

Canada established its first national park in 1885 by setting aside 26km² of land around hot springs in Banff, Alberta. The Federal government enacted the National Parks Act in 1930 to regulate the protection of natural areas within Canada that are of cultural and national significance. Since 1930, national parks have been established in every province and territory in Canada. Federalism, the system of government where power is divided between a central authority (Federal government) and a constituent authority (Provincial government), requires national park land to be federal government property. Provincial governments negotiate transfers of administration and control of the land to the Federal government, and then the National Parks Act is used to formally create the national park.

Coordinates: 51.3217° N, 116.1860° W

This content has been updated on 9 January 2017 at 12 h 52 min.