Our PSAC bargaining team met with Parks Canada on September 9 and 10 to continue negotiating a collective agreement that reflects the complexity of the work our members do. 

We tabled new proposals recognizing the unique responsibilities carried out by park wardens, wildland firefighters and visitor safety personnel, who all perform first-responder duties. These roles can involve demanding, high-pressure, situation, from wildfires and search and rescue operations to medical emergencies, often in remote locations with limited backup. Our collective agreement must reflect that reality through proper recognition, support, and protection.  

Our priorities at the table 

We are seeking improvements that would: 

• Align Parks Canada policies with the National Joint Council directives 
• Improve overtime, standby and call back pay provisions. 
• Give employees greater flexibility in hours of work. 
• Create new allowances to support employee fitness and well-being. 
• Improve mental health support and provide leave for employees who experience critical incidents. 
• Recognize the important work of our members, including those with first-responder duties. 
• Ensure members who cannot take their scheduled lunch breaks are paid for the time they work. 

We continue to press the employer to address job precarity, which affects approximately 43% of Parks Canada’s workforce, including term, casual and student employees.  

The employer responded to only a handful of the proposals we tabled last round and has yet to answer most of our demands. We’ll keep pushing for meaningful answers and real progress on the issues that matter to our members. 

What happens next 

Our bargaining team returns to the table with Parks Canada on December 2–3, where we’ll continue to press for responses to our outstanding proposals. 

How you can support 

• Read the full PSAC proposals and employer’s proposals to find out what we’re fighting for. 
• Learn more about workforce adjustment and its impact on job security. 
• Get to know our bargaining team so you know who represents your interests. 
• Talk to your coworkers about what’s on the table and why it matters to you. 
• Participate in rallies, info pickets, lunch-and-learns and other mobilization events in your area. 
• Subscribe to our mailing list for the latest bargaining news.