Power, participation and relationships: an evaluation of decentralization in the planning and management of Quetico Provincial Park

Abstract

There has been a global trend towards the decentralization of protected area planning and management. This study used a decentralization framework to determine if the planning and management of Quetico Provincial Park has been decentralized since its inception in 1909. The study found that public participation in the planning and management decision-making process has increased, but that decentralization has not occurred. However, it was found that even though actors such as local communities, ENGOs, and tourism outfitters do not have the power to make planning and management decisions, they are able to influence the decision-makers through participating in the process and developing relationships with all actors including the government representatives.