AWA Letter: Commercialization of National Parks

December 22, 2015

The Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

By email: ec.ministre-minister.ec@canada.ca

Dear Minister McKenna,

Re: Commercialization of National Parks

Commercialization of our national parks is not a new concern. In fact throughout Alberta Wilderness Association’s (AWA’s) 50 years, we have a number of letters on file that speak eloquently about the discouraging and disappointing trend toward the commercialization of our National Parks. We are encouraged that Prime Minister Trudeau’s mandate letter to you included the need for you to investigate and address the increasing commercialization that is threatening the biological and ecological integrity of these sacred and protected areas throughout Canada.

AWA works throughout Alberta and with colleagues in other provinces to Defend Wild Alberta through Awareness and Action. In this our 50^th year, we count over 7,000 members and supporters. We are on the record speaking out at numerous public hearings and opportunities for comment throughout the years and have been disappointed time and again with the lack of regard for the long term consequences of commercialization of our national parks.

The July 31, 2015 decision to approve changes to the Site Guidelines for the Lake Louise Ski Area in Banff National Park, despite strong opposition from Canadians and Albertans, including conservationists and naturalists, recreationists, park residents and even many local businesses is yet another example of how frustrating the direction of national parks management has become. In AWA’s official submission to the Hon. Leona Aglukkaq we listed 18 concerns with the proposal. Our concerns along with many others were merely summarized in a “what we heard” document that had seemingly been pre-prepared, and no alteration to the Site Guideline revisions were made before they were quietly approved. The revisions were made to the 2006 Ski Area Management Guidelines, a document intended to apply to the entire Rocky Mountain National Park system. These 2006 guidelines included many limits and compromises that were hard-fought-for and agreed to with the understanding that they were to comprise a hard cap on the extent of commercial intrusion by ski operations into mountain park ecosystems for the foreseeable future.

It was extremely disappointing to find that not even ten years later, this work was being thrown out in favour of a document that would allow further incursion. A difficult public consultation process that led to the 2006 document was disregarded and expansion approved.

There are other examples in our mountain national parks, including proposals for development at Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park. Squarely in the middle of prime habitat for endangered Caribou, the proposal included a luxury hotel that was rejected because its approval would have been a blatant violation of the park Management Plan, however 12 of the 13 elements of the plan remain in place.

Commercial “adventure tourism” developments such as via ferrata and the Glacier Skywalk in Jasper scar previously pristine wilderness landscapes. Marathons, “Gran Fondo” and “Tour of Alberta” bicycle races bring unsustainably large crowds of people and associated support structures right into the middle of sensitive wildlife habitat during cubbing and calving seasons. Proposed events such as the NORAM cross-country ski races precipitate the cutting of trees and widening of ski trails in Banff National Park against the express wishes of locals and recreationists who use the existing facilities.

National Parks are set aside with the express goal of preserving our natural heritage and maintaining the ecological integrity of our wilderness areas. “Enhancing the visitor experience,” a phrase we have heard from Parks Canada Agency many times over the last years has taken a narrow approach to the reasons why people come to our parks. When asked time and again, the first things people mention when asked why they come to the parks are the bears, the wildlife, and the scenery. They do not mention the built attractions mentioned above. Visitors value the interpretive services that help everyone learn and know more about the natural values of an area, yet these are being eliminated in favour of commercial enterprises. They mention the opportunity to sit and watch wildlife, to take photos and to hike on well cared for trails to explore these wilderness areas. For those who understand the true nature of protecting a National Park, the course we are on is one of irreversible consequence.

It is not only conservationists like AWA who are speaking out. It is not only residents and recreationists and naturalists that are opposed to these developments. These developments and the commercialization of National Parks in general have been notably opposed by former Parks Canada employees, scientists, wardens and supervisors. People who have been deeply involved in the drafting of existing rules and management plans, and who have expert knowledge and understanding of the effects this increasing commercialization will bring. These experts are among those who are most fervently opposed.

The present day trend towards National Parks becoming little more than manicured playgrounds needs to stop. Canadians need a firm commitment from the government to the true nature and intention of protecting our future, our biodiversity, our health and our wealth. AWA believes that Parks Canada must reassure Canadians that protection of ecological integrity is the priority in Banff National Park and indeed all our National Parks. We respectfully request that you make the original intent of National Parks a priority and reverse recent changes to the Lake Louise Ski Area Site Guidelines, and reject proposed expansion and development plans at Lake Louise Ski Resort.

We are hopeful you will have time for serious consideration of the concerns we represent and that we might meet with you to discuss these growing concerns in the coming months.

Yours truly,

ALBERTA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION

Sean Nichols,
Conservation Specialist