AWA Letter: Commercialization of National Parks

April 6, 2016

The Honorable 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

RE: Commercialization of National Parks

Dear Minister McKenna,

Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) works towards protecting and restoring vital networks and wildlife corridors throughout Alberta, including the five National Parks within the province.

The recent decision to approve the Site Guidelines for the Lake Louise Ski Area in Banff National Park was opposed by Albertans and the broader Canadian public including conservationists, recreationists, and park residents. We are disappointed by the recent announcement that this decision will not be revisited.

AWA sent a letter December 22, 2015 raising concerns about the commercialization of our National Parks. The Lake Louise Site Guidelines approval is only one instance of many where commercial development is taking preference over ecological integrity. Projects such as “adventure tourism” and large-scale athletic events taking place in the parks indicate to us the original intent of ecological integrity as the first priority in the National Parks as outlined in the 1988 Canada National Parks Act is not being upheld.

Recent budget announcements show that funding for the “visitor experience” greatly exceeds conservation. For instance, based on reports of your recent announcement of infrastructure money for Banff National Park, a total of $6.2 million was allocated for ecological protection (rehabilitation of wildlife underpasses), verses a total of $26.8 million for infrastructure (highway repaving, campground upgrades, and facility improvements at Bow Lake and Peyto Lake day use areas). Further, in the federal government’s Budget 2016, new funding announced for National Parks in Alberta was $65.9 million for a new biking and walking trail in Jasper National Park, while no explicit mention of funding for ecological protection was mentioned.

Please give serious consideration to slowing down and eliminating further commercialization of our National Parks. AWA would like a firm commitment from the government to the true nature and intention of protecting biodiversity in National Parks. We look forward to your timely response to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

ALBERTA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION

Andrea Johancsik,

Conservation Specialist