[LChoy]

Sorry to bump this.

I got tired of seeing this passed around on facebook so I wrote a response for it. However, it turned out much longer than I anticipated and too long as a reply on facebook. I thought I put it on here, and just link it to facebook if any one cared about what I said. Thanks to CP though for some of the arguments

I think this petition would be worthwhile if it was trying to promote less commercialization of the National Parks and/or minimize development in this unique natural environment. I would be all for that similar to Banff and Lake Louise resisting big box stores like Walmart from opening store there. However, the way this petition is worded makes it sound like the author is intentionally creating controversy to something they don’t have all the facts for. First of all, Brewsters is already operating in the Columbia Ice fields. They are the company that operates those special glacier buses that takes tourists on to the glaciers. They also have bus tours that take people from Calgary/Edmonton to Banff on different types of tour packages. This new proposal is regarding Brewsters wanting to build a walk way over the glaciers as another mode to experience the Ice Fields. Like any attraction, people would then have to pay if they want to use the walk way. This would be similar to the Grand Canyon walk way in the US. Again, if the petition was about how this could be environmentally disruptive building this bridge was, I can get behind it. On the flip side (and I don’t have any empirical evidence to support this), I think minimizing human and vehicle traffic physically on the glacier may help preserve it, similar to how they tell people to keep to the trails when they go hiking. Anyways, that’s what government regulators will be deciding, and presumably why Brewsters have hired lobbyist. If the petition was about the risk that lobbyist will subvert the regulatory process over environmental concerns, awesome, the petition will increase pressure to make sure the process is fair and transparent.

Now back to the petition itself. If it was to address any of the concerns brought up above, it has merit. However, upon examination, it makes a bunch of wild accusations that just aren’t true. Jasper National Park is not going to be “Privatized.” The +$20 a day to enter goes to Parks Canada just as all fees for things maintained by Parks Canada and the township. Attractions are a different story and just like any commercial attraction in society, it is operated by a private company. You want to go white water rafting, horseback riding, eat at a restaurant in town, stay in a hotel/spa...those facilities are all private companies that operate within the National Park. Last time I checked, we haven’t Nationalize any ski hills either. However, if a private company wants to build an attraction, it won’t force Parks user to contribute to it directly. You use it, you pay for it, but not everyone will be paying Brewsters simply by driving into the park. I said directly, because I’m not sure, but the financing for this project maybe supported by the government but a portion of all admission to this shall go back into Parks Canada. That is the goal here, the National Parks are trying to find new ways to finance the operation and maintenance of our National Parks.

Lastly, the whole American/foreign ownership thing is a little late as the Fairmont chain for example is owned by a Saudi Conglomerate for instance. There is probably a great commentary about how Canadian companies appear to be sold to US and foreign ownership but the fact is that as a country, we are committed to free trade and an open business environment. We would be hypocritical to have only Canadian operated companies in our National Parks, while complaining if the Americans institute a Buy American policy.

Anyways, this was much longer than I anticipated. You are free to sign any petition. However, similar to my feeling for democracy, it is best when you vote rationally on an issue rather than do so because of an angry response to an ill-informed title

Lchoy