Rationality, not radicalism, basis for national parks concern

December 12, 2000
Source: Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
Original story - link verified on December 12, 2000
By Dave Poulton

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s response to the Fraser Institute report: “Recent days have seen the renewal of a media campaign to discredit Parks Canada and those who promote the interests of nature in our national parks. The Calgary Herald editorial board has dutifully accepted this campaign without seeking input from those with opposing views.

“The pretext for the most recent publicity has been a release of a provocative “report” from the right-wing Fraser Institute. In alarmed tones, it purports to discover an environmental takeover of Parks Canada. The Fraser Institute, its handful of park business allies, and their media minions, have focused their attack on three targets: advocates for the environment, scientists, and Parks Canada itself. Let’s look at them in turn.

“As one of Canada’s foremost national environmental organization, we at the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) have been singled out as a particularly insidious radical force. What is it that we stand for that brings us this attention? We say that in the management of our national parks, we must work to understand and accommodate the needs of nature. That means resources must be devoted to a credible ongoing scientific research effort. The results of that research should then form the framework for directing the patterns of human use of the national parks. This is an approach which poll after poll indicates Canadians expect in their national parks. Not incidentally, it is also mandated by law in the National Parks Act.

”Why is this eco-system based planning necessary? Banff provides the answer by example. With over 4 million visitors per year, with the number rising annually, severe environmental effects have been noted. The combination of physical structures and the sheer numbers of visitors have taken their toll, as found by the 1996 Banff Bow-Valley Study (BBVS), ’ … we have found that ecological integrity continues to be compromised. Parks management, human use, development, the highway, and the railway have contributed to this situation, despite well-intentioned remedial action.” The BBVS called for “more creative visitor management programs that would allow more visitors to enjoy the Park, while maintaining ecological integrity,” in lieu of restricting visitor access.”

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