AWA - Executive Director - Mike Holroyd - admin@albertawhitewater.ca
Parks Canada Contact List
Members of Parlament
Quick cut/paste of emails - admin@albertawhitewater.ca, ron.hallman@pc.gc.ca, jewel.cunningham@pc.gc.ca, christine.loth-bown@pc.gc.ca, Darlene.Upton@pc.gc.ca , information@pc.gc.ca, banffsuperintendent-directeurbanff@pc.gc.ca, jaspersuperintendent-directeurjasper@pc.gc.ca, llyksuperintendent-directeurllyk@pc.gc.ca, directeurwaterton-watertonsuperintendent@pc.gc.ca, mark.carney@parl.gc.ca, julie.dabrusin@parl.gc.ca, Adam.vanKoeverden@parl.gc.ca
Letter Template below - Please add real stories of your experience on the water, and the impact this Ban has on you.
[Your Name/Organization Letterhead/Contact Information]
[Date]
To: Parks Canada Agency & Members of Parliament
Subject: Formal Expression of Dismay Regarding the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program in the Mountain National Parks
Dear Parks Canada Leadership,
I am writing to express my profound dismay and concern regarding the design and implementation of the current Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) program within the Mountain National Parks. While I fully support the goal of keeping our rivers clean and safe, the current plan is fundamentally flawed, suffers from inconsistent application, and demonstrates an unacceptable lack of consultation with essential stakeholders.
Canadians possess a fundamental right and desire to paddle on their waterways, a low-impact activity that is integral to experiencing our National Parks. This right is being unnecessarily curtailed by a policy that has lost sight of balancing protection with public enjoyment.
[add your personal story and impact]
Inconsistent and Arbitrary Policy Application
The current plan displays numerous inconsistencies in application across the mountain parks, resulting in arbitrary restrictions:
- Risk Disparity: The program allows high-risk equipment, such as motor boats on Minnewanka, while often banning low-risk paddling craft (kayak, canoe, SUP). This is contradictory to the principle of risk mitigation.
- Geographic Inconsistency: There is a clear lack of a cohesive, or coordinated approach. For example, Jasper has maintained a common-sense approach, keeping many popular water recreation zones open, often utilizing waterfall barriers in some places. In contrast, Banff has kept lakes open but severely restricted rivers.
- Connectivity Issues: Connectivity issues are inconsistent, such as the disparities found between Waterfowl Lake/Mistaya River/North Saskatchewan River and Cameron Lake/Cameron Creek, or how Banff handles the Pipestone, Cascade, and Red Deer, compared to Jasper’s approach to rivers.
- Timing: Dropping these restrictions in March, right before the paddling season, demonstrates poor collaboration and disregards the public’s and tourists’ existing plans and commitments.
Failure in Stakeholder Consultation
Parks Canada’s mandate states that it works in collaboration with the public, provinces, Indigenous peoples, and stakeholders. This was not upheld.
- Exclusion of Experts: None of the recreational user organizations were consulted before these closures. The Alberta Whitewater Association is the recognized authority on whitewater in Alberta, while Paddle Alberta has the pulse of canoeing and sea kayaking. Whitewater BC champions access in BC, and the new Packraft Canada advocates for backcountry paddling..
- Lack of Recreational Research: We do not believe Banff, in particular, has conducted adequate research on water-use prior to implementing these restrictions, leading to inequalities due to insufficient knowledge of how waterways are used.
Sustainability - Financial and Enforcement Concerns
We believe that current funding and enforcement models compromise the effectiveness of the AIS program.
- Starving the Agency: The policy of providing free Parks passes is starving the agency of the revenue needed to keep the Park open and safe, undermining the resources required for a robust AIS program.
- Non-existent Enforcement: There is virtually no enforcement of the current AIS program, rendering any restrictions meaningless.
- Lack of Coordination: There is a critical lack of coordination with the Alberta and BC provincial governments, where a western AIS firewall could be implemented.
- Revenue Opportunity: Instead of outright bans, Parks Canada could generate revenue through permits for clubs or individual permits, similar to how commercial access is still allowed.
The Value of Paddlesports to Canadians
Restricting paddlesports undermines the very values Parks Canada is tasked to protect and present. Paddlesports (kayak, canoe, SUP) are a major recreational activity, done by 35% of Albertans in a given year, according to the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association survey.
- Economic Impact: River recreation brings in significant tourism dollars and is an important piece of the parks’ image. As an example the Bow Basin has an economic impact around $150 million annually through paddlesport and angling.
- Health Benefits: Being on the water in our Mountain Parks brings essential mental, physical, and social benefits to Canadians.
- Cultural Significance: Paddling is steeped in the history of the Mountain Parks, whether it is the iconic moments of the Marylin Monroe, the Trudeaus, or Justin Bieber, or the historical experiences of figures like Churchill and Queen Elizabeth. Paddling was the original way to travel for people like David Thompson & Joseph Howse. Apart from the AIS risk, paddling remains the ultimate low-impact way to experience our National Parks.
Where is the Commitment to Paddlesports activities?
Parks Canada’s commitment to other backcountry activities, including ski grooming, trail building and maintenance, campgrounds and amenities, and rescue services is clear and consistent. We must ask: where is Parks’ commitment to paddlesports? Why are we treating different user groups with such inconsistency? As the lowest impact users in the Park, the AIS risk deserves a proportional, not a "hammer approach," to mitigation.
Solutions and Partnerships
Common-sense solutions that support conservation while facilitating public access:
- Education and Certification: We can help develop education programs. This could include a mandatory Self-Certification or a formal Certification system, similar to what is utilized in several states.
- Cleaning Stations: The implementation of mandatory cleaning stations, similar to those successfully operating in Elk Island, Quebec campgrounds, and New Zealand
- Enforcement: If a fair, accessible system is implemented, then robust enforcement with heavy fines must follow.
- Permit System: A flexible permit system for commercial operators and club trips should be utilized, providing both monitoring and a revenue stream.
I urge Parks Canada to immediately suspend the current inconsistent policies and engage in meaningful consultation with the Alberta Whitewater Association and partners, including the Outdoor Council of Canada, Paddle Alberta, Canoe Kayak Canada, the Calgary River Users Alliance, and others.
Sincerely,
{Your Name}
{Place of Residence}
