Stop the Commercialization of Jasper National Park

The information that follows is from avaaz.org.  When we visited Banff and Jasper National Park in the fall of 2010, I was surprised at how much control Brewster Canada (an 80% American owned company) had over major tourist attractions in the parks.  I hope they will not gain more power over this beautiful area and I hope readers will do their research and sign the petition!–Paula MacMillan

Photo:  Columbia Icefield

In days, the Harper Government could privatise a section of Jasper National Park and let an American-owned company blast a 300m metal walkway into our World Heritage mountains — but Jasper’s Superintendent has the power to stop them.

The plan would not only spur development, but would give an American company the right to charge each of us for entry into parts of Jasper park. Greg Fenton, a local Jasperite, has the ability to stop the privatisation of the park he grew up in and loves — but the company’s lobbying effort means he will face pressure to sell out this natural wonder. Let’s send him a tidal wave of support and give him the strength he needs to stand up to corporate power and save our Rocky Mountain sanctuary.

Help make sure our parks stay in public hands — Click here sign to the petition calling on Fenton to save Jasper National Park before it’s too late:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/jasper_development/?vl

The 300m metal walkway over the world-famous Icefields Parkway will be built by Brewster Canada — a premium travel company that is an 80% owned subsidiary of the American-based company VIAD. Both are fully profit-driven companies that value their bottom line over the preservation of our natural heritage. Though the initial development project is small, this decision sets a dangerous precedent, allowing the government to hand over control of our most valuable and beautiful landscape.

VIAD and Brewster have hired expensive heavyweight lobbyists to win over the Harper Government and Jasper National Park. But our voices, brought together from across Canada, can drown out the dangerous message coming from these corporate lobbyists.

Our call only needs to reach Greg Fenton, the Park’s Superintendent and the person who has the final say on the approval of the project. With thousands of Canadians pounding on the door of Fenton’s office already, this is our chance to ensure that Jasper does not set a precedent allowing commercial operators to convert our National Parks into profit-making attractions.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/jasper_development/?vl

Avaaz has fought hard to protect our natural environment by campaigning on climate change, whaling and protecting our oceans — now we can come together to save our parks from corporate ownership.

With hope,

Emma, Ari, Ricken, Morgan, Stephanie and the entire Avaaz team.

Sources:

Jasperite, Greg Fenton, returns home to become superintendent of Jasper National Park (Parks Canada)
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/ne/cybernouvelles-enews/ne9_07.aspx

National Parks – and the views – belong to Canadians (Calgary Herald)
http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/National+parks+views+belong+Canadians/5850372/story.html

Feedback Deadline Looms, Decision Expected Next Month (The Fitzhugh)
http://www.fitzhugh.ca/news/5826-feedback-deadline-looms-decision-expected-next-month

Record of Lobbying (Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada)
https://ocl-cal.gc.ca/app/secure/orl/lrrs/do/publicSummary?language=en_CA®Dec=667988&searchPage=publicBasicSearch&sMdKy=1326215370761

National Parks should be Wildlife Sanctuaries, not Cash Cows (Green Party of Canada)
http://greenparty.ca/media-release/2012-01-09/national-parks-should-be-wildlife-sanctuaries-not-cash-cows