Say it isn’t so! Yesterday the Alberta Provincial Government decided to implement user fees on one of the most popular bedroom parks next to Calgary. Kananaskis Country will now have a $15.00/ day user fee or $90.00 annual pass fee in order to use and visit the park. Can you say cash grab? This is very disheartening, especially during a pandemic where most people are struggling to make ends meet. Kananaskis offered a place where people could go to forget for a time, that our lives have been changed forever by COVID. The so Called Kananaskis Conservation Area encompasses a huge swath of land that includes all of the Kananaskis area, the town of Canmore, Bow Valley, and existing crown land in the area (See Map). Combine this with the $30 fee to use Crown land in Alberta and camping has just become more expensive and maybe out of reach for some families now. Camping is a pastime that has been enjoyed by Albertans forever, free access to our Provincial parks has been a mainstay in Alberta culture since the days of Peter Lougheed. It was Mr. Lougheed that created Kananaskis for all Albertans to enjoy “Free of Charge”; an opportunity to enjoy and explore the rugged and beautiful landscape that we call our backyard. Now sadly only those that can afford the fee will get the opportunity to enjoy this incredible outdoor space.
Now I suppose most Albertans would not be to averse to the fee if we could be assured that the revenues generated would go to much needed improvements for the park, like better campgrounds, or better parking facilities, more garbage receptacles, and improved trail management to name a few. Alas though, the Governments track record on using revenues to improve what Albertans consider important is lacking. Their judgement on how to protect and utilize our vast ecological resources has not been stellar, and in fact has shown a serious lack in judgement and consultation with Albertans on how, and what they would like to see done with their inherited legacy. Yes, it is a sad day for Albertans and just goes to show how disconnected this current government is when it comes to listening to and protecting Albertans birthrights.
In the end it will be the average Albertan joe that will suffer under this surprise legislation, being forced out of our legacy and back into the cities, where green space is always at a premium. The opportunity to explore and remove one’s self from the crowds and dangers of COVID in the City has now been lost and most likely will never come back again. The revenues to be generated by this Cash Grab Tax will last for generations as every successive government will have a hard time ignoring or relinquishing the revenues to be generated. Now is not the time to be slapping more tax / user fees on Albertans, we are all struggling to make ends meet and this government is proving it has deaf ears to the plight of its average citizens.
Calgary Herald – Overwhelmed by Success
Calgary Herald – Crown land annual fee
unhappy trails,
The Glampurs
