Protect BC's world-famous park system from privatization and environmental degradation.
Tell Premier Campbell and BC Environment Minister Penner to keep our parks public and protected for
all British Columbians...more
Keep BC's parks public
Protect BC's parks from privitization
The British Columbia government revealed on July 27, 2006 afternoon they were moving ahead with privately funded roofed accommodations, including lodges and resorts, into provincial parks.
The Minister of the Environment, Barry Penner, launched the Park Lodge Strategy by announcing that he would be issuing requests for proposals for the development of roofed accommodations in 12 arks including Golden Ears, Fintry, Mount Assiniboine and Wells Grey.
The Strategy is controversial because it allows private-for-profit development within park boundaries, has proceeded without public consultation, lacks tools to limit expansion of private facilities, permits helicopter and float plan traffic and would allow foreign multinationals to develop in BC parks.
Eighty-seven percent of BC is already open for business. The thirteen percent that is set aside for protection should be off limits to private development. Private resorts and lodges should not be located within protected areas, they should be situated on the perimeters of parks where they benefit local communities while still allowing people easy access to the park.
Freedom of information documents obtained from the BC government by the Wilderness Committee show that the BC Park Lodge Strategy also includes provisions for “major resorts” within park boundaries. According to the government documents resorts of this scale typically “include pools, tennis courts, ski hills and/or golf courses.” The documents also refer to “high end” facilities with up to 100 beds and staff housing.
