Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
Outdoors guides are currently lobbying Parks Canada to be part of the business licensing processes review to ensure a stable future for their profession.
The Interpretive Guides Association, the Outdoor Council of Canada and Association of Canadian Mountain Guides gave a joint presentation to council during its regular meeting on Sept. 19, with the goal of getting a letter of support from council.
“Since the beginning, guides have been an essential resource for newcomers to this place,” wrote Wendy Niven, Jasper representative for the Interpretive Guides Association, for her presentation.
“Guiding has always been integral to Jasper. It was those first guides that built the Jasper we know today. Today’s guides continue to create safe, memorable connections to Jasper.”
As Jasper gets busier, Parks Canada has been building new strategies to ensure the park remains protected while still providing experiences for visitors.
“One key strategy of the Management Plan is to review the business licensing processes for guided recreational activities by 2025,” Niven wrote.
“For the rafting community, business licensing processes have already changed – without consultation.”
The delegation asked council to write a letter of support to ensure the three groups could be part of the business licensing processes review.
Tourism Jasper, AMPEE, the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta, the Outdoor Recreation
Coalition of Alberta and Leave No Trace Canada have already pledged letters of support.
“We hope that by combining our voices, we can be part of a solution that continues to safeguard Jasper National Park, while ensuring there are opportunities for the guiding community to thrive, and visitors to make connections and enjoy this place safely,” Niven added.
Coun. Kathleen Waxer described the presentation as articulate and thoughtful.
“The presence of guides in our community is partly what makes us a mountain community, and I think it is something very important to be preserved.”
Coun. Rico Damota described guides as a great asset to the national park system and agreed that they needed support.
“I think we need to advocate at a higher level with the same type of integrity in supporting the change but making it beneficial for those that are investing.”
Mayor Richard Ireland noted that the municipality had a unique system of governance that only covers a small part of the park and is specifically excluded from trying to exert any authority outside of this area.
“However, I see before me a room full of residents who have come to their council asking for some assistance, and to the extent that we are not dealing with the merits of the arguments that you will make or the outcomes but only with process and that is a process that allows you at the table, I am certainly supportive of the requests.”
Council accepted the presentation as information and voted to provide a letter of support to the Interpretive Guides Association as requested.
