[ska]

I don't know if there's a previous thread on this already, but I wasn't able to find any...

But incase you haven't heard about it, there are plans on privatizing Jasper National park. If you've ever enjoyed camping/ hiking/ skiing/ etc. in Jasper, you know that fighting privatization is a worthy cause.

Please make your voices heard.

The link below takes you to a petition against the privatization of Jasper National Park:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/jasper_development/?rc=fb&pv=17

Posted: 5 January 2012
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.

Click to ensure our parks stay in public hands -- sign the petition calling on Fenton to save Jasper National Park before it's too late.

another related article:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/Nat ... story.html

[PostFactum]

What's the problem? They don't cut trees, kill animals, or catch indians for Toronto zoo. They just build point for a view. I would make 2 sectors one free and one not. It will calm down society.

$1:

"Currently, we Canadian citizens, as owners of the national parks, pay the park entrance fee and then have unrestricted access to highways and roadside pull-offs."

- Sounds very beautiful, but if to look what means "owner" from the point of law in this case, is obviously that it's just words. In all countries, and constitutions (if it is there).

[DrCaleb]

PostFactum PostFactum:

What's the problem? They don't cut trees, kill animals, or catch indians for Toronto zoo. They just build point for a view. I would make 2 sectors one free and one not. It will calm down society.

$1:

"Currently, we Canadian citizens, as owners of the national parks, pay the park entrance fee and then have unrestricted access to highways and roadside pull-offs."

- Sounds very beautiful, but if to look what means "owner" from the point of law in this case, is obviously that it's just words. In all countries, and constitutions (if it is there).

The point is that the National Parks have remained untouched and pristine. The point of having a park is for the preservation of animals and natural habitats. (I lived in Jasper for a few years, still have lots of friends there)

It's not about making money. Banff townsite has become the opposite of Jasper, Banff is crowded and coldy commercial. Jasper has tried to remain a 'small town'.

I'm very much against anything in a National Park that isn't for the benefit of the animals.

[andyt]

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

I'm very much against anything in a National Park that isn't for the benefit of the animals.

They're wringing their hands over the downturn in park visitors. Obviously you're one of those elitists who only care about fit, able bodied people who can hike into the parks to enjoy them. Have a thought to all the differently larded folks, will ya. And what's the point of having all that land just sitting there without turning a buck?

[DrCaleb]

andyt andyt:

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

I'm very much against anything in a National Park that isn't for the benefit of the animals.

They're wringing their hands over the downturn in park visitors. Obviously you're one of those elitists who only care about fit, able bodied people who can hike into the parks to enjoy them. Have a thought to all the differently larded folks, will ya. And what's the point of having all that land just sitting there without turning a buck?

I know you are being sarcastic, but yes. The park is for the animals first. I've seen shit there that would make you wonder whether there should be more parks like Jasper so as to reduce the population of stupid people and bring the average IQ up.

I used to love to ride mountain bike up Signal Mountain, or into the Valley of the Five Lakes. There is a spectacular golf course and canyon tours for regular folks.

I've had people (20 years ago) ask "I see the plugs on the front of your cars. Are they electric?" or "Where are the rides?" or (guy in ski outfit, holding skis) "When does the shuttle leave for the hill?". "Well sir, November some time". (It was mid July)

I've had park wardens relate stories of people who wanted to get a better picture of the bear with their child, so they slathered jam on the kids hand and let the bear lick it off. (The kid did not survive). I've seen people pull their motorhomes over to the side of the road (no shoulder) and walk out in front to cross the road, usually just missing a west bound Semi truck. Every year, several people do that and do not miss the truck.

I saw one person get down on his hands and knees and paw the ground, facing a bull Elk in rut. When the Bull Elk decided he wanted to butt heads then mate with the man, the man ran bck into his tour bus. The Elk caved the side of the bus in, and had to be destroyed because of all the physical damage it recieved.

I had another Park Warden tell me about a group of people that had surrounded a deer that was grazing - without realizing they did it. When the deer realized it was surrounded by predators, it reared up and slashed out with it's front legs, just destroying one guys coat. The guy screamed at the Warden "I'm going to sue!". The Warden advised him the deer probabally didn't have any money.

The park needs fewer people and less construction, not more.

[andyt]

I agree. But probably most people don't. They pay taxes for something that isn't much use to them. We've already sold out a lot of Canada, I'm sure the parks are on the list as well.

I would phrase it differently tho - the park is for nature first. How the animals manage within that is up to them. I'm not sold on our ability to "manage" wildlife.

[Cfox]

Sorry to bring up and older thread, but as far as I have found, the only new item is that the project was approved. http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/cp-nr/release_ ... &andor1=nr
and yet Avaaz still has their campaign running. https://secure.avaaz.org/en/jasper_development/?asOiadb

I am still less than impressed that funding for visitors will be leaving the park system and going to Americans.

[bootlegga]

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

It's not about making money. Banff townsite has become the opposite of Jasper, Banff is crowded and coldy commercial. Jasper has tried to remain a 'small town'.

That's one of the reasons I love Jasper - it's so quiet and peaceful. I'm of the opinion that if you want a latte and sushi (or any other big city ameniities) go to Banff instead. But don't try to turn Jasper into Banff lite...