Parks Canada has recently announced a significant investment of CA$71 million in federal funding for four mountain national parks located in Alberta and British Columbia.
As per a report, the funding will be used to improve the safety and experiences of visitors to Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks.
The investment will be used to upgrade critical infrastructure in the parks, such as Parks Canada’s emergency call dispatch system, as well as several roadways and bridges.
This includes repairs and rehabilitation of primary and secondary highways in Jasper, Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks, as well as the design of new bridges in Jasper National Park. These upgrades will not only provide safer travel experiences for visitors but also maintain quick and effective response times in the event of dangerous situations.
Terry Duguid, the federal minister of Environment and Climate Change and minister responsible for Parks Canada, stated that “robust roadway improvements through the iconic mountain national parks will provide safer traveling experiences for Canadians to connect with nature.
The funding also includes improvements to the community of Lake Louise, located in Banff National Park.
The hamlet, which sees around four million visitors annually, has experienced a 29% increase in visitors between 2010 and 2019, resulting in a 71% increase in traffic volume in some areas.
The funding will be used to repair water and sewer infrastructure and redesign Lake Louise Drive to ensure that visitors have a high-quality experience while also protecting the area for future generations.
Parks Canada has also announced that this funding is part of a larger CA$557 million investment over the next three years to ensure the continuation of infrastructure projects and maintenance work in the parks.
The four parks are part of the Canadian Rocky Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Site, and ecological impact assessments will be conducted to manage the impact of infrastructure projects and, when possible, increase ecological gains for park ecosystems.
The federal government has taken the initiative to preserve and protect these national parks and ensure that they remain accessible and safe for visitors to enjoy while also preserving them for future generations.
These investments will upgrade critical infrastructure in national parks across Canada, improving the quality of life for surrounding communities while keeping the parks safe and accessible all year round.
Isn’t it cool how they’re jazzing up Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks with a $71 million upgrade? I’m all for making sure visitors have a blast while staying safe. It’s neat they’re beefing up the emergency systems too. Plus, they’re not just sprucing things up for us now but also looking out for the future enjoyment of these stunning parks.