On Friday, April 17, Minister of State Transport and Member of Parliament for Yellowhead Rob Merrifield announced an injection of $17.6 million to improve infrastructure in Jasper and Banff National Parks.

Flanked by Canadian flags, Merrifield made the spending announcement on the lawn of the Palisades Stewardship Centre before a crowd of about 40 people. 

Jasper National Park (JNP) superintendent Greg Fenton presided over the announcement, calling it “important and exciting.” JNP will receive about $9.3 million for “meaningful and long-term infrastructure funding,” Fenton said. 

Projects included in the plan are repaving and drainage improvements for the Edith Cavell Roadway, Yellowhead Highway repairs (within Park boundaries), and Icefields Parkway redevelopment, which includes remarking intersections, repaving sections of the roadway, as well as repairing guide rails and clearing trees, all aimed at enhancing visitor safety and enjoyment. 

Merrifield said that Friday’s announcement was a “great event,” adding that “it is great to be able to put Jasper on the map and with some announcements to make sure that this park retains its beauty... that has been here for generations and make sure that it’s here for generations to come.”

Elaborating on the need to invest in park infrastructure, Merrifield stated that “tourism adds more to the GDP [gross domestic product] of this country than agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting all combined.” So, “what we have here is very important to the economy not only of this area, but of this country,” he said. 

“Since 2000, it was very obvious to me as a representative of this area, that Parks got shortchanged at the cabinet table,” said Merrifield, adding jokingly “that’s not in my notes by the way... it’s very important for me to be able to impress upon the cabinet... the importance of Parks to our future and to our economy. 

Merrifield also stated that now is the right time to make these economic investments. “We didn’t ask for this [recession], we didn’t cause it, but we are certainly doing our best to deal with it... we are doing our best to keep Canadians working,” he said. There’s also the added benefit that due to the rough economic times there is better competitive bidding on labour and projects, said Merrifield, which means that infrastructure can be built at a “reduced cost... at a time when we need it to be done,” he said. 

Merrifield was quick to point out and emphasize that “every one of [the infrastructure projects will] have an environmental angle to them in a sense.” The $1.95 million washrooms due for construction at Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park will utilize solar power to lessen environmental impacts, for example, he said. 

Despite the millions being spent on road improvements and other core infrastructure needs, the primary reason the announcement occurred at the Palisades Stewardship Centre was allocation of $2.3 million towards the improvement of the centre’s facilities of which the Federal Government is pledging $1 million.

The Palisades Centre, near Snaring Campground, just north of the townsite, is an educational facility for high school students, reconnecting them with natural surroundings. “I can’t think of any better example of long-term investments than in the future of our youth,” said Fenton. The Centre will help “bring children back in touch with nature,” he added.

Representatives of the Grande Yellowhead Regional Division (GYRD) such as superintendent for schools Dean Lindquist, were on hand to listen to the announcement. Betsy DeClercq, trustee for the school division stated that the improvement in infrastructure at the centre will enhance the educational opportunities for the students of GYRD. DeClercq also trumpeted the leadership of James Bartram, project lead, stewardship education, who “has been instrumental with the educational programming leadership part of the Palisades program,” she said.

Founded on four core principles (stewardship, mountain recreation, traditional culture and aboriginal awareness, and urban youth and multiculturalism), the Palisades is supported by a wide array of organizations, including Marmot Basin, GYRD, Kinder Morgan and Outward Bound. 

With the ability to host 65 people onsite, the Palisades Centre and program is “all about transformative education,” said Bartram, adding that student experiences are both “authentic” and “rich.” 

Bartram’s enthusiasm was evident as he toured around the property and explained what the infrastructure money will be used towards. “That money is [going towards] upgrading and replacing all the mechanical stuff on site,” he said. “It’s also going to build all the outdoor learning centres [eight in total]” and “it’s also going to build a new accommodation building specifically for kids because these are all heritage buildings... the rooms are small and they’re a pain to chaperone,” he said. 

Bartram also praised the visionary leadership of former JNP superintendent Ron Hooper, current superintendent Greg Fenton and Dave Gibson, President of Marmot Basin, for investing in the creation a long-term plan for Palisades development. “One of the things that put us in a very strong position [to acquire funding] was that we had a comprehensive business plan, we had a comprehensive master plan in place, so when the money was available, Jasper jumped in,” said Bartram. “We scooped a bunch of people. It’s a good day for Jasper,” he said.