Be cautious with Cavell closure

The Cavell road remains a poignant issue in Jasper. It will be interesting if Ms. Lee keeps her promise and opens the road by August. If Parks Canada decides to delay the opening this year, all Canadians need to make sure that the most important eco-tourist venue remains open in future. Nowhere in North America can the casual observer, the hardcore hiker and the earth scientist get easy access to most beautiful and educational example of Alpine glaciation in the world. Not only can all Canadians see the geological history of North America (terminal moraines, lateral moraines, till plains, braided streams, eskers etc.), they can also see the effects of reduced precipitation and the quickly receding glacier. This effect may be the result of global warming. Whatever the cause, the glacial avalanches are spectacular.

In the past, Parks Canada has made serious mistakes concerning this important area within Canada. The obliteration of the Cavell Tea House during the 1970s and the continued failure to provide adequate latrine facilities and parking has been a sore point for 40 years. Furthermore, they have also shut off the Portal Creek picnic site and tossed that historic location into oblivion. I realize that non-native plants along the road need to removed and I encourage that effort whole heartly. What I would hate to see is the removal of native Canadians from the Cavell meadows. I expect Ms. Lee to manage the road improvement project with the best intentions. These roads were built by great Alberta pioneering construction firms for the benefit of all Canadians. I hope Parks Canada acts accordingly.

Antonio Anselmo