‘An indignant protest against vulgarization’

Dear Editor,

As an actively involved and informed youth member of our community, one who was born and raised in Jasper, I do not feel that the proposed Glacier Discovery Walk belongs in our national park. This structure would not foster public appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure the ecological and commemorative integrity and therefore does not respect Parks Canada’s mandate.

People come to this park to experience the wonders and majesties of our untouched natural environment. It isn’t right to exploit, privatize and artificialize Canada’s national parks. The Glacier Discovery Walk will set a huge precedent for development and privatization in national parks across Canada. This proposal will have a negative and dangerous environmental effect and impact on our park and our wildlife, in particular the mountain goats and sheep. I am concerned that not enough longitudinal research has gone into the proposal and that a company that is currently allowed to drive unsustainable monster busses on our greatly receding glacier, which also happens to be a hydrological apex for the northern hemisphere, is gaining further private leaseholds on our public spaces.

When I think back to the most memorable experiences I’ve had with nature, it’s always been when I’m deeply absorbed in the purity and simplicity of the environment. It’s when I’m connecting with nature on a deep, almost spiritual and sensual level. It’s when I look around and I’m truly awed by what I see and I feel like I’m truly a part of it. Standing on a 400-metre, man-made, modern, awkward, tacky structure and then going on a 30-metre glass platform overlooking a landscape is not how I connect with nature. I’m deeply confused about how this platform will engage people with their surrounding environment.

Big corporations are destroying the natural habitat and ecological integrity that parks are supposed to preserve and protect. This is not what our world wants. This is not what the citizens of Jasper want. Our national parks could soon be the only non-urban natural and pure ecosystems left in Canada. Parks Canada has the authority to keep Jasper National Park and all parks unharmed for many future generations. They have the power to put ecological integrity first, and refuse expansion and “enhancement” of our Parks. Canada’s national parks do not need to be improved or enriched for the economic interest of anyone.

As a participant of the programs offered by the Palisades Stewardship Education Centre sponsored by Parks Canada, I have had engaging and educating experiences with nature. This is the direction that Parks should be moving towards; educating people on how they can protect and preserve our parks and assisting them to connect with and love nature. 

Why not keep on suggesting to Brewster to start having guided interpretive hikes and walks using the resources they already have? I do believe that the tourists who come here sometimes aren’t connected, caring or involved with nature, but I also believe that it’s up to Parks Canada to facilitate the opportunity and create partnerships with enterprises, while putting ecological integrity at the forefront.

J.B. Harkin, commissioner of Parks Canada from 1911 to 1936, once said, “What is needed in Canada today is an informed public opinion which will voice an indignant protest against any vulgarization of the beauty of our national parks or any invasion of their sanctity.” For J.B. Harkin and for my future children and grandchildren, I am voicing my indignant protest against the vulgarization of my national park.

The solution is simple; we don’t need a massive structure jutting out of a cliff to figure it out.

Sabrina Charlebois

Grade 11, École Desrochers