Editorial

One year ago, a piece of land along the Maligne River was blessed. That land was designated as a cultural area for Aboriginal groups with historic ties to Jasper National Park. It was officially opened July 20.

National parks are made for adventure and exploration. They’re the prime location for pushing limits, whether it’s in a raft, on a mountain face, in the backcountry or on a glacier. There are endless opportunities to get your adrenaline pumping.

In the past, Parks Canada has been criticized in this space for engaging the public for the sole purpose of crossing public consultation off its decision-making to-do list. But that can’t be said of the agency’s latest decision.

Tourism Jasper markets our community and park as a place where “the wild has never left the wilderness.” Jasper, according to our marketing organization, is a sanctuary for visitors to retreat to.

Check the radio, switch to an iPod. Find an artist, change the song. Punch in a location on a GPS. Drink coffee. Light a cigarette. Talk to a friend. Grab something from the backseat. Pick up the phone, send a text message.

Watching the flood waters rise in southern Alberta late last month and seeing similar waters attacking Toronto this week is a reminder of how fragile our communities are to unexpected natural disasters. In Jasper, the chance of a flood is low.

Is the news shocking? Not really. Thousands of Canadians knew a skywalk wasn’t something that belonged in a national park. They even voiced those concerns to the powers that be—Supt.

They’re full of tales of times past—tales that are invaluable to this town and region.

He asked them acknowledging that the project has put the municipality and council in an “uncomfortable” situation—a situation that has had the community questioning the municipality’s competency and transparency.

People are so excited to start their vacations, they drive while tired. They speed in order to spend just a few more minutes relaxing and soaking up the sun.