Parks Canada has announced funding to improve safety and experiences for visitors to four mountain national parks in Alberta and British Columbia.
It says the $71 million in federal funding for Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay national parks includes upgrades to critical infrastructure, such as dispatch for Parks Canada emergency calls, as well as several roadways and bridges.
Parks Canada will repair and rehabilitate primary and secondary highways in Jasper, Banff, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks and begin designing bridges in Jasper National Park.
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“Strong roadway improvements through iconic mountain national parks will provide safer travel experiences for Canadians to connect with nature,” said Terry Duguid, federal minister for environment and climate change and responsible for Parks Canada.
$71 million in federal funding for Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks includes critical infrastructure upgrades. January 23, 2023.
Supply: Parks Canada
“Improving Parks Canada’s first response capabilities with dispatch equipment upgrades will maintain quick and effective response times to dangerous situations.”
The funding also includes improvements to the community of Lake Louise, Alta., such as repairs to water and sewer infrastructure and the redesign of Lake Louise Drive.
The hamlet has been one of the busiest areas of Banff National Park, with approximately four million visitors annually.
A recent report found a 29 percent increase in visitors to the entire park between 2010 and 2019 — and a 71 percent increase in traffic volume on some of the roads surrounding Lake Louise.
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“Our government works with local Indigenous groups and rural communities to ensure we provide high-quality visitor experiences while protecting our natural wonders for generations to come,” said Edmonton MP, Federal Minister for Tourism Randy Boissonault said.
“Today’s investments will drive critical infrastructure upgrades in national parks across Canada, improving the quality of life for surrounding communities while keeping the parks safe and accessible throughout the year.”
Parks Canada says the money is part of a recently announced $557 million in funding over three years to continue infrastructure projects and maintenance work in the parks.
$71 million in federal funding for Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks includes critical infrastructure upgrades Jan. 23, 2023.
Supply: Parks Canada
Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks are part of the Canadian Rocky Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ecological impact assessments are used to manage the impact of infrastructure projects and, when possible, increase ecological benefits to park ecosystems.
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