YOHO - A backcountry guiding company will have to fork over a $1,000 fine after pleading guilty to failing to have a business licence while operating in Yoho National Park.
YOHO - A backcountry guiding company will have to fork over a $1,000 fine after pleading guilty to failing to have a business licence while operating in Yoho National Park.
Canadian Wilderness School entered a plea in Canmore Provincial Court on May 9 to a charge of contravening the regulations of the Canadian National Parks Act.
The school's owner, Marc Niehaus, was also charged, but Crown prosecutor Jessica Young withdrew the charge after the guilty plea by the school was accepted by Judge Peter Barley.
Young told the judge park wardens received information last July that a company had been operating a backcountry tour on the Wapta Icefield without a valid Parks Canada business licence.
She said the tour group stayed at Peyto Hut on July 14 and, while the Canadian Wilderness School had applied, it did not have a
valid licence.
Defence counsel Tyson Dahlem said the company made an error, as it thought the guide had a valid licence that would apply to the group.
Judge Barley agreed to the $1,000 fine as a joint submission.
