Those considering camping rough or without a permit in Banff National Park should think twice, because if you get caught, the decision will be a costly one.
Several people learned that lesson the hard way last week in Alberta Provincial Court in Canmore, which is where those who breach National Parks Act regulations are required to appear to face charges.
Stephanie Paledeau, James Savard, Benoit Marchand and Liam Brown were just a few of those charged with contravening the regulations of the Act by illegally camping in Banff this summer or by having a messy campsite.
All four pleaded guilty to the charges against them in front of Judge Judy Shriar and each received a fine as a result.
Crown prosecutor R. Newton provided the judge with the facts for each, starting with Paledeau, who pleaded guilty to having a messy campsite and having liquor during a long weekend ban.
Newton said wardens received a complaint on July 1 to attend the Lake Louise campground. When they arrived, said Newton, the site registered to Paledeau had garbage and food unsecured and unattended, which is not permitted in the national park as it could attract wildlife.
“Wardens found open liquor as well as food,” he said.
Shriar imposed two fines on Paledeau, who lives in Quebec; $200 each for the charges of having an messy campsite and open alcohol.
Savard pleaded guilty to illegally camping in Banff at Hector Lake and was fined $300.
Newton told the judge that wardens were patrolling Hector Lake on July 3 when they found two people camping on the lake without a permit.
He said while the campsite was well kept and clean, Savard did not have a permit to be camping in that location at that time.
Brown had a higher fine than the other illegal campers – $400 – but wardens required the use of a helicopter to find his illegal campsite along Rockbound Lake on July 2.
Newton said the helicopter was used by wardens to locate two illegal campsites on the lake shore and both, including Brown, who was advised the area was not open to camping.
Marchand pleaded guilty to illegally camping just outside the Banff townsite. Newton told the judge that wardens were on foot patrol in the bushes near the Fenlands in early July when they saw Marchand standing by the river.
“He quickly walked away and they followed him,” Newton said.
The wardens, he said, followed Marchand to his campsite in the woods and charged him with camping without a permit and failing to maintain a site.
Shriar fined Marchand $200 on each count.
