Two groups of young Quebecers who stopped in Banff National Park on their way to the West Coast and set up their tents to camp overnight were fined in provincial court this month.
Cedric Morin accepted responsibility for a group of five people illegally camping at the end of Vermilion Lakes Road on June 16.
Crown prosecutor Jeremy Newton told Judge G. Gaschler the group, which had four tents set up, did not have a fire and did not have food attractants at the campsite.
He said the group were cooperative and apologetic and blamed the fact they were unaware of the need for a permit in a national park for camping on their youthful naiveté.
“Due to their cooperation and early guilty plea, we are recommending a fine of $200,” he said.
Duty counsel Benedict Leung said the group was travelling from Quebec to B.C. to pick fruit for the summer.
A second group of campers were found camping illegally at the Pipestone trailhead on June 4 by wardens, according to Newton.
All four entered guilty pleas to contravening regulations of the National Parks Act and were fined $200 each.
Leung said the group was travelling to Tofino and did not have money for a hotel room.
A third group of illegal campers also pleaded guilty in court that day. Onderj Klima, Tomas Mazar, Ales Pestuka and Jan Hvara entered pleas to illegal camping charges in relation to an incident at Cascade Ponds on June 10. Newton said wardens located two males sleeping in a vehicle, and two in a nearby tent at the day use area.
He also said food, garbage and alcoholic beverages were on, under and around the picnic table – including smokies.
“Of note, a black bear was observed at that day use area on the previous day,” he said.
Gaschler noted smokies would make a tempting attractant for wildlife.
“Smokies are just an invitation for a bear, sir,” said the judge. “When bears become used to garbage they sometimes have to be destroyed and that is not what we hope to happen in a national park.” Leung said it was the group of Czech citizens’ first time in a national park.
