Editor:
It causes us great dismay and anger when reading comments by Parks Canada that ‘rigorous environmental assessments and public review’ were conducted with respect to various developments.
During the comment period re: the Glacier Discovery Walk, thousands of people voiced their concerns about this monstrosity being built, and similarly many believed that summer use at Mount Norquay would harm the wildlife in the area.
This government is not concerned with the impact of development in the national parks and the further destruction of their environmental integrity.
And now, in Jasper National Park, a proposal has reared its ugly head to replace a day lodge with a 66-unit lodge for overnight accommodation at Maligne Lake.
Many questions arise, one of them being - will the lake be the water source for this hotel? This beautiful lake, previously known as Chaba Imne by First Nations, is in the Maligne valley which is home to grizzlies, woodland caribou, and many other species of wildlife.
Although the spokesperson for Maligne Tours attempts to assure the public that further development will not occur, one only has to remember the massive addition at Chateau Lake Louise despite criticism from the environmental movement.
No amount of opposition seems to quell this perceived need to develop in areas that were originally legislated, by government, for protection. Only when the wildlife has been squeezed from the very places where they should be protected perhaps the developers will then relent.
Carol and Peter Tracey,
Calgary
