Monday, January 9, 2012

Foreign Corporation interferes in Parks Canada proposal!



A friend of mine recently shared this from Avaaz.org, an American advocacy group that is involved in politics in several countries.  I'd originally heard of these guys during the Sun News licensing saga (somehow the country survived, whew).  


So it seems the Harperites are going to privatize a chunk of Jasper National Park in Alberta by selling it to an American company:
"In days, the Harper Government could privatise a section of Jasper National Park and let an American-owned company blast a 300m metal walkway into our World Heritage mountains -- but Jasper's Superintendent has the power to stop them.
The plan would not only spur development, but would give an American company the right to charge each of us for entry into parts of Jasper park. Greg Fenton, a local Jasperite, has the ability to stop the privatisation of the park he grew up in and loves -- but the company's lobbying effort means he will face pressure to sell out this natural wonder. Let's send him a tidal wave of support and give him the strength he needs to stand up to corporate power and save our Rocky Mountain sanctuary. 
Click to ensure our parks stay in public hands -- sign the petition calling on Fenton to save Jasper National Park before it's too late."
Naturally, I was alarmed.  I found the Evil American Company's website for the proposed development, and it seems Avaaz wasn't being entirely honest.  The proposal would create a skywalk of sorts, hanging over a valley, with a glass floor letting you look down into the value.  This actually sounds, and looks, really cool.




Then I found my way to Parks Canada's page on the development. Although they don't mention Avaaz, it seems to be a point by point rebuttal of Avaaz's claims.  Turns out the park will not be privatized, it will remain firmly in public hands.  Brewster Travel will not control who gets into the park, Parks Canada will.  


Avaaz supports some great causes like Arab democracy and gay rights.  I just don't get why they waste their time with stupid ones.

Parks Canada says it best:  "National parks are protected for – not from – Canadians."



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