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Is the BC government betraying Mother Nature?
Perceptions by Gerry Warner
Is there a dark cloud hanging over the B.C. Parks system similar to the cloud some fear is already hanging over the Agricultural Land Commission? One would hope not, but Bill 4 introduced in the B.C. Legislature Feb. 13 is setting off alarm bells.
If you recall, back in November 2013, concern was raised around the province when a cabinet memo was leaked to the media contemplating major changes to the Land Commission, including making it part of the Agriculture Ministry instead of a public tribunal at arm’s length from government. The memo also proposed devolving some of the Commission’s powers to the BC Oil and Gas Commission, which would be tantamount to putting the fox in charge of the chickens. An outcry broke out against the move, which is part of the government’s core review.
Fast forward to February 2014 and you get Bill 4, an amendment to the Parks Act, which could open up one of the largest park systems in the world to exploratory drilling, ore sampling and road building that could lead to industrial development in BC Parks. “These proposed changes threaten the integrity of our park system and the wild places that British Columbians cherish,” says Wildsight Executive Director John Bergenske in a letter to BC Environment and Parks Minister Mary Polak.
It would also be a great concern to Kootenay residents because the Kootenays are home to some of the most famous provincial parks in the province, including Height-of-the-Rockies, Kokanee Glacier, St. Mary’s Alpine, Akamina-Kishenina, Bugaboo Glacier, Top of the World, Valhalla and the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy. We also have several national parks, or parts of them, and these spectacular, pristine areas are the biggest tourist draw for the entire region and the millions spent by our visitors every year.
Indeed, it’s no exaggeration to say that our Kootenay parks are the Crown jewels of the entire region and anything that would tarnish these jewels would be worrisome in the extreme.
As introduced by Polak, the proposed legislation sounds opaque at best. “This bill contains amendments to the Park Act to provide increased certainty and clarity respecting the authorization of outdoor recreation, tourism, commercial filming and research activities, including academic and investigative uses, in parks and protected areas while ensuring that the natural resources and values and visitors’ experiences are protected,” Polak said according to Hansard. But what is this “increased certainty and clarity” all about?
Western Wilderness Committee policy director Gwen Barlee says the proposed amendments could open the door to industrialization of our pristine parks. “Here we have a government that seems hell-bent for leather to allow parks to not get in the way of transmission lines and pipelines,” Barlee says in an interview with straight.com, a Vancouver online publication. The legislation would create “uncertainty” about parks and other protected areas, Barlee maintains.
Under Section 9.2, the proposed amendments mention the possibility of “commercial film production” and Section 9.3 cites feasibility studies that could lead to roads, pipelines or telecommunications projects.
Bergenske says industrial activities are inconsistent with protection of biodiversity and park recreation values, adding the wording of the bill raises serious concerns. “British Columbians love their parks and want them to provide for a future of B.C. that includes wild spaces, abundant wildlife and recreation in unspoiled natural surroundings.”
There should be a “broader public consultation,” before Bill 3 goes ahead, he says.
And so there should because our provincial park system has been understaffed and underfunded for years even while Victoria was creating more parks. Trails are overgrown, buildings and signs fallen into disrepair and interpretive programing all but eliminated. B.C.’s parks were once famous for giving free firewood to campers. Not anymore! Parks are operated as profit centres with visitors paying for everything including parking in some cases.
With the development door being thrown open for farmland and parks having to pay their way, what’s next? A mall in every park? Condos instead of farms? This doesn’t sound like the “Beautiful BC” that’s so proudly claimed on our license plates.
A long time ago, the poet William Wordsmith said: “Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.” Given some of the latest political developments in B.C., it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Mother Nature is feeling betrayed these days.
– Gerry Warner is a retired journalist and Cranbrook City councillor. His opinions are his own.
