BANFF, ALBERTA, January 29, 2010 – The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, Minister responsible for Parks Canada and Regional Minister for Southern Alberta, along with Mr. Blake Richards, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose, today announced that the Government of Canada is investing in environmental protection projects and visitor experience enhancements in the mountain national parks. These $21.2 million investments will fund projects to help protect and restore park ecosystems while welcoming visitors to these special places.
“Protecting the environment is important to Canadians and our national parks help do just that while providing visitors an opportunity to experience and understand these special places,” said Minister Prentice. “These contributions will directly fund important programs to improve the ecological health of our parks, a critical element of real, inspiring and memorable visitor experiences.”
Projects announced include a $8.45 million project to restore diverse plant and forest communities and reduce the spread of mountain pine beetle through the use of prescribed burn programs in Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay national parks; a $954,000 project to improve water culvert design to improve fish movement and restore habitat connections to improve the health of aquatic ecosystems in Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Mt. Revelstoke, Glacier and Waterton Lakes national parks, and; $11.8 million in roadway and bridge repair to improve public safety and provide an improved visitor experience along the Trans-Canada Highway, Bow Valley and Icefields parkways.
“These Government investments will enable Parks Canada deliver on its mandate to both protect these treasured places and welcome Canadians to them,” said Mr. Richards. “With this investment in the mountain national parks, this Government has taken decisive action to improve the health of our national parks and the safety of visitors for years to come.”
Minister Prentice also highlighted the improvements that have occurred this past year as part of twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park, including the recent awarding of a $22.1 million contract for the design/build of the Icefields Parkway Interchange to Graham Design Builders of Calgary. This contract is part of the $230 million that the Government of Canada has provided to Parks Canada over the past year for the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway, including $130 million funding provided under Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
Unique attributes of the twinning project are the wildlife crossing structures – among the most innovative in the world – that have established Parks Canada as a recognized expert in highway-related environmental protection measures.
Canada’s mountain national parks are part of Parks Canada’s nation-wide network of national parks, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites that is recognized as one of the finest systems of protected areas in the world. Parks Canada works to ensure Canada’s cultural and natural heritage are presented and protected for the enjoyment, education and appreciation of all Canadians, today and in the future.
Information:
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Michelle Macullo
Communications Officer
Parks Canada
403-762-1526
