Expert Advisory Panel on Moving People Sustainably in the Bow Valley in Banff National Park

Expert Panel on Moving People Sustainably Summary

·  Parks Canada has committed to creating an expert panel to advise the Agency on the Development of a long-term framework for the sustainable movement of visitors in the Banff-Bow Valley.

·  This initiative complements the Banff management planning process and stems from the input received from thousands of Canadians during our consultation to date. A draft management plan is now complete and available for public consultation. The plan includes reference to a people movement strategy and actions to address climate change.

·  The panel will look at emerging solutions and examples of best practices from around the world to consider how people arrive at, move about, and experience the national park.

·  The panel will be asked to consider transportation modes and networks, as well as other strategies and tools relating to how people access and use the park – including new technologies, infrastructure changes, and systems for communication and access.

·  In the coming months, the panel will prepare for and attend virtual scheduled meetings to participate in discussions and work towards its objectives. This will include: developing an outline of the people-moving framework, key indicators and outcomes to be monitored, and an action plan for populating the framework.

·  The work of the panel will be consistent with Parks Canada legislation, policy, management plans and commitment to ecological integrity as the first priority in decision making.

·  Parks Canada will provide an honorarium to Panel members for meetings and will incur the reasonable costs for travel, accommodation and incidentals to the Banff orientation meeting, at rates established by the Treasury Board of Canada.

Expert Advisory Selection Process

·  The panel consists of nine members, lead by one Chairperson, appointed by the President & CEO of Parks Canada.

·  Members were identified in one of two ways; from applications received through an open call to the public and through research to find individuals with expertise in specific areas, including protected area management, transportation innovation, technology, and tourism.

·  Panellists were selected based on their knowledge or experience relevant to protected area management or expertise relevant to the challenges and opportunities facing Banff National Park.

·  All panelists are expected to participate in good faith, working in the public interest with consideration for the mandate and objectives of national parks, and declaring any real or perceived conflict of interest as per Treasury Board guidance on Apparent Conflict of interest and Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment.

·  Panel applicants who were not selected will have further opportunities to participate and provide input through future public engagement opportunities via a consultation plan to be developed by the panel.  

Public Engagement

·  The Panel will develop a consultation plan and a list of interveners with whom it will meet.  Engagement will include Indigenous groups and a broad cross-section of interested groups, organizations and individuals in order to gain an understanding of issues and opportunities related to the Panel’s mandate.

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