AMPPE's Membership Update. News you won't find elsewhere .
Tourism Minister visits the Mountain Parks
Federal Tourism Minister and Associate Minister of Finance, Randy Boissonneault visited the Mountain Parks earlier this month. During his visit, he made the much awaited announcement that fully vaccinated travellers will no longer have to show a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test to enter Canada as of April 1.

During his visit, AMPPE had several opportunities to speak to the Minister on investment in the Mountain Parks, the Ministerial mandate to develop a national trail strategy, bike paths, climate change and indigenous tourism. In Jasper, the conversation centred on labour and housing issues, but the Minister has left the door open for broader conversation on other areas of interest. The Minister talked about a number of federal programs that will be enhanced in the coming months as the country's hardest hit industry gets back on its feet and encouraged stakeholders to take advantage of these programs as they are announced.

Minister Boissonneault was very receptive to our ideas and feedback and encouraged organizations to submit proposals for new projects to consider. He playfully commented that, as Minister of Tourism and as Associate Minister of Finance that he is able to "use both his right brain as well as his left brain." meaning he is in a position to potentially fund tourism initiatives that come his way. AMPPE is currently working on proposals for the Minister's consideration including proposals for investment in infrastructure to better enable active travel and for improvements for the maintenance and enjoyment of the Icefields Parkway.

Thank you to the Banff Lake Louise Hospitality Association and the Rimrock Hotel for organizing an excellent luncheon for the Minister.

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Former AMPPE Board member David Bayne
1947-2022
AMPPE is sad to announce the passing of former Board member David Bayne earlier this month. David was a legendary and well respected member of the Bow Valley's hospitality industry having served 42 years with Canadian Pacific Hotels and Resorts, and Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.

David served on AMPPE's Board for 12 years, in his words, “I was a board member of AMPPE, the Association for Mountain Parks Protection and Enjoyment, which advocates for responsible and open Park use, and offers a balance to the extreme environmental lobbies.”

AMPPE wishes to express its deepest condolences to David's family. The full obituary can be accessed HERE

Locals surprised by Parks proposed changes to Lake Louise trails
Trail users got a shock earlier this month during a Lake Louise Advisory Board meeting where Parks Canada's proposed changes to the Tramline trail and the Bow Valley Loop in Lake Louise. Parks indicated the proposed changes were aimed at improving connectivity for wildlife. AMPPE jumped in right away to seek clarification on the proposed trails this is what we know:
  • Tramline will not be closed, but, Parks will put up signage encouraging cyclists to use the Tramline Trail. Walkers will be encouraged to use the Louise Creek Trail. The goal is to dispurse trail users and to limit congestion.
  • Parks will further protect an area (see hatched area in photo) where unofficial trails have been created through signage and possibly fencing.
  • Parks wishes to close two areas along the Bow Loop trail to enable wildlife-grizzlies in particular- to move and access habitat. The area is already under a seasonal closure. Parks has indicated that it has faced pressure from environmental groups to close the area, however, at least one environmental group AMPPE consulted with was surprised by the proposed closure. When confronted with this, Parks indicated they would reconsider this decision.
  • As the Bow Loop trail is the only flat accessible trail in the area and because it is heavily used by local residents, AMPPE calls on Parks Canada to extend the closure that is already in place by two weeks rather than imposing a full closure of the trail and to use improve public education to inform trail users about the wildlife that use the path.
Drinks are on us!
With restrictions eased and spring on the way it's time to get together! Join AMPPE for an informal gathering aimed simply at catching up! I will send out a meeting invite to the newsletter list to get a better idea of numbers.
In other news....
  • New spa at the Chateau Lake Louise - The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise has applied for a development permit to build a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly well-being thermal wellness facility proposed to be located on the site of the hotel’s previous outdoor pool—which was built in 1926 and closed in 1980. The Fairmont has conducted public consultations and have received overwhelming support for this project in Lake Louise.


  • Bow Valley Parkway - After MANY conversations and after gathering input from numerous stakeholders (including AMPPE) Parks Canada announced a 3 year pilot project for cycling on the Bow Valley Parkway.

  • New Superintendents - Two Mountain Parks will be getting new superintendents soon. Sal Rasheed will be coming to lead the Banff Field Office taking over from Dave MacDonough and François Masse will be taking over from Rick Kubian in the Lake Louise, Yoho, Kootenay Field Office. AMPPE looks forward to continuing to work together with Parks Canada to ensure excellent visitor experience in these Parks.

  • Membership Fee review - For the first time in decades, AMPPE is undertaking a review of its membership dues. Invoices for the 2022 dues will be issued in late April. As you recall, membership dues were temporarily delayed due to COVID and invoices for 2021 dues were sent in July 2021. AMPPE expects to be back on track for a January issuance of membership dues in 2023.

  • Global Public Affairs- Meet the team. As you know, AMPPE employs Global Public Affairs to guide our advocacy efforts here in Alberta and in Ottawa. AMPPE's next newsletter will feature a year end advocacy report, in the meantime check out this link for an introduction to our team at GPA.

  • Jasper National Park is looking for feedback on their caribou conservation project - Check out the Parks's latest update on caribou conservation and get the links you need to provide your feedback Here AMPPE has been watching caribou conservation closely as unfortunately, Parks has made the decision to impair access to some of the best ski tours around Jasper. Check out our article on Jasper's caribou conservation efforts.



“No one will protect what they don’t care about;
and no one will care about what they have never experienced.”

~ Sir David Attenborough
CONTACT- Debbie Harksen, Director of Communications
director@amppe.org
Phone-587-335-0829