Skywalk report only a draft

Re: “Report calls Skywalk a threat to Jasper,” the Journal, June 20. Parks Canada is compelled to respond to this article regarding the draft report on conservation issues in the Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site and the Brewster Glacier Skywalk.

Our concern is that this draft report is being misrepresented as the views of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In fact, this report was completed by a thirdparty consultant. It still requires validation, peer review and acceptance by the IUCN. In due course, Parks Canada will receive a formal report directly from the IUCN’s head office in Switzerland and will respond.

Parks Canada is concerned that making these draft papers public may compromise the integrity of the review.

Parks Canada supports the development of innovative activities that allow Canadians of all ages and abilities to experience our national parks.

We strongly reject the notion that developments like the Brewster Glacier Skywalk or cable-assisted climbing at Mount Norquay ski area represent a “high threat” to the conservation of the parks. In fact, these projects are consistent with federal legislation and Parks Canada policy, and underwent rigorous environmental assessments.

In the case of the Brewster Glacier Skywalk, Parks Canada expressly took into account the nomination values of the World Heritage Site in reaching a decision and we demonstrated that those values would not be diminished.

Parks Canada protects our mountain parks for all Canadians. Our team is demonstrating international leadership by implementing innovative and results-based conservation initiatives of which all Canadians should be proud. Alan Latourelle, chief executive, Parks Canada, Gatineau, Que.