Latest news with #AlbertaParks
CTV News
03-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Warning issued after hikers followed by cougar in Kananaskis Country
Alberta Parks has issued a warning in Kananaskis Country after two hikers were followed by a cougar. Alberta Parks issued the advisory last week for Gunnery Mountain and surrounding area. The advisory affects Gunnery Mountain Trail, Gunnery Creek Trail and the Highwood Compound Provincial Recreation Area, Alberta Parks said. The area is located off Highway 541, southwest of Longview, Alta. 'Although an advisory is in place for this area, cougars can be encountered anywhere in the Kananaskis Region and at any time,' Alberta Parks said in the advisory. To avoid surprise encounters with a cougar, officials say to make plenty of noise, travel in groups, be aware of your surroundings and keep pets on a leash. Cougar sightings can be reported by calling 403-591-7755.
CTV News
02-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Park closed after hikers followed by cougar in Kananaskis Country
Alberta Parks has closed a recreation area in Kananaskis Country after two hikers were followed by a cougar. Alberta Parks issued an advisory last week, noting that the Highwood Compound Provincial Recreation Area would be closed until further notice. The closure also affects Gunnery Mountain Trail and Gunnery Creek Trail. The park is located off Highway 541, southwest of Longview, Alta. 'Although an advisory is in place for this area, cougars can be encountered anywhere in the Kananaskis Region and at any time,' Alberta Parks said in the advisory. To avoid surprise encounters with a cougar, officials say to make plenty of noise, travel in groups, be aware of your surroundings and keep pets on a leash. Cougar sightings can be reported by calling 403-591-7755.
National Observer
16-05-2025
- Politics
- National Observer
Canadian campers go 'elbows up' this summer amid US trade war
Some outdoorsy Canadians are planning to build their tents with elbows up this summer as the season unofficially kicks off this long weekend. Sally Turner says she and her husband plan to do their camping, canoeing and biking this year in Canadian national parks, including at Jasper National Park this weekend, because of the US trade war and US President Donald Trump 's calls to make Canada a 51st state. "I have, in the past, camped in the United States, but that's not going to happen in the near future," Turner said while shopping for camping gear in Edmonton. "Most of the people I know are very much choosing to camp in Canada. Elbows up." Albertan Travis Pegg, however, said he's indifferent to the trade war. "The price of fuel and the cost of getting to the States would have more influence on whether I camp there or not, not the tariff war," said Pegg, a resident of Wainwright, a town southeast of Edmonton. "I don't worry about anything I can't do anything about. It just causes stress. I just try to survive." Summer plans for some children have also been affected by the tariff war, says the head of the Canadian Camping Association, which accredits and oversees youth summer camps across the country. Executive director Matt Wilfrid says fewer children are being enrolled in summer camps this year due to the economic uncertainty Trump's tariffs have created. Wilfrid said more parents have been asking about refund policies and payment plans at their camps. He said an increasing number of camps are struggling with budgets for the summer as the cost of food, activities and staffing has become unpredictable. "Running a summer camp is akin to planning a wedding for thousands of people who don't know each other," Wilfrid said. During his election campaign, Prime Minister Mark Carney was among the Canadians calling for people to celebrate the country after Trump's threats by going to its national parks. He pledged to create a "Canada Strong Pass" that would make access to national parks free for the summer. 'Whether it's trips to national parks and historic sites, spending the day at a national art gallery or museum, or hiking Canadian trails, my new government will help the next generation discover all Canada has to offer this summer," he said. "We are a proud country – and united, we will strengthen our Canadian identity in the face of this crisis." Carney's office did not respond to questions about the status of that pledge. Back on the Prairies, Alberta Parks says it has seen around a 25 per cent increase in bookings through its camping reservation system for both March and April compared to the previous year. But Alexandru Cioban, press secretary for Forestry Minister Todd Loewen, has said it's difficult to say whether the increase is due to the tariff war. Ontario Parks says it's on track to have very similar booking numbers as recent years -- roughly 12 million. "I do not have any live stats readily available in terms of US visitors, but (I) can say that well over 90 per cent of our visitors come from within Ontario," spokesman Dave Hunt said in an email. Parks Canada said demand for camping reservations continues to be strong this summer. It says 17 per cent of parks visitors came from the United States in 2023-24, and 16 per cent came from overseas. "The steady interest highlights the enduring appeal of the natural heritage in Canada and the importance of protecting these sites for future generations," it said in an email. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Canadian campers going ‘elbows up' this summer amid U.S. trade war
EDMONTON - Some outdoorsy Canadians are planning to build their tents with elbows up this summer as the season unofficially kicks off this long weekend. Sally Turner says she and her husband plan to do their camping, canoeing and biking this year in Canadian national parks, including at Jasper National Park this weekend, because of the U.S. trade war and U.S. President Donald Trump's calls to make Canada a 51st state. 'I have, in the past, camped in the United States, but that's not going to happen in the near future,' Turner said while shopping for camping gear in Edmonton. 'Most of the people I know are very much choosing to camp in Canada. Elbows up.' Albertan Travis Pegg, however, said he's indifferent to the trade war. 'The price of fuel and the cost of getting to the States would have more influence on whether I camp there or not, not the tariff war,' said Pegg, a resident of Wainwright, a town southeast of Edmonton. 'I don't worry about anything I can't do anything about. It just causes stress. I just try to survive.' Summer plans for some children have also been affected by the tariff war, says the head of the Canadian Camping Association, which accredits and oversees youth summer camps across the country. Executive director Matt Wilfrid says fewer children are being enrolled in summer camps this year due to the economic uncertainty Trump's tariffs have created. Wilfrid said more parents have been asking about refund policies and payment plans at their camps. He said an increasing number of camps are struggling with budgets for the summer as the cost of food, activities and staffing has become unpredictable. 'Running a summer camp is akin to planning a wedding for thousands of people who don't know each other,' Wilfrid said. During his election campaign, Prime Minister Mark Carney was among the Canadians calling for people to celebrate the country after Trump's threats by going to its national parks. He pledged to create a 'Canada Strong Pass' that would make access to national parks free for the summer. 'Whether it's trips to national parks and historic sites, spending the day at a national art gallery or museum, or hiking Canadian trails, my new government will help the next generation discover all Canada has to offer this summer,' he said. 'We are a proud country – and united, we will strengthen our Canadian identity in the face of this crisis.' Carney's office did not respond to questions about the status of that pledge. Back on the Prairies, Alberta Parks says it has seen around a 25 per cent increase in bookings through its camping reservation system for both March and April compared to the previous year. But Alexandru Cioban, press secretary for Forestry Minister Todd Loewen, has said it's difficult to say whether the increase is due to the tariff war. Ontario Parks says it's on track to have very similar booking numbers as recent years — roughly 12 million. 'I do not have any live stats readily available in terms of U.S. visitors, but (I) can say that well over 90 per cent of our visitors come from within Ontario,' spokesman Dave Hunt said in an email. Parks Canada said demand for camping reservations continues to be strong this summer. It says 17 per cent of parks visitors came from the United States in 2023-24, and 16 per cent came from overseas. 'The steady interest highlights the enduring appeal of the natural heritage in Canada and the importance of protecting these sites for future generations,' it said in an email. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025.
Global News
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Alberta Wildfire on what to do — and what not to do — as May long weekend approaches
The May long weekend is the kickoff to summer for many Albertans itching to get out camping and enjoying the outdoors, but it comes at a precarious time in the province's wildfire season. This time of year, many fires are started by human activities such as campfires, burning deadfall, sparks and hot exhaust from ATVs and other off-road vehicles, cigarette butts and agriculture activity. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Alberta Wildfire said last year, 32 out of 33 wildfires that began on the Victoria Day long weekend were caused by humans. In 2023, it was 16 out of 25 fires. 'There is a misconception that we are trying to limit the ability of people to enjoy the back country — but that isn't the case,' said Alberta Wildfire public information officer Kevin Hunt. 'We really do take a look at what the weather conditions are — what are our current and forecasted fire loads are.' Story continues below advertisement Sarah Komadina went out to Crimson Lake Provincial Park near Rocky Mountain House to learn more from Alberta Wildfire and Alberta Parks officials about the current fire bans and restrictions, and how they could impact recreation plans. Learn more in the video above.
