Latest news with #ParksCanada
Edmonton Journal
an hour ago
- Edmonton Journal
Opinion: As more Albertans explore parks this summer, it's time to protect nature
Article content The Canada Strong Pass grants free admission for all to national parks and historic sites, meaning more people than ever will have the opportunity to explore our greatest shared wonder: the natural world. Our connection to the cherished landscapes, mountains, waters and wildlife defines Alberta and our culture, and cannot be overstated. Article content Increased access is worth celebrating. Getting into nature is a fundamental part of people's health, as well as the health of society at large. When people connect with nature, they're also more likely to care for it. That's why this summer is a hopeful one — it's a chance to grow a new generation of nature advocates. Article content Article content Article content For Albertans, this conversation hits particularly close to home. The Rocky Mountains are more than a destination; they're part of our identity. From the towering peaks of Banff to the pristine wilderness of Jasper, these landscapes shape how we see ourselves and our place in the world. The same is true across Canada, where our national parks preserve the very essence of what makes this country extraordinary: vast boreal forests, rugged coastlines, Arctic tundra and prairie grasslands that stretch to the horizon. Article content Article content The Canada Strong Pass encourages more people to discover these treasures. This is fundamentally positive. Connection to nature is essential for our collective well-being and environmental consciousness. When visitors experience the majesty of a sunrise over Lake Louise or make memories in the mountains with friends or family, they become stakeholders in conservation. These experiences forge the emotional bonds that sustain long-term environmental protection. Yet, increased visitation also brings challenges. Popular trails suffer from erosion, wildlife becomes stressed by human presence and fragile ecosystems face increased pressure. The problem isn't that too many people love our parks; it's that we need to invest more in managing that love responsibly. We need increased resources to manage existing parks, and we need more parks for both people and nature. Article content The federal government must match the Canada Strong Pass with strong parks management and education — empowering visitors to minimize their effects — to balance recreation with protecting nature. Parks Canada is doing heroic work with what they've got, but they're stretched thin. Article content Record numbers of visitors are flocking to Canada's 37 national parks and 11 national reserves each year. Since 2010, visitor numbers have exceeded 12 million, and in 2024 reached 15 million, according to Parks Canada. Trends are similar in Alberta. This puts pressure on existing parks and the species that live there. We need to ensure we put adequate resources into managing existing parks and create more protected areas and parks to make enough wild space for both people and wildlife to thrive.
Edmonton Journal
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
All six Canadian venues cancel Christian musician Sean Feucht's shows
Article content U.S. Christian musician Sean Feucht is continuing his Canadian tour in spite of having to find new venues for all six shows. Article content The City of Vaughan, where Feucht was to have finished the first leg of the Let Us Worship: Revive in 25 tour on Sunday afternoon at the Dufferin District Park, confirmed to National Post that it had cancelled the special event permit 'on the basis of health and safety as well as community standards and well-being.' Article content Article content Article content While Feucht describes himself as a musician, missionary, author and activist, his religious and political views — including his stance on abortion, gender, and the LGBT community — have made him a polarizing figure. He's also been closely aligned with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement and is an ardent supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration. Article content WORSHIP FROM THE WHITE HOUSE 😱😱😱 Still cant believe this happened!!! And the sound of praise from this place is circumventing the world! We do this AGAIN at the US Capitol steps on Tuesday, July 22nd at 5pm!! We keep striking the ground! 🔨🔨🔨🔨 #LetUsWorship — Sean Feucht (@seanfeucht) July 18, 2025 Article content Article content The cancellation began in Halifax earlier this week, where Feucht was scheduled to play at the York Redoubt National Historic Site until his permit was pulled by Parks Canada, which cited 'heightened public safety concerns.' Article content Article content 'Due to evolving safety and security considerations based on confirmation of planned protests, input from law enforcement, and the security challenges with the configuration of York Redoubt, Parks Canada has reassessed the conditions of the permit and potential impacts to community members, visitors, concert attendees and event organizers,' the agency wrote in statement to National Post. Article content The show did proceed, albeit 70 kilometres northeast from its original site, when a farmer in Shubenacadie opened up his field. A video shared to Feucht's social media channels show farm equipment knocking down tall grass to make space for parking.
Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
Jasper wildfire: How the forest ecosystem has changed, one year later
The Jasper wildfire left its mark on the Alberta mountain community in more ways than one. While 30 per cent of the town burned, many hectares of Jasper National Park's backcountry were damaged by flames. The fire burned five per cent of the mountain park's forested land. The fires broke out on a hot, warm and windy week — a terribly perfect combination to fuel the flames. 'The three fires that started were being pushed by 85 km/h winds, so they grew quite rapidly because we were very dry,' said Landon Shephard, a Parks Canada fire and vegetation specialist. Parks Canada notes that wildfires allow for ecosystem renewal, allowing species like coniferous trees to regrow and animals to thrive in a new habitat. Story continues below advertisement 'You start to see a different suite of birds using the landscape, you see another different suite of animals and species that like the edge of where fire meets green,' Shephard said. The fire felled trees, incinerated shrubs and left the mountains looking sparse — a barren, charred landscape. But look closer and there is beauty to be found. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Estelle Blanchette, the owner of Jasper Food Tours, started offering a new tour this summer focusing on the natural process of wildfire and regrowth. Hikers go on a four-kilometre tour of the impacted area, where they can see wildflowers, mushrooms and tree seedlings sprouting. Story continues below advertisement 'Watching it happening live in real time is fascinating; we're learning every day,' Blanchette said. 'It was just black dirt in the fall last year. None of this was there,' she said of the fragile new growth. There's a prevailing attitude in Jasper that the carnage can teach lessons to visitors on the impacts of climate change, how forests regenerate through wildfire and how towns can prepare. View image in full screen Fireweed growing at the site of the 215 Excelsior fire along Maligne Road in Jasper National Park. Credit: Parks Canada Now, as the community regrows, so does the nature around it. 'It's like the blanket has been pulled back and you get to see all the special little nooks and crannies that are part of the landscape,' Shephard said. 'Something that nobody has seen in the last century.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Something that nobody has seen in the last century." For more on this story, watch the story by Jasmine King in the video above. Story continues below advertisement — With files from The Canadian Press
Vancouver Sun
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
All six Canadian venues cancel Christian musician Sean Feucht's shows
U.S. Christian musician Sean Feucht is continuing his Canadian tour in spite of having to find new venues for all six shows. The City of Vaughan, where Feucht was to have finished the first leg of the Let Us Worship: Revive in 25 tour on Sunday afternoon at the Dufferin District Park, confirmed to National Post that it had cancelled the special event permit 'on the basis of health and safety as well as community standards and well-being.' Municipalities and venue management offered similar justification for cancelling Feucht's shows at five other venues in recent days. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. While Feucht describes himself as a musician, missionary, author and activist, his religious and political views — including his stance on abortion, gender, and the LGBT community — have made him a polarizing figure. He's also been closely aligned with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement and is an ardent supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration. WORSHIP FROM THE WHITE HOUSE 😱😱😱 Still cant believe this happened!!! And the sound of praise from this place is circumventing the world! We do this AGAIN at the US Capitol steps on Tuesday, July 22nd at 5pm!! We keep striking the ground! 🔨🔨🔨🔨 #LetUsWorship The cancellation began in Halifax earlier this week, where Feucht was scheduled to play at the York Redoubt National Historic Site until his permit was pulled by Parks Canada, which cited 'heightened public safety concerns.' 'Due to evolving safety and security considerations based on confirmation of planned protests, input from law enforcement, and the security challenges with the configuration of York Redoubt, Parks Canada has reassessed the conditions of the permit and potential impacts to community members, visitors, concert attendees and event organizers,' the agency wrote in statement to National Post. The show did proceed, albeit 70 kilometres northeast from its original site, when a farmer in Shubenacadie opened up his field. A video shared to Feucht's social media channels show farm equipment knocking down tall grass to make space for parking. Canadians are clearing hay for a parking lot tonight.🤣🤠 There is a RESILIENT & HUNGRY CHURCH rising in this nation! #LetUsWorship 'They can cancel our permits across Canada but they cannot steal our joy,' Feucht posted to X along with a video of people dancing to music in the field. 'See you tomorrow PEI and Moncton!' The City of Charlottetown, also citing 'evolving public safety and security concerns,' had already cancelled a Thursday morning scheduled for Confederation Landing. Feucht, however, had already secured a new location at the home of the Faithworks Centre Church , a Christian church in North Wiltshire, just outside the capital. So many say Canada is too far gone. But here's the church of Prince Edward Island on a Thursday morning (after 2 venues cancelled). New Brunswick is tonight! #LetUsWorship A day earlier, the city had initially said there was little it could do 'from a legal standpoint,' but made it clear they stand with the '2SLGBTQ+ community' as it began Pride Fest 2025 celebrations this week. Liberal MP Sean Casey had also called for the show to be cancelled. 'While I fully respect the right to freedom of expression, I do not believe this event reflects the values of inclusivity and respect that define the City of Charlottetown or the Government of Canada,' he wrote on Facebook. Feucht's Thursday show at Moncton's Riverfront Park was also cancelled the day prior after the city deemed it didn't comply with its facilities' code of conduct and represented a 'potential risks to the safety and security of community members, event attendees, and organizers.' Feucht's social media plea for 'any bold pastors/churches' willing to host the evening concert was answered by Bar None Camp in Taxis River, almost 200 kilometres northwest of Moncton in the middle of the province. Also axed on Wednesday were Feucht's scheduled performances in Quebec City and at the Jacques-Cartier Park North in Gatineau, overseen by the National Capital Commission, who cited 'concerns about public safety and security' in a statement to National Post. Meanwhile, François Moisan, Quebec City's director of public relations, specified in an email to National Post that the contract to perform at ExpoCité on Friday evening was cancelled because 'the presence of a controversial artist was not mentioned when the contract was signed.' Feucht hasn't publicly stated if he will seek out new venues to replace the remaining cancelled concerts, but did issue a statement on social media following the P.E.I. show. 'Here's the hard truth: If I had shown up with purple hair and a dress, claiming to be a woman, the government wouldn't have said a word,' he wrote. 'But to publicly profess deeply held Christian beliefs is to be labelled an extremist — and to have a free worship event classified as a public safety risk.' He went on to explain that his Let Us Worship movement was created in response to COVID-19 policies, which in Canada, 'were among the most oppressive in the world.' 'The pandemic may be over, but the anti-Christian bias remains.' My official Statement on the Let Us Worship Canada Tour 🇨🇦🙏🏽 Here's the hard truth: If I had shown up with purple hair and a dress, claiming to be a woman, the government wouldn't have said a word. But to publicly profess deeply held Christian beliefs is to be labeled an… The second leg of the tour is scheduled to return to Western Canada in late August with consecutive shows in Winnipeg (20th), Saskatoon (21st), Edmonton (22nd), West Kelowna (23rd) and Abbotsford (24th). Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Calgary Herald
4 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
Opinion: As more Albertans explore parks this summer, it's time to protect nature
The Canada Strong Pass grants free admission for all to national parks and historic sites, meaning more people than ever will have the opportunity to explore our greatest shared wonder: the natural world. Our connection to the cherished landscapes, mountains, waters and wildlife defines Alberta and our culture, and cannot be overstated. Article content Increased access is worth celebrating. Getting into nature is a fundamental part of people's health, as well as the health of society at large. When people connect with nature, they're also more likely to care for it. That's why this summer is a hopeful one — it's a chance to grow a new generation of nature advocates. Article content Article content Article content For Albertans, this conversation hits particularly close to home. The Rocky Mountains are more than a destination; they're part of our identity. From the towering peaks of Banff to the pristine wilderness of Jasper, these landscapes shape how we see ourselves and our place in the world. The same is true across Canada, where our national parks preserve the very essence of what makes this country extraordinary: vast boreal forests, rugged coastlines, Arctic tundra and prairie grasslands that stretch to the horizon. Article content Article content The Canada Strong Pass encourages more people to discover these treasures. This is fundamentally positive. Connection to nature is essential for our collective well-being and environmental consciousness. When visitors experience the majesty of a sunrise over Lake Louise or make memories in the mountains with friends or family, they become stakeholders in conservation. These experiences forge the emotional bonds that sustain long-term environmental protection. Yet, increased visitation also brings challenges. Popular trails suffer from erosion, wildlife becomes stressed by human presence and fragile ecosystems face increased pressure. The problem isn't that too many people love our parks; it's that we need to invest more in managing that love responsibly. We need increased resources to manage existing parks, and we need more parks for both people and nature. Article content The federal government must match the Canada Strong Pass with strong parks management and education — empowering visitors to minimize their effects — to balance recreation with protecting nature. Parks Canada is doing heroic work with what they've got, but they're stretched thin. Article content Record numbers of visitors are flocking to Canada's 37 national parks and 11 national reserves each year. Since 2010, visitor numbers have exceeded 12 million, and in 2024 reached 15 million, according to Parks Canada. Trends are similar in Alberta. This puts pressure on existing parks and the species that live there. We need to ensure we put adequate resources into managing existing parks and create more protected areas and parks to make enough wild space for both people and wildlife to thrive.
