Provincial Park Privatization

[Red Bullets]

Hmmm? I myself have not educated myself enough regarding the whole park closure and privatization fiasco. Not trying to open a can of worms or create controversy. Just pondering....

There was a recent Zoom meeting that supposedly included Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks, and the Safari Club, Red Deer chapter.

It was said that Jason Nixon was encouraging the Safari Club to bid on some of the parks coming up for privatization. I wonder if having such entities bidding on our parks is good or bad?

I wonder if anyone participated in the meeting? Does anyone know of the Safari Club's stance on this?

I see that the Safari Club is a group of outdoors men/women whose mission statement is to encourage conservation and sustainability for future generations. Club members do hunt and fish so they also represent the outdoor culture and community. Or is such a club an 'elite' club? And they are a not for profit club. What happens to the money parks would generate?

If politicians want to privatize the parks why are they staying involved by encouraging certain groups to bid?

[michaelmicallef]

In all honesty the parks in Alberta are pretty poorly maintained to begin with. Pathetic actually so I can’t see it getting worse. With any luck the government has a good look at how the contracts are set up. They need to make sure that some of the money made is put back into the parks for upgrades and maintenance.

[bullgetter]

Remember when the camp grounds were government run and funded? We used to always get a spot by just showing up. There was no booking in advance. There was free fire wood there for the taking. Sunday morning the forestry staff would have activities planned for the kids. Amphitheatre had wildlife shows Saturday night. There was still fish in the lakes and you were even able to catch and eat one so the fish cleaning stations were used.
The good old days are gone and my kids wont get the same experience I did.
Now its a fight to get a stall and someone tries to sell my a bundle of sticks to burn for $25. Yup privatization at its finest!

[jungleboy]

Well they privatized Alberta roads maintenance and tendered it out to international companies and judging from the state of our highways I would call that a fail supreme. Can’t imagine parks run by an international organization would be any better.