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A critical area of land in Alberta is undergoing long-term planning that could have generational impacts across the Canadian Rockies.
The Alberta government is seeking feedback on a sub-regional plan for roughly 7,000 square kilometres of Ghost-Kananaskis.
The area has millions of visitors each year. It’s also a vital wildlife habitat, crucial water source for southern Alberta and key piece in the province’s ambitious tourism plans to become a $25 billion annual industry by 2035.
Adam Linnard, the manager of landscape protection for Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, said the process should consider long-term cumulative impacts.
He said Ghost-Kananaskis’s proximity to national and provincial parks mean informed decisions are essential.
“If Paris let the Eiffel Tower collapse, people might think twice about visiting France. Banff is Alberta’s Eiffel Tower. It’s our iconic global draw,” he said. “We support our tourism industry as a whole when we support Banff and when we support our parks and protected areas across the province.”
The area of Ghost-Kananaskis being reviewed by the Alberta government for a sub-regional plan. (Courtesy Government of Alberta)Kananaskis, Ghost draw millions of visitors
Kananaskis Country was created in 1978 under former premier Peter Lougheed. The 4,000-square-kilometre area established a vast protected region for outdoor recreation and minimal resource extraction.
The Ghost region has similar protections to Kananaskis and has seen increased visitation in recent years.
During the March 18 standing committee on resource stewardship at the legislature, Environment and Protected Areas Minister Grant Hunter said completing new sub-regional plans is a priority by the end of 2026.
He said the Ghost-Kananaskis plan will give “direction to land users in that key portion of the eastern slopes” and is about “gathering information on what people value about this area and what outcomes they would like to see.”
The view from Raspberry Ridge fire lookout in Kananaskis Country’s Cataract Creek Snow Vehicle Public Land Use Zone. (Greg Colgan/CBC)Implementation the priority
NDP Banff-Kananaskis MLA and shadow minister for environment and protected areas Sarah Elmeligi said resources to put plans in place will ultimately determine the success of the study.
Elmeligi is a former planner with Alberta Parks in the Kananaskis region. She noted the Ghost region has had multiple consultations in the last two decades — including one she did as a planner — but hasn’t seen changes.
Elmeligi said she’s concerned about a rush job and not getting proper attention.
“It’s actually quite complicated and we need to make sure public consultation and First Nations engagement is done thoroughly.”
LISTEN | Alpine lakes in Kananaskis Country are changing:
Radio Active6:14Alpine lakes in Kananaskis Country are changing
Researchers from the University of Alberta tested several mountain lakes in Kananaskis to find out how climate change is affecting them. Rolf Vinebrooke is the prinipal investigator of the study. He’s a professor of fresh water ecology at the University of Alberta.Visitation increasing in Ghost-Kananaskis
A surge of visitation since the COVID-19 pandemic has more than five million visitors in Kananaskis and area each year.
That’s led to stress on the landscape and existing recreation, with more people frequenting the region than was originally planned, according to Trevor Julian, executive director of Friends of Kananaskis Country.
Julian said visitation will likely increase and “there’s a great need” to have a plan to help deal with the growing demand and to “promote the sustainability of Kananaskis Country.”
He said balancing visitation, recreation use and preserving and maintaining Ghost-Kananaskis will be important.
“This area is one of the most pristine beautiful environments in the country.… We want it to be there not only for people for generations, but to preserve the wildlife and to ensure it continues to be a place for people to enjoy.”
First phase of consultation
The first phase of public consultation is open to June 5. The second phase will start later this year.
Linnard said recent decisions to change provincial park boundaries for development are a concern and took place without engagement.
He added any consultation for Ghost-Kananaskis should be a “thoughtful process.”
“We’re seeing changes to our park boundaries. These are things that weren’t supposed to be easy to change,” he said. “These are things people understood to be firm and non-negotiable and we see now how negotiable, flexible and accommodating they might be in the right circumstances.”
WATCH | Concerned citizens set up a blockade in an attempt to stop logging in Kananaskis:
Concerned citizens set up a blockade in an attempt to stop logging in Kananaskis
Defenders of the Eastern Slopes set up a blockade about 140 kilometres southwest of Calgary to protest a project they say could threaten at-risk trout population.