Parks Canada put politics before fire safety, emails reveal
Newly released internal emails show Parks Canada executives were more concerned about "public and political perception" than managing wildfire hazards in Jasper, Alberta. The records, obtained through an Access to Information request and shared by Conservative MP Dan Mazier, come just months before wildfires destroyed a third of the town.
As first reported by Blacklock's Wednesday morning, MP Mazier didn’t hold back, calling the revelations "very disturbing." He slammed Justin Trudeau’s environment minister for putting "political gain over environmental gain." And, of course, the Department of Environment conveniently had no comment on the matter.
DOCUMENTS disclosed by @MBDan7 show @ParksCanada was preoccupied with "political perception" of forest management in Jasper five months before wildfire hit the town: "Very disturbing." https://t.co/589njgrxJV #cdnpoli @TheJasperLocal pic.twitter.com/1DMfmPsqMf
— Blacklock's Reporter (@mindingottawa) September 11, 2024
The emails, dated February 21, were sent just months before the devastating July 24 fire that left 358 buildings in ruins. In one exchange, Parks Canada management acknowledged the looming fire threat, discussing a regional plan for a potential widespread fire event. They admitted being unprepared for a multi-incident scenario, emphasizing that any response would rely on support from other regions.
Guilbeault says "years of forest management" paid off in Jasper.
— Sheila Gunn Reid (@SheilaGunnReid) July 29, 2024
30% of the town burned.
His own ministry's 2022 Jasper Park Mgmt Plan says not enough was done to clear pine beetle fuel load out of the park. Feds were warned in 2017 about potential for a catastrophe… pic.twitter.com/j7IrALmW5d
But the most shocking part? Jonah Mitchell, Executive Director of Parks Canada’s Prairie Division, warned against controlled burns—routine measures to prevent wildfires—due to concerns over media coverage. "Public and political perception may become more important than actual prescription windows," Mitchell wrote.
In other words, optics were prioritized over safety.
Rebuilding Jasper: Samaritan's Purse joins forces with Rebel News to aid fire-ravaged community
— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) August 23, 2024
Located in the heart of Jasper National Park is Jasper, a resort town which lost 30% of its historic landscape to a ruinous July wildfire. The damage is extensive, and the road to… pic.twitter.com/2hqz6MteIW
Despite acknowledging the fire risk posed by thousands of hectares of dead pine, Parks Canada delayed crucial controlled burns, leaving Jasper vulnerable. And now, they're refusing to release internal records that could shed light on their mismanagement.
Parks Canada will not disclose details of its forest management prior to a July 24 wildfire that burned down a third of Jasper, reads an agency statement. Managers four years ago warned of “dead trees and the fuel load” at Jasper National Park.
— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) September 7, 2024
READ MORE: https://t.co/11OCi0ILK6 pic.twitter.com/WWbFOtQ0fZ
Parks Canada blocked a similar access request by Rebel News because the agency prioritized wildfire recovery efforts.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.
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