It is at the beginning of a new year when many of us take stock before looking ahead, and with this in mind I hope you will join me in a little journey of discovery. This little journey, of course, has to do with me and also with a story I read.
I live at beautiful Madge Lake in Duck Mountain Provincial Park; a gated community. I say this not in boast but what is becoming more and more clear to me as I get older: a reality. I wake each morning with an unfettered and somewhat glorious view of a pristine lake and huge old growth spruce forest beyond. Through my window and from my deck I get to observe plenty of the wildlife of the boreal forest: moose, deer, coyotes, black bear, wolves, fox as well as countless other wild creatures and fowl of all shapes, sizes and colours; an abundant and awe-aspiring treasure for sure.
So what's the problem?
Not really a problem as much as a growing feeling within me that while I understand that I do not own where I live; that I am merely a custodian of all that I observe, I wonder if we are not all working hard to keep ourselves apart from each other. The provincial park that I live in, although supported by public funds, is out of bounds for those unable to pay the entry fee. I know that political leaders tell us that fees and licenses are necessary to fund the upkeep and maintenance of our park system. Is charging higher and higher levies fair to everyone? Or is it a way to keep undesirables out? A century and a half ago they might be described as 鈥渢he ignorant masses,鈥� 鈥渢he uncouth hoards鈥� or simply 鈥渓ower classes.鈥�
Now on the threshold of Canada's 150th birthday I think we all hope to see a more enlightened and open-minded society but, like a century and a half ago, we see an effort made by Parks Canada to provide all Canadians with free access to the nation's national parks met with a growing outcry and objections from groups representing environmentalists, business interests and homeowners within the national parks. They seem to be concerned with the increased interest will come more garbage and ignorant encounters with wildlife and that the extensive hiking trails, so adored by experienced and knowledgeable hikers and adventurers, will become worn down and abused.
I hope and trust we are mostly better than this. Our provincial and national parks are treasure houses. They contain all the natural wonders that are all Canadians' legacy.
Come and see what we have all inherited from the preserved efforts of our ancestors. Our parks have been bought and paid for by all of us and not in dollars and cents. Teach our children to protect them like my parents and theirs did. If you do a good job, we might be able to save this planet. If not, if you treat it with disregard then our parks will only become museums and only the rich and entitled will pay to come and play.
Oh yes, and when a politician tells us that maybe we can't afford to provide access to our parks for free, the answer is 鈥渙f course we can, whatever the cost.鈥�
Gary Gabel
Madge Lake
