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By Justin Goulet/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Hoped To Enhance Visitor Experience

Kananaskis Country Pass generates over $10 million since summer launch

Oct 18, 2021 | 3:27 PM

CALGARY, AB – Since June 1, more than 253,000 Kananaskis Conservation Passes have been issued in Alberta.

The province said Monday that’s helped generate over $10 million in revenue. The pass system was announced earlier this year and came into effect on June 1, 2021.

Albertans wanting to visit Kananaskis Country must purchase and show a vehicle pass to do so. Visitors have to pay $15 a day or pay a $90 annual fee for the entire year to enter the park.

Every dollar raised from the pass is being used to enhance the visitor experience in Kananaskis Country, with revenues going to the maintenance of trails, visitor services, search and rescue operations, waste management and the upkeep of facilities in the region.

Revenues from the pass have also allowed the province to hire 20 additional conservation officers to support public safety.

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Minister of Environment and Parks, Jason Nixon said “investing in our provincial parks and public lands are priorities for Albertans, which is why we introduced the Kananaskis Conservation Pass.”

“We’re already seeing the benefits for the Albertans who enjoy Kananaskis Country and we’ll see many more new projects in the future thanks to the pass.”

Revenue from the Kananaskis Pass builds on the provincial government’s $70 million capital investment into parks and public lands as part of Budget 2021.

Roughly 20 per cent of that capital funding, or about $15 million, is being directed to improvements in Kananaskis Country, including $1 million for planning and design upgrades to the Canmore Nordic Centre and other key initiatives such as modernizing William Watson Lodge and improving the Yamnuska Trail. In total, the province said the capital investments will create over 330 direct jobs.

NEW REPORTING LINE

In addition to the investment in parks and public lands, the province is introducing a new reporting line, 310-LAND. The line consolidates 15 regional and department lines into one number that Albertans can call 24-7 to report parks and public land violations and public safety incidents.

Albertans can also use the number to connect with the department during regular business hours for general land and resource-related questions and information requests.

More on the Kananaskis Conservation Pass is available here, while further details about the new 310-LAND service is available here.

NDP Environment and Parks Critic Marlin Schmidt issued the following statement in response to the UCP government’s update on the Kananaskis Conservation Pass:

“As Albertans struggle to make ends meet as the cost of everything continues to go up, the UCP has imposed a fee on nature while spending billions of dollars on corporate handouts and millions on their failed War Room.

“Just today, the UCP managed to find money for a 10 per cent raise for one of their MLAs while telling Albertans they don’t have enough money to protect our parks.

“The hypocrisy and lack of self-awareness by the UCP government is truly astounding. Before coming to Albertans for more fees, the UCP needs to take a look at their priorities and get their fiscal house in order.”

(With files from rdnewsNOW)