FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2020

Calgary – A new public opinion survey shows the vast majority of Albertans oppose the changes to Alberta parks announced with the 2020 provincial budget.

On March 2, 2020, Alberta Environment and Parks announced the full or partial closure of 20 parks and the removal of 164 parks from the system, resulting in the loss of 39 percent of Alberta’s parks and removal of the protections to conservation values and quality of recreation experience that are provided through a parks designation.

A statistically valid public opinion survey conducted recently shows that almost 7 in 10 Albertans oppose the closure or removal of these parks from the parks system.

The poll was conducted as part of an omnibus survey by the market and social research firm Leger from March 12 to 16, 2020, and included a sample size of 1002 randomly selected respondents from across the province. Quotas and weighting were employed to ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the Alberta population according to census parameters. The poll was conducted using Leger’s online panel, which includes over 450,000 Canadians. For comparative purposes, a probability sample of 1000 Albertans is accurate within ± 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Majority opposition to parks closures and removal of parks from the system was consistent across Alberta, in urban, suburban and rural areas, and across age groups and income levels.

Half of Albertans also oppose the announcement to transfer facilities and management of parks removed from the system to third parties and reduce government services, such as the closure of two popular visitor centres in Kananaskis and ending cross-country ski grooming and track setting in three areas in Kananaskis.

While the poll shows strong opposition, it is important that Albertans let their MLAs know that they and the majority of Albertans do not support these changes. Write your MLA by using this tool bit.ly/DefendABParks or give them a call to let them know that you love Alberta parks.

See the full survey results here: https://cpaws-southernalberta.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CPAWS-OMNI.pdf

See our Media Statement for more information on CPAWS’ concerns with the closure and removal of parks from the park system: https://cpaws-southernalberta.org/media-statement-albertas-parks-closures-and-privatization/

Media contacts:

Katie Morrison, Conservation Director, CPAWS Southern Alberta kmorrison@cpaws.org

Tara Russell, Program Director, CPAWS Northern Alberta trussell@cpaws.org