Improved access to parks among election promises; NDP vows to remove Kananaskis Pass

Both the NDP and UCP have pledged funding to improve access to Alberta’s parks, including creating more campsites.

In an announcement Saturday, the NDP promised to scrap the Kananaskis Pass (K-Pass).

“We can’t take these beautiful places for granted, we have to protect them, invest in them, and keep them affordable,” said Joe Ceci, the NDP candidate for Calgary-Buffalo.

Ceci adds his party will make access to parks more affordable regardless of income.

“We will scrap the UCP’s K-Pass, and restore Kananaskis Country to former Premier Lougheed’s vision of a place where all Albertans, regardless of income, can enjoy time with their families in nature,” Ceci said.

The pass was introduced by the UCP in 2021, where visitors were charged to enter Kananaskis Country. The revenue from the pass is used for conservation and upkeep of services.

The NDP says they’d maintain funding.

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“We are committed to increasing operational funding for Alberta parks and sort of making up that money from the Kananaskis Pass with public dollars, which is how it’s been done for decades until the last three years,” said Sarah Elmeligi, the NDP candidate for Banff-Kananaskis.

The party is also promising – if elected – to invest $250 million into new campsites, trails, and recreational facilities in the province’s parks.

The UCP’s platform has a similar plan, with $211 million proposed.

On the NDP’s agenda is also promoting collaboration on Indigenous-led projects, and ramping up conservation in the province.