RACHEL NOTLEY FIGHTS FOR K-COUNTRY, LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN: ‘DON’T GO BREAKING MY PARKS’

CALGARY - Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley is asking for Calgarians’ support to protect Kananaskis Country from Jason Kenney and the UCP’s plans to close or sell off 184 parks, recreation areas and protected spaces across the province.

“As Albertans, parks are part of our lifeblood,” Notley said. “Jason Kenney and the UCP are selling them right out from under Albertans and we’re going to do everything we can to stop them.”

In Kananaskis Country alone, 51 Provincial Recreation Areas will be closed, sold off for commercial development or proposed for new management schemes. These recreation areas include 1,397 campsites, about 30 per cent of the 4,500 campsites across the province that face potential closure under the UCP’s parks plan, according to analysis by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS).

In addition, the changes will impact two local Natural Areas: The Highwood River Natural Area, which includes islands which are home to Canada geese and great blue heron, and the Wildcat Island Natural Area , a unique spot south of the Ghost Reservoir covered with aspen and balsam polar and sheltered by a canopy of white spruce.

Albertans are encouraged to visit www.dontgobreakingmyparks.ca, sign a petition and if they provide contact information they will be sent a sticker. The more members of a household sign the petition, the more stickers they will receive. Over 10,000 Albertans have already signed.

In addition, they are encouraged to post photos of the sticker to social media with the hashtag #saveourparksAB.