Parks Canada urged to let Canadians vote on which animals to conserve
Tourism industry group, People for Parks, says Canadians could voice opinion through online poll
Some members of Alberta's tourism industry want Parks Canada to create an online poll that would allow Canadians to vote for the wildlife they believe deserve more federal conservation funding.
"Parks Canada is facing a situation of being underfunded. We don't want to see everything deteriorate. We want to preserve the things we truly love," said Corey Saunders, spokesperson for the group — People for Parks.
He said a new online poll could go up every year on the Parks Canada website, which would allow funding for species to change based on public opinion.
"I think that there are certain animals you'd rather see and certain animals you'd rather avoid."
Saunders said the idea aligns with Parks Canada's efforts to make Canada's national parks more people friendly.
He points to some of the infrastructure brought in over the last few years in Banff and Jasper, such Wi-Fi hotspots, fixed-platform tents and cabins and the hugely popular Glacier Skywalk.
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The following Q & A is an edited version of Corey Saunders' interview with Calgary Eyeopener host David Gray:
DG: "Are there some species that Parks Canada has been focusing on that you think they should they shouldn't be focusing on?"
CS: "Oh there's a whole list. But off the top of my head I would say the Banff Springs snail, the Newfoundland marten and the whooping crane. To be honest with you, the whooping crane is probably a lost cause and any money we spend there is actually just a waste of taxpayers' dollars."
DG: "All right, so which animals would you spend the money on?"
CS: "Well, me personally, I'd want the eastern wolf, falcons — because they're majestic and beautiful — and the black footed ferret."
DG: "You're clearly passionate about this. Have you had a memorable encounter with wildlife in the parks?"
CS: "I remember as a child going into the parks with my father. And I remember the first time I saw the moose. I believe right now that Canada's panda is the moose."
April Fools! People for Parks is an organization fabricated by the crew of the Calgary Eyeopener. Corey Saunders is a fictional character played by Calgary actor and improv guru, Andrew Phung.
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