By Canadian Press

Bighorn Region

‘Symbolic gesture’: Critics say spending on Alberta wilderness area inadequate

Aug 20, 2020 | 12:32 PM

EDMONTON – The Alberta government says it will spend more than $1 million to upgrade facilities in the province’s west-central backcountry that has experienced a huge increase in usage.

Critics say the money is inadequate to cope with tens of thousands of random campers in the Bighorn region every weekend, who often leave garbage, damaged sites and human waste behind.

The Bighorn region’s almost 5,000 square kilometres hold lakes, mountains, streams and forests and stretch from the community of Nordegg to the Jasper-Banff Highway

Late Wednesday, Environment Minister Jason Nixon announced spending for outhouses, trail improvements and safety measures.

Marlin Schmidt, parks critic for the Opposition New Democrats, welcomes the announcement, but calls it a symbolic gesture in comparison to what’s required.

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Schmidt notes the previous NDP government had proposed a provincial park for the area that included $40 million in infrastructure improvements.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 20, 2020.

The Canadian Press