Beating the oil patch bust at Banff National Park

Once known for its stunning mountain scenery and wide open plains, in recent decades the Province of Alberta has become synonymous with the ebb and flow of a resource-based economy built around the Athabasca tar sands. Despite the best efforts (and lots of public funds) of both the Alberta and Canadian governments to scrub the tar sands' negative image, the industry has seriously eroded Canada's credentials as a country committed to environmental protection.

From this perspective the collapse in oil prices over the past year may yet prove to be a blessing in disguise for the province - and the country. At a concrete level, the boom-bust cycle of the extractive sector is making the steady-as-she-goes business model of Banff National Park look all the more attractive.

Banff is one seven parks in Alberta which together constitute the Canadian Rocky Mountains Parks world heritage site. Established in 1885, it is Canada's first national park and the third world-wide. By emphasizing sustainably-paced development that balances conservation with measured infrastructure enhancements, Banff National Park has retained its reputation for providing visitors with a memorable outdoors experience while introducing new or enhanced attractions (e.g. the installation of a via ferrata on Mount Norquay) in a measured way that continues to build visitor numbers.

Banff townsite (credit: Borbrav)

As noted by Toronto's Globe and Mail newspaper this week, almost four million visitors are expected in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, up 7.5 percent over the percent and up a further 10 percent over the year before. While the focus on increasing visitor numbers has provoked concern from some quarters in the environmentalist community, the approach being adopted nonetheless demonstrates a sensitivity to the various interests at stake, including protection of the natural environment. Authorities responsible for certain other world heritage sites would do well to take notice.

Suppressed report to UNESCO on management of Rideau Canal finally released

Tight control over messaging and underwhelming support for United Nations institutions are two well-known characteristics of Canada's former Conservative government. It therefore comes as no surprise that a 2013 report to UNESCO on the management of the Rideau Canal, a world heritage site and prominent attraction in Ottawa, was suppressed.

Skating on the Rideau Canal near in Ottawa

No longer. Thanks to the efforts of the Friends of the Rideau advocacy group and the Ottawa Citizen newspaper, the report has now been released publicly.

However, anyone expecting embarrassing revelations will be disappointed. As noted by the Ottawa Citizen While the report points to a number of weaknesses in the management of the heritage site, including an education and awareness program that falls short of expectations and "below optimum" staffing levels, the picture painted is largely one of competence.

Rideau Canal pathway in the Fall

Meanwhile, the Friends of the Rideau disputes several statements made by Parks Canada (the government agency responsible for the management of the Rideau Canal and author of the report). However, whether any follow up to the report will be undertaken by UNESCO following the release of the report remains to be seen.

Canadian world heritage sites rendered in postage stamp form

Canada Post follows a well-worn tradition in Hollywood by recycling and repackaging past successes. In this case, a stamp series featuring five world heritage sites, previously issued in 2014, will be reprised next month in a new (and lower) denomination.

According to Linn's Stamp News & Insights, Heritage sites featured include Nova Scotia’s Old Town Lunenburg and Landscape of Grand Pre, Alberta’s Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Ontario’s Rideau Canal and S’Gang Gwaay on Anthony Island off the coast of British Columbia.

With Thailand having issued its own world heritage site stamp series in October, I wonder which country will be next to showcase its cultural and natural heritage in philatelic fashion?