Albertans' Views on Development in National Parks

Calgary, Alberta - In the debate over conservation vs. recreational development in Alberta's four National Parks, Alberta residents heavily endorse protection of wilderness areas, according to a survey released today by the Angus Reid Group. When asked to choose between two alternative roles for National Parks, fully 65 percent indicate that National Parks should be about "conservation and preservation of the natural environment for future generations" compared with 22 percent who maintain that National Parks should be about "promoting tourism and showcasing beautiful scenery, now and in the future". For most Albertans, National Parks appear to be more about seeing protected wilderness and wildlife, learning about the environment, hiking and camping pursuits than about shopping, golfing and skiing.

In fact, the July survey shows that only 6 percent of adults in Alberta believe there is a need to expand ski hill facilities in Banff National Park, compared to 21 percent who feel there is already "too much" ski hill development. Fully two-thirds (66%) believe there is "about the right amount" of ski hill development now.

Finally, the survey demonstrates that in addition to being "interested stakeholders" in the public debate over development in the National Parks, Albertans are equally heavy users of these facilities: six-in-ten (60%) have visited a National Park in the province in the past year, compared with only 3 percent who have never visited a National Park in Alberta.

These are findings gleaned from the Angus Reid Report on Alberta, a quarterly syndicated study of business and politics in the province. The survey topics and questions are commissioned and designed by the Angus Reid Group, Inc., with subscriptions to the report sold to a variety of clients in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.

This survey was conducted between July 20th - July 26th, 2000. The poll is based on a randomly selected sample of 802 adult Albertans. The results can be considered accurate within +/- 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult Alberta population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within various sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional age and gender composition reflects the actual Alberta population according to Statistics Canada Census Data.

Detailed analysis of the survey results can be found on the pages that follow.

Conservation vs. Recreation

Respondents to our July survey were presented with the following question, and asked for their general views on this issue:

"Many people have different views on how our National Parks should be used. For example, (PROMPTS ROTATED) some people say that National Parks are about tourism and recreation. The number one priority for the Parks should be showcasing the beautiful scenery in the Parks and promoting tourism activities, now and in the future. Other people say that National Parks are about protection. The number one priority for the Parks should be conservation and preservation of the natural environment for future generations to see and enjoy. Which of these two broad views best represents your own feelings on this issue?"

On this front, two-thirds (65%) of respondents agree that the primary objective of National Parks is the conservation and preservation of natural spaces, while only 22 percent maintain the chief role of National Parks is the promotion of tourism and recreational activities. Another 13 percent of those interviewed believe that there is a place for both of these competing goals in the development of National Parks. (SEE TABLE - 1)

These general views are re-enforced by the priorities that Albertans place on the availability of different activities within National Parks. Albertans place a higher emphasis on the ability to take part in environmental sightseeing and outdoor camping activities in National Parks than on other, more commercial, pursuits. Fully 77 percent of those interviewed say that it is "very important" that National parks offer the ability to "see protected wilderness" and to "learn more about the environment". Other priority activities include seeing wildlife (75%), hiking on trails (68%) and camping outdoors (67%).

Well back of these interests is skiing - just over one-third (35%) of those interviewed feel it is "very important" that National Parks offer cross-country skiing, while slightly fewer (32%) believe that downhill skiing is an important activity that should be available at National Parks. Other park pastimes of lower relative importance include: staying in a cabin (29%), staying in a hotel (25%), golfing (15%) and shopping at a gift store (10%). (SEE TABLE - 2)

Ski Hill Development in Banff National Park

Only 6 percent of adult Albertans believe that there is a need to expand downhill skiing facilities in Banff National Park, that is, that there is "too little" ski hill development right now. By comparison, 21 percent place themselves on the other side of the spectrum, arguing that there is "too much" ski hill development in the Park, and the lion's share (66%) of the province feels there is "about the right amount" right now. Another 7 percent of those surveyed are not sure about their feelings on this issue. (SEE TABLE - 3)

Albertans' Patronage of National Parks in the Province

Albertans are clearly "interested stakeholders" in the debate over development in National Parks, as they are regular users of these facilities. Only 3 percent of those interviewed this July report that they have never visited one of the five National Parks in Alberta (Wood Buffalo, Jasper, Banff, Elk Island or Waterton). Meanwhile, over one-half of Albertans have visited one of these facilities within the past year (23 percent past month, 37 percent within past 2 to 12 months), and another 13 percent visited a National Park in the province between 1 and 2 years ago. One-quarter of those interviewed report that they have visited a National Park in Alberta before, but not within the past 2 years. (SEE TABLE - 4)

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Tim Olafson
Senior Vice President
Angus Reid Group
Calgary - (403) 237-0066
Edmonton (780) 944-9164

Marc Henry
Vice President
Angus Reid Group
Calgary - (403) 237-0066
Edmonton - (780) 944-9164