Parks Canada is moving forward with Visitor Use Management (VUM) planning in Lake Louise and Minnewanka, two of the most iconic and heavily visited areas in Canada’s national park system. Congestion remains a pressing issue, impacting not only the visitor experience but also the ecological integrity and daily lives of local residents.
At AMPPE, we’ve identified people-moving and congestion management as a top priority for the year ahead. These issues are central to the success of the VUM strategy and to the long-term health of our mountain parks.
Why Effective People-Moving Matters
Did you know that
- 60% of all visitors to Parks Canada’s 48 national parks come to the mountain parks?
- These parks receive less than 20% of project funding, despite generating 50% of Parks Canada’s total revenues?
This funding imbalance puts enormous strain on infrastructure, visitor services, and the communities that support them. Without improved transportation and access solutions, the quality of experience in our parks and the well-being of the people who live and work in them will continue to decline. AMPPE believes that improving access isn’t just about convenience, it’s about sustainability, equity, and protecting the natural heritage we all value.
Our Strategic Objectives
1) Enhancing Federal Government Awareness
We’re working to raise the profile of the unique challenges in mountain parks, including how visitor congestion threatens both the ecological balance and quality of life in surrounding communities.
2) Fostering Collaboration
We are building partnerships across jurisdictions – local, provincial, and federal – to co-develop practical, sustainable transportation solutions that work for both visitors and residents.
3) Influencing Policy Development
AMPPE continues to advocate for multi-modal transportation solutions such as shuttles, intercept parking, and regional transit to be fully integrated into Parks Canada’s Visitor Use Management strategies.