Anyone venturing into Kananaskis Country without buying a mandatory park pass introduced last year may be faced with a fine.
The grace period is over and inspectors say they are now enforcing the rules on the K-Country park pass.
The fine for violations is $150.
In its first year, the Kananaskis Conservation Pass generated $12M with 100% of revenues being reinvested in the region. Revenues from the pass will continue to be reinvested in the region to ensure it can continue to be enjoyed by generations to come. pic.twitter.com/ueotaipNdy
— Alberta Parks (@Albertaparks) June 1, 2022
The province says officers hadn’t previously been enforcing the rules to give people time to get used to them.
The pass was introduced in 2021 to help pay for improvements to the area. The fee is $15 a day per vehicle or $90 for an annual pass.
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The government says it has collected more than $13 million so far.
The UCP has said the funds raised from the pass would be reinvested in the region, but the Opposition NDP alleges the money is going into the general kitty.
Alberta's parks belong Albertans.
With the cost of living skyrocketing, many families will look to affordable summer hiking and camping trips.
The Kananaskis Pass must go. Let's keep our parks accessible. Sign your name here: https://t.co/gWeJPXJAfv #ableg #yyc
— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) June 4, 2022
NDP Leader Rachel Notley says the fee is unfair to lower-income Albertans and their families and promises to scrap it if the NDP wins the 2023 election.
–With files from Joey Chini
