New Alberta parks ministry to focus on tourism and opening new campgrounds

By The Canadian Press on November 15, 2022.

EDMONTON – Alberta’s new minister of Forestry, Parks and Tourism says his focus will be on ensuring the province’s parks are more accessible to people.

Todd Loewen has just received his mandate letter from Premier Danielle Smith.

The letter contains a heavy emphasis on developing tourism in the provincial park system.

In it, Smith instructs Loewen to develop campgrounds, recreation and tourism opportunities on provincial lands.

Loewen is expected to speed up the approval of permits and licences, establish a tourism and hospitality immigration stream, and improve tourist infrastructure in high-traffic areas.

She also tells the minister to develop ways to manage provincial forests and grasslands to store carbon.

The two-page letter contains one mention of the need to be environmentally responsible.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 15, 2022.

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