OTTAWA - On the eve of the proclamation of the National Parks Act, the National President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, Nycole Turmel, has written to the Minister of Canadian Heritage encouraging her to show respect for the Park Wardens in Canada’s National Parks by not appealing the recent health and safety decision on the issue of protective equipment.

Based on comments made by the Minister, Sheila Copps, in the House of Commons on the subject of law enforcement, Turmel says it appears she is not fully aware of the consequences of the decision of the Labour Programs Branch of Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC).

"The order of February 1, 2001, requires you as Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency to ensure that measures are taken immediately to protect the health and safety of Park Wardens at the Parks Canada Agency," she wrote in her February 15^th letter. "The directives from HRDC carry a further requirement for you as Minister to continue to ensure the safety of the Canadian public visiting the National Parks of Canada as well as all employees of the Agency," she continued.

"It is very ironic that this new National Parks Act increases the penalties for illegal poaching at a time when the workers are having their hands tied with respect to enforcing the laws," says Ed Cashman, national president of the PSAC’s National Component. "With the reopening of the National Parks of Canada only a short time away and with visitor numbers peaking during the long weekend in May, the public will be at a greater risk," Cashman added.

"In addition, with the new penalties of increased fines and prison terms, there is more reason for the illegal hunters not to get caught. Our Park Wardens have had guns pointed at them, they have been assaulted and they constantly come across people with criminal records. It’s time for the government to stop denying these workers their right to a healthy and safe work environment and implement this important HRDC decision," says Cashman.

PSAC President Turmel has requested a meeting with Copps to discuss the matter further so that management at Parks Canada has a plan in place to ensure law enforcement in the National Parks. In her letter she also reminded the Minister that provincial police forces and the RCMP are not sufficiently resourced either in staffing levels or funding to carry out these functions and that police officers are not trained or experienced in dealing with resource management and conservation issues. "At present, the law enforcement function at Parks Canada is not being carried out either by Park Wardens or the police. This is another example of the government’s lack of commitment to the protection of wildlife and the environment."

Both Turmel and Cashman say it’s time the Minister stopped delegating her authority beyond the employees of the Parks Canada Agency. "The Agency must maintain within its jurisdiction full and complete control of enforcement responsibilities with our National Parks. However, to perform these enforcement responsibilities, these workers must be provided with the required protective equipment as ordered in the HRDC decision."

The PSAC represents approximately 4,400 Parks Canada Agency workers which includes 450 Park Wardens.

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For information:
Nycole Turmel, PSAC national president (613) 560-4330
Ed Cashman, national president, PSAC National Component (613) 560-4301

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