SUNSHINE SITE GUIDELINES
Epilogue
We would like to thank all of you who followed our site guidelines approval process, and who took time to submit feedback regarding the future of skiing and snowboarding at Banff Sunshine. Pursuant to the Final Site Guidelines and amendments made to our leasehold area under federal legislation, Parks Canada has now finalized the Sunshine Village Lease, which will be in effect until 2061.
Despite feedback from over 4,000 individuals, the current federal Government chose to disregard the input of invested Canadian skiers and snowboarders and industry experts. In addition, our own concerns were not heard. This has drastically changed our vision of the future at Sunshine Village.
Our lease area has shrunk significantly. For context, our Sunshine Welcome Sign is no longer even within the boundary. Conditions on use and lease hold improvements have become more restrictive.
We felt coerced to sign the new lease in the form presented and did so under pressure from various government agencies. As a Canadian, family-run organization, we were surprised by the lack of transparency and intimidating tactics used by Parks Canada Agency, the Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna (who oversees the Canadian National Parks system), and the federal Department of Justice.
There is a way forward for Sunshine Village, though not the one we hoped for.
In the interest of openness and transparency, we have attached correspondence received during the final stages of this process.
We will continue to serve you to the best of our ability under the circumstances.
LETTER FROM DAVE McDONOUGH
Date received: July 09, 2019
LETTER FROM SHEILA LUEY
Date received: July 15, 2019
LETTER FROM DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CANADA
Date received: August 20, 2019
LETTER FROM DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CANADA
Date received: August 27, 2019
LEASE REDUCTIONS
On December 18th, 2018, we at Banff Sunshine Village were sent a package which contained the final Site Guidelines for Sunshine Village Ski Resort created by Parks Canada. The email was sent from Michael Nadler, the acting CEO of Parks Canada. The Parks Canada agency reports to Catherine McKenna, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Included in the documents we received from Parks Canada was the below statement.
“Your decision should be communicated to Acting Superintendent Luey by January 21, 2019. If by that date Parks Canada does not have your written, unconditional confirmation that you are prepared to conclude and execute a new lease with these site guidelines appended, the Agency will understand that to mean you do not wish to enter into the initialed lease with the site guidelines appended and proceed to seek a new operator through a public request for proposals.” - Michael Nadler.
MP BLAKE RICHARDS DISCUSSES PARKS CANADA’S TACTICS.
Published: May 28th, 2019.
CORBELLA: FUTURE OF BANFF SKIING THREATENED IN LIBERAL’S BUDGET BILL AVALANCHE
Calgary Herald
LETTER FROM MICHAEL NADLER
Date received: December 18th, 2018.
SUNSHINE SITE GUIDELINES SIGNED
Date received: December 14th, 2018.
WHAT WE HEARD - PARKS CANADA
Date received: December 14th, 2018.
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Date received: December 2018
LETTER FROM DAVE RILEY TO SHEILA LUEY
Date sent: August 2018.
PC RESPONSE TO LETTER FROM DAVE RILEY
Date received: August 2018
LETTER FROM AFUS TO RALPH SCURFIELD
Date received: January 14th, 2019.
LETTER FROM RALPH SCURFIELD TO SHEILA LUEY
Date sent: January 21st, 2019.