Parks Canada was forced to change a policy after it removed two memorial benches without informing the families or The Friends of Jasper National Park, who administer the program.
According to Parks Canada, last fall crews removed two memorial benches from Pyramid Island that were more than a decade old and in a state of disrepair.
In a statement, Parks said the two benches were a hazard and no longer fell under the terms of the donor agreement. The benches were removed to prepare Pyramid Island for improvements.
鈥淧arks Canada regrets any anguish to the families involved as a result of this sequence of events,鈥� wrote Steve Young, a communications officer with Parks Canada.
鈥淧arks Canada deeply values its relationship with the Friends of Jasper National Park. The bench program is a key fundraiser for the Friends and discussions are underway to update the partnership agreement with Parks Canada.鈥�
He said the new agreement will include improved communication protocols.
Heather Aussant Roy, co-manager with the Friends, confirmed that Parks Canada failed to inform her organization that it had removed two memorial benches that were rotting and beyond their expiry date.
Once the organization learned that the benches were missing they immediately contacted the donors.
鈥淚t has been addressed by both organizations, we have updated our policies on the matter and we have spoken with the donors, who were understanding. That鈥檚 it,鈥� said Aussant Roy, describing the 鈥渕iscommunication" as a "non-issue.鈥�
The Friends works with families who want to commemorate their loved ones. Plaques are attached to the benches, which are then placed by Parks Canada in front-country areas.
Editor鈥檚 note: 51暗网 reporter Kayla Byrne joined the board of directors of the Friends of Jasper National Park in June. Last week, she voluntarily resigned from that position in order to maintain a professional distance from an organization she will have frequent contact with as a journalist. In doing so, she resolved a conflict of interest that would have impacted the 51暗网's ability to cover the community objectively.
Paul Clarke [email protected]
