
Fuchsia Dragon | [email protected]
Anonymous notes are being left on vehicles in Jasper telling visitors to leave.
A healthcare worker and a police officer are two of many Jasper residents who have found notes on their vehicles since the pandemic closed the park.
“You are not allowed to be in Jasper so leave. There is no way to put it nicely,” the typed note says.
“The hotel that [sic] renting a multi night room to you should be ashamed.”
The printed note opens with highlighted information from Parks Canada, calling on visitors to stay home and advising that vehicle access by visitors is suspended - for “in case you are ill informed”.
The note-leaver appears to be targeting vehicles without a Jasper resident pass, and said if you are a worker in town “then this is not for you and thank you for what you do” but if “you have decided, against Parks Canada directions and common sense, to visit Jasper at this time then read on.”
“We would be delighted to welcome you back one things have returned to normal,” it says.
“We rely on you and other visitors to make our town successful but please respect our town by leaving and helping us flatten the curve.”
Followed by, in capital letters:
“WHAT DON’T YOU GET ABOUT ‘STAY AT HOME’”.
Sergeant Rick Bidaisee, commander of the Jasper RCMP detachment, said a members who has just transferred here and is in the process of changing their licence plate found a note on their vehicle.
“We don’t want people with good intentions in a situation where all of a sudden there is a conflict,” said Bidaisee.
“We are a welcoming community but also have to abide by orders. Advisories are in place for certain reasons - please be mindful of that.”
Bidaisee said the RCMP is talking to visitors at their vehicles and reminding them that Jasper National Park is currently advising against visitation.
Non-essential travel is not recommended at this time but it is not against the law.
“Some people might be subject to misinterpretation, people might be driving through,” said Bidaisee.
“We check with people and remind them there’s an advisory they shouldn’t for now, but please come back to our wonderful park when it is safe to do so.”