Budget cutbacks announced by the federal government in Ottawa last week mean visitors to the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve can expect a shorter peak season and fewer staff during shoulder seasons.
“In order to meet our deficit reduction obligations from Budget 2012, Parks Canada is aligning its season, hours of operation and personal service offerings to better reflect patterns of visitation,” wrote Laura Judson, a Parks Canada communications officer, in a Monday email.
The cutbacks are needed to meet a $29.2-million reduction to the Parks Canada budget that was announced in the federal government’s 2012 Economic Action Plan.
Of the 638 Parks Canada jobs that will be eliminated at national parks and historic sites across the country, approximately seven of these position were “reduced” at the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, Judson said. Ten other positions have been affected by shorter seasons of employment.
“The presence of visitor services staff and interpreters in the park will remain at its current level throughout the park’s peak season; however, there will be less presence during the spring and fall shoulder seasons,” she said.
The frequency of management planning reviews will also be changed from five to 10 years and the MacDonald Campground’s operating season will be shortened to between May 1 and Sept. 30.
Judson said people can expect reductions to natural and cultural resource conservation work in the park, although the specifics of these reductions are not yet known.
There have been no changes to law enforcement operations in the park as a result of last week’s announcement, Judson added.
Doug Marshall, president of the Union of National Employees — which represents approximately 3,000 Parks Canada employees — said shorter seasons will inevitably have repercussions in nearby communities.
“When you shorten the season for visitors in our national parks and historic sites, you shorten the tourism season for Main Street in towns across rural Canada,” he said.
Job notices have been issued to 11,957 Public Service Alliance of Canada members in 40 federal departments and agencies since the budget was unveiled in March.