Permits allowing guns, ATVs in backcountry are unfair as the public stays barred: Whiteshell cottager
Social Sharing
As all backcountry trails and waterways remain in Manitoba's provincial parks remain closed to the public, some cottagers say it's unfair that outfitters are allowed to hunt in the backcountry with government-approved permits during a provincewide state of emergency.
Barb Robson, who lives in Winnipeg and has a cottage on the south shore of Big Whiteshell Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park, told CBC News on Tuesday that her husband was not allowed to return to the cottage to collect their boat and family heirlooms that have been passed down for generations.
She said it's not fair that some outfitters can go in the backcountry while trails remain closed and some cottagers are still being kept out of the park.
"If you're going to give permits to outfitters, you should give permits to cottage owners and seasonal people who are just going in there, and out to retrieve their stuff," she said.
Environment Minister Mike Moyes, who oversees provincial parks, said backcountry permits are issued to outfitters on a case-by case basis, and can be rescinded if fire conditions change.
He said most of the human-caused fires currently burning across Manitoba were not intentionally set. He said he understands the frustration, but stressed that keeping the public out of certain areas helps to limit further spread and keep firefighting resources where they're needed most.
"We really sympathize with those folks. We recognize just how important some of those places are, as well as some of those belongings. But we have to make sure that safety comes first," Moyes said, asking for patience.
Robson questioned whether allowing outfitters to bring possible fire hazards like guns and all-terrain vehicles in the backcountry during the spring bear hunt is safe.
She said it doesn't make sense to approve these permits at the same time provincial officials are urging people to reconsider non-essential travel in Manitoba to free up hotel rooms for wildfire evacuees.
"They're telling people not to come to Manitoba and yet they're allowing them to go out and do their hunting. That's very frustrating. Where is the fairness in all of this?" she wondered.
"Just take the permits away and then you're not going to have an issue with anyone, including me. Because they can't go to the backcountry and I can't," Robson said.
Outfitters not operating in evacuated areas, association says
The Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association says its members who hold approved permits are not operating in areas that have a mandatory evacuation order in place.
Melanie MacCarthy, president of the association, said the permits issued by the provincial government come with safety restrictions, like ensuring ATV riders have fire extinguishers with them or limiting operations between 7 p.m. and 11 a.m.
MacCarthy said backcountry access is "critical" for outfitters during bear season.
"Bear hunting happens deep in the woods … Without that backcountry access, they essentially can't operate," she said.
"It's a short window for our operators to make a living and they're only doing so when it's deemed safe by conservation and given an approved permit to do so," MacCarthy said.
Robson said it's unfair for the province to approve any permits when members of the public have been barred from the backcountry.
"If you're not going to let us in — point blank, if there's no backcountry travel — take the permits away. Take them away," she said.
On Wednesday at 8 a.m., Robson will be able to return to her cottage on Big Whiteshell Lake, as that area of the provincial park reopens to permanent residents, cottagers and commercial operators, the province said in its Tuesday fire bulletin. Crowduck Lake will also reopen Wednesday morning.
At 4 p.m. on Wednesday, permanent residents, cottagers and commercial operators can head back to Florence Lake, Nora Lake and Ophir Siding.
On Friday, seasonal campers can return to campgrounds at Big Whiteshell Lake.
Backcountry travel rules frustrate some Manitobans
11 hours ago
Duration 1:54
Backcountry travel in Manitoba is only allowed right now with a permit, as a provincewide state of emergency because of wildfires continues. However, some Manitobans aren't happy with those rules.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
Quebec campsites may be closed due to strike over long weekend
Parc de la Chute-Montmorency near Quebec City may be affected by a strike of SEPAQ unionized workers. (Wiki Commons) Negotiations continue between unionized park workers and Quebec provincial park management to avoid a strike over the Fête Nationale long weekend. On Thursday, the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (SEPAQ) asked reservation holders not to cancel their stays, adding it will contact them with any updates. SEPAQ confirmed it has received a fixed-term strike notice from its workers that would go into effect from Friday until Tuesday, should the parties fail to reach an agreement. The strike would affect the following: Quebec national parks Aquarium du Québec Parc de la Chute-Montmorency Gîte du Mont Albert Auberge de montagne des Chic-Chocs Camping des Voltigeurs Centre touristique du Lac-Simon Centre touristique du Lac-Kénogami Wildlife reserves, as well as other SEPAQ parks and the customer relations centre, are not affected by the strike. 'Discussions are ongoing with the union, and SEPAQ is hopeful that a satisfactory agreement for all parties can be reached before a walkout occurs,' the agency said in a news release. 'SEPAQ will continue to make every effort to reach a settlement before this deadline in order to maintain stays and bookings.' The union announced the strike, with disputes mainly centred around wages. Syndicat de la fonction publique et parapublique du Québec (SFPQ) President Christian Daigle pointed out that many workers earn about $17 per hour, and the vast majority of them are seasonal workers. The union says it wants a 17.4 per cent wage increase over five years, the same as all government employees. 'This has a major impact on the people we represent. When you only work four or five months a year, missing five days of work is a serious financial hit,' he said. 'It's not something they do lightly, but people are tired of being taken advantage of and not being offered a fair financial agreement by their employer and, especially, by the Quebec government.' If a strike occurs, the establishments affected will be closed, and bookings will be cancelled and refunded. However, SEPAQ said it will continue to offer the following activities: Seasonal campsites. Fishing stays at the Devlin cabins and Lac à l'Épaule lodge in Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier. Day fishing at Archambault, À l'Épaule, Lapointe, Nouvel and Ruban lakes, as well as at Rivière Sautauriski in Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier. As for certain activities offered by park partners, SEPAQ recommends checking directly with them to find out whether or not their activities will take place in event of a walkout. Bookings can be modified or cancelled here.
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
Visit Ottawa Passes: Here's how you can checkout 5 Ottawa attractions for $100 this summer
A family takes a photo in front of the "Ottawa" sign in the ByWard Market on Victoria Day weekend. (Camille Wilson/CTV News Ottawa) Ottawa Tourism is inviting residents and visitors to checkout museums and other attractions in the capital this summer for just $100. The Visit Ottawa Pass was announced on Friday, a pass for $100 that allows adults to choose five out of 14 top attractions and activities to visit in Ottawa this summer. There is also a special summer package that allows children ages 17 and under to enjoy the same experiences for free with the purchase of an adult pass. 'The Visit Ottawa Pass – a new initiative that builds on the success of previous passes that is designed to enhance the visitor experience and drive tourism growth across the region,' Ottawa Tourism said. The Visit Ottawa Pass will also provide additional savings at select restaurants, attractions and shops across Ottawa. According to the Ottawa Tourism website, the Visit Ottawa Pass is valid for a single admission to five attractions and experiences, is valid for 72 hours after the first use and must be used on three consecutive days within 60 days from the date of purchase. 'There truly is no better time to visit Ottawa than the summer of 2025, with the myriad of free experiences for kids on offer through both passes, making Ottawa more affordable, value-driven, and responsive to the heightened interest in Canadian identity than ever before,' Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism, said in a statement. 'Ottawa's visitor economy is entering a new era of growth and opportunity. With strong leadership, a clear vision, and the support of our members and partners, we're well-positioned to grow our impact by attracting major events and marketing our destination to more potential visitors in 2025.' The Visit Ottawa Pass will complement the Canada Strong Pass, which will offer free access to Ottawa's seven national museums for youth ages 17 and under. Youth ages 18 to 24 can get 50 per cent off admission fees at the seven national museums in Ottawa. Here is the list of participating attractions and tours for the Visit Ottawa Pass. Bytown Museum Canada Agriculture and Food Museum Canada Aviation and Space Museum Canada Science and Technology Museum Canadian Museum of History Canadian Museum of Nature Canadian War Museum National Gallery of Canada Parc Omega Royal Canadian Mint (free tour) The Haunted Walk/Hidden InSite City Tours Water Taxi Eh – Unlimited day use of the water taxi that travels between Ontario and Quebec BeaverTails ByWard Market – Choose from one of three iconic BeaverTails pastry flavours Zack's Diner – receive a free milkshake The Visit Ottawa Pass also unlocks deals and discounts at attractions, restaurants and experiences. Some of the offers include:
CBC
4 hours ago
- CBC
Search for victims resumes after massive rockfall near Bow Lake in Banff National Park
Rescuers in Alberta were set to resume their search for others who might be missing today after a massive rockfall that killed one and injured three in Banff National Park. Parks Canada visitor safety teams will continue working to assess the site with support from Canada Task Force Two (CAN-TF2 Calgary), a national disaster response team, officials said Friday in a release. "A Canada Task Force One … geotechnical engineer will conduct a slope stability assessment. The safety of first responders and park visitors is our top priority," the statement said. The task force team is also conducting infrared flights in the area with help from members of the Calgary Police Service. RCMP are still working to notify next of kin and no further information about the person who was killed is yet available, officials said. The rockfall was reported at about 1:30 p.m. on Thursday when Lake Louise RCMP were notified that "multiple hikers" were caught in a rockfall near Bow Glacier Falls. Parks Canada, the Lake Louise fire department, STARS Air Ambulance, the RCMP and EMS responded to the scene. According to STARS, two helicopters were dispatched — STAR-1 from Calgary and STAR-3 from Edmonton — and transported one patient each to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. The conditions of those taken to hospital have not yet been shared. Bow Lake remains closed to all visitors and a no-fly zone remains in place to ensure public safety and for park operations, officials said. "Alpine Club of Canada guests staying at Bow Hut are safe. Visitors staying at Bow Hut will be able to exit on schedule via the usual route, which is unaffected and safe to travel," the release said. The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N) remains open with possible intermittent, short-term traffic stoppages in the vicinity of the incident. Bow Glacier Falls is located about three kilometres to the southwest of Bow Lake and is accessible via a popular hiking trail.
