'RNotUsVille
Lots of kerfuffle about how difficult it is for the average British Columbia family to go camping in BC's Parks these days.
The Clarklandian Minister responsible, who has been with us since the GordCo days, told us that the way to deal with this is to increase the supply.
But then she (b/w her stenographer) told us that this could prove to be difficult to do as environmentalists would be sure to protest.
Or some such evidence-free based thing.
****
Anyway....
As a result of my writing about this (and a lively discussion in the comment threads attached to the above linked-to posts) an Anon-O-Mouse whispered in my ear that the other half of the capacity problem in BC's Parks just may be the LOSS of campsites under the BC Liberal reign of error.
I asked for evidence to back this claim and they sent me links to the following.
Exhibit A... The situation in 2001 (via the old gov't website, thanks to the Wayback machine):
Exhibit B...The situation today (via the current gov't website):
Now.
Do you see what I see?
Yes, that's right.
According to these numbers, there are actually 3,120 (or 23%) fewer vehicle accessible campsites today than there were back in 2001.
Now, if these are the real numbers, somehow I don't think even the Wizards of Clarklandia and/or Marky Mark's Klout Club can blame that on the 1990's.
.
10 comments:
An in the know comment by an Anon-o-Mouse, and your follow up Ross asking for more info and source and... well the facts and reality reveal just how pathetic Polack and the 'bent Liberal' press spinners tried to explain away their short comings on this latest scandal.
BC Parks have been ignored, neglected, abused and flailed from the get go by the Liberals. Campbell/Clark and Pirate Privateers reduced staffing, out-sourced maintenance with Park Facility Operator contracts and failed epically in introducing an expensive user pay system that managed to both discourage visits and lose way more money than their 'business savvy expertise' could ever imagine.
For the Libs this 'Lib Family First' focus would be considered a success. However for BC families another total fail. It would be interesting to see how much lobbying/ political donations have been made by private sector tourism interests during the defunding of BC Parks.
Devil is in the details.
The window to reserving a spot in the parks has been thrown wide open:
WaybackMachine 2002
Most campsite reservations can be made up to 3 months in advance and no later than 2 days prior to your arrival date (restrictions and policies apply) . 3-month advance bookings can be made each day at the opening of the campground reservation services's business hours: 7:00 a.m. Monday to Friday and 9:00 a.m. Saturday, Sunday, and statutory holidays (Pacific Time). You must refresh your browser to access the daily updated inventory.
https://web.archive.org/web/20020802012308/http://www.discovercamping.ca/
2015:
Effective September 15th, 2011, the Discover Camping Reservation Service will be accepting reservations for group and day use facilities 12 months in advance of the arrival date. Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance provided the dates requested are within the operating season of that park. Reservations are taken on a “first come-first served” basis and may be made online at www.discovercamping.ca or via our Call Centre (a $5 surcharge applies) at 1-800-689-9025, Monday to Friday from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm and Saturday, Sundays and holidays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/reserve/
and all the popular campsites are either reservations required or 100% reservable. There just isn't any campsites where a family can decide to go Friday night for the weekend and have a hope of find a spot. So much for camping.
The reservation system was established to ensure tour operators/R.V. customers had sites each evening. Those of us who live and pay taxes in this province weren't considered.
The number of camp sites as outlined has declined. The forestry camps which used to be available no longer are.
Of course it the fault of that government back in the 1990s. everything is their fault, didn't you get the memo from el gordo and then the photo op queen. There isn't any point in purchasing a R.V. or camping equipment. You can't use it in B.C.
Too bad! It was nice 20 years ago. So many people would leave town on a long weekend that it was nearly fun to cruise around the lower mainland.......now. Take a holiday in Cambodia!
The "liebrals" will blame anything and everything on the political socialists of the 1990's. Its the only way for them to show that the corpratist/capitalist mindset of their "delusion" of a privatized world actually works, in a world of diminishing returns, taxing and charging fees to the point where the average individual isn't able to pay much longer,, while propping up their corporate friends.
We have the great "capitalist" disease at work here. Lower and lower wages and expectations, while power and political favors are bought at the highest levels. All the while the common man seems powerless, but that too is an illusion, as proven throughout history. The common man must rise against tyranny, deceit, propaganda, and ultimately a corrupt political regime of "criminals".
When will the people of this province, indeed this country, ever learn?
I'll be long gone by then!
http://www.revelstokereview.com/breaking_news/189252401.html?mobile=true
The answer of course to the dwindling supply of public parks is the privately run park$$$$$.
One example: Revelstoke Adventure Park
SH:
Does the BC Liberal/Government, "thanks", extend ONLY to moral support for the "important work" the B.C. Lodging and Campgrounds Association does???
Hansard, May, 3, 2016:
Hon. S. Bond: I'm delighted to be joined today in the gallery by Jim Humphrey, who is the president and owner of Beaver Lake Resort in Lake Cowichan and also a member of TIABC, and J.J. Belanger, who is the vice-president of lodging and manager at Crystal Cove Resort in Tofino. They are here on behalf of the B.C. Lodging and Campgrounds Association. They're celebrating a great year last year and an even better one coming up this summer, as they're full to capacity already.
We want to thank them for the important work that they do. I ask all members of the House to make them both welcome here today.
https://www.leg.bc.ca/content/Hansard/40th5th/20160503am-House-Blues.htm
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Not on Facebook so I can't look at all the entries, this wasn't on the posts I could see:
Keep Pemberton Wild - Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/KeepPembertonWild/photos/pb..../352481571614906/?...
Keep Pemberton Wild was formed by concerned residents of Pemberton, BC with ... and not as a parking lot or for camping for the Pemberton Music Festival then ..... outfitter and hunting associationshave donated $83,925 to the BC Liberal ... Their donations were topped-up by $11,550 in donationsfrom guides and lodges ...
$upernatural BC.The best money can buy?Yes that is a dollar sign.
21st century follow the money and the delete.
20th century follow the money.
Thanks BC Libs?.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awY1MRlMKMc
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