Minister of Forestry, Parks and Tourism Todd Loewen is blasting a decision by the federal Liberals to ban vehicular traffic to Moraine Lake..Starting this year, 2023, personal vehicles will no longer be permitted at Moraine Lake. According to Parks Canada, access to the lake will be by Parks Canada Shuttle, Roam Transit, commercial buses and taxis from June to mid-October, the report said.."Alberta's parks, both provincial and national, are jewels of the province, and Albertans and visitors alike deserve to have full access to enjoy their benefits," Loewen said in a letter to the federal government on Monday.."Park's Canada decision to block personal vehicles at Moraine Lake means fewer visitors to this important part of the province, less time to climb in the area and less access to the back country.".Loewen told the feds that sunrise and sunset hikes or night photography are near "impossible" to achieve under this plan.."Unless people can afford to pay for commercial transport or travel unsafely by foot or bike in the dark," Loewen said..READ MORE: MAKICHUK: Banning vehicles from Moraine Lake nothing less than a punch in the gut.Loewen said in the letter he is an avid outdoorsman and he values Alberta's land and its parks.."When you have a world-renowned destination like Moraine Lake in your backyard, you want to do everything you can to ensure that it can be enjoyed by everyone," Loewen said.."Unlike Parks Canada, our government is committed to ensuring greater access to recreation and tourism opportunities.".Loewen called on federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault and Edmonton MP Randy Boissonnault to reconsider and look at other options to solve their challenges.."Bring the Alberta government to the table to ensure our province remains a world-renowned destination, open to all," Loewen said..Moraine Lake is a glacially fed lake in Banff National Park, 14 kms outside the hamlet of Lake Louise.
