We wrote the BC Environment Ministry asking for the methodology and data behind the BC Parks Daypass System, and the scientific rationale and definitions behind their ongoing employment of the term "carrying capacity" which has been used as the basis for backcountry recreation management decisions including caps and limits. We were assured that the information would be forthcoming from staff. Weeks later, after no further communication, we subsequently Emailed a friendly reminder asking for a progress report, which went unanswered. This week, we emailed yet again seeking an update with the addition of a deadline (see below) - silence once again. 

A simple "we are busy right now and need another month" would have been fully satisfactory to me. I can also accept an answer I don't agree with if it is based on data and sound reasoning. That being said, I cannot and will not accept avoidance and secrecy which for me feels disingenuous and dishonest. It is my opinion, that BC Parks as an agency has for many years suffered from and continues to suffer from a serious lack of accountability and transparency that is institutional, cultural and systemic. It must change.

I for one will not be joining the choir of outdoor organizations calling for increased funding for BC Parks until the fundamentals of public accountability, and a respect of their foundational mandate and philosophy is achieved.

As someone who prefers to advocate and work in the sunlight, I take umbrage with those institutions and individuals who elect to work and make decisions in the shadows. I feel compelled to smoke and stampede them out into the light. And so instead of a call for increased funding, this latest display from the ministry will result in a tsunami of Freedom of Information Requests and a microscope of public and media scrutiny originating from Backcountry BC pertaining to the Day Pass system and their management decisions.

Perhaps one day Government will figure out that being genuine and honest with the public builds trust, and is of far less stress and work in the long run - I haven't yet given up hope. Perhaps we will be the ones to show them a better way forward through our efforts.

Hello xxx,

Three weeks has passed since my original inquiry (and subsequent request for a report of progress which has gone unanswered). There has been no information or clarification forthcoming from the ministry, and an unacceptable lack of transparency and communication on this critical issue.

If I hear nothing from BC Parks by the end of this week, I will be filing a comprehensive series of FOI requests on this topic of broad scope and breadth to obtain a complete and finely detailed picture of the new policy.

Respectfully,

Chris Ludwig