Parks Canada urged to let Canadians vote on which animals to conserve

Some members of Alberta's tourism industry want Parks Canada to create an online poll that would allow Canadians to vote for the wildlife they believe deservemore federal conservation funding.

"Parks Canada is facing a situation of being underfunded. We don't want to see everything deteriorate. We want to preserve the things we truly love," said Corey Saunders, spokesperson for the group People for Parks.

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He said a new online poll could go up every year on the Parks Canada website, which would allow funding for species to changebased on public opinion.

"I think that there are certain animals you'd rather see and certain animals you'd rather avoid."

Saunders said the idea aligns with Parks Canada's efforts to make Canada's national parks more people friendly.

He points to some of the infrastructure brought in over the last few years in Banff and Jasper, such Wi-Fi hotspots, fixed-platform tents and cabins and the hugely popular Glacier Skywalk.

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The following Q & A is an edited version of Corey Saunders' interview with Calgary Eyeopener host David Gray:

DG: "Are there some species that Parks Canada has been focusing on that you think they should they shouldn't be focusing on?"

CS: "Oh there's a whole list.But off the top of my head I would say the Banff Springs snail, the Newfoundland marten and the whooping crane. To be honest with you, the whooping crane is probably a lost cause and any money we spend there is actually just a waste of taxpayers' dollars."

Calgary Eyeopener6:27People for Parks spokesperson Corey Saunders

Should Parks Canada focus their conservation efforts on popular animals only? People for Parks spokesperson Corey Saunders explains the bold, controversial idea.

DG:"Allright, so which animals would you spend the money on?"

CS: "Well, me personally, I'd want the eastern wolf, falcons because they're majestic and beautiful and the black footed ferret."

DG:"You're clearly passionate about this. Have you had a memorable encounter with wildlife in the parks?"

CS: "I remember as a childgoing into the parks with my father.And I remember the first time I saw the moose.I believe right now that Canada's panda is the moose."

April Fools! People for Parks is an organizationfabricated by the crew of theCalgary Eyeopener.Corey Saunders is a fictional characterplayed by Calgary actor andimprov guru, Andrew Phung.

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