Mr. Speaker, a new study confirms something that every Albertan already knows. Nothing matches the experience of a visit to Alberta's majestic Rocky Mountains. The study entitled “The Economic Impact of Parks Canada” finds that visitors to Alberta's national parks account for more than half of the entire contribution that our world-class parks system makes to Canada's economy.
My riding of Wild Rose is home to Banff National Park, Canada's first and greatest national park. People from around the globe flock to this special place where tourists enjoy some of the world's most pristine wilderness combined with incredible visitor experiences.
This past weekend I was honoured to represent our government at the WinterStart Festival in Lake Louise, featuring men's World Cup skiing, with the women's races to follow this coming weekend.
The slopes at Lake Louise are in superb condition and we have tons of snow. I look forward to another great ski season in Banff, with visitors from around the world increasing the tourism dollars that our parks contribute to Canada's economy.