An Alberta Conservative Member of Parliament is demanding the federal government dismantle the overwhelming market control held by a United States-based company over major sightseeing attractions in Banff and Jasper National Parks.
MP Stevenson Calls for Policy Reversal
In a social media statement posted on Monday, Yellowhead MP William Stevenson declared that the current dominance by Colorado's Pursuit is unacceptable. Stevenson, whose riding includes both world-famous parks, stated he supports free enterprise but criticized the existing framework.
"I support free enterprise, but there is nothing 'free market' about Parks Canada creating rules that effectively pick winners and losers," Stevenson said. He emphasized, "It's time to reverse decisions that allow more than 50 per cent ownership concentration in our national parks."
The Scope of Pursuit's Holdings
The company's portfolio now constitutes the majority of paid visitor experiences in the parks. Pursuit operates the Banff Gondola on Sulphur Mountain, the Lake Minnewanka Cruise, the Columbia Icefield Adventure, the Maligne Lake Cruise in Jasper, and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk.
Beyond attractions, Pursuit owns the Brewster Express bus service and ten hotels within the two parks, including two in Banff. It also manages the historic Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park.
A pivotal move came in the summer of 2024 when Parks Canada approved Pursuit's $25-million acquisition of the Jasper Sky Tram. Competitors argue this purchase further diminishes the already limited competition in the region's sightseeing market. Critics estimate the firm now controls over 90 per cent of the sector's market share.
Political and Public Pressure Mounts
Stevenson's call aligns with recent pressure from the Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project, a think tank that recently urged the Carney government to address Pursuit's dominance. The MP also critiqued the federal government's Canada Strong Pass program, designed to boost park visitation, suggesting it ironically funnels more revenue to the American company.
"The federal government must direct Parks Canada to restore competition, encourage Canadian operators, and protect Canadian ownership within our parks," Stevenson asserted. However, he expressed skepticism, predicting that only a future Conservative government would take such action.
The Competition Bureau of Canada reviewed the Jasper Sky Tram purchase earlier this year and concluded the acquisition did not significantly lessen competition, a finding disputed by local competitors and critics of the concentration.
