Letters to MLAs

There is currently a lack of winter access to the Rubble Creek trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park due to the “no parking / tow away” signs installed in mid-February 2020. As a result, there are only two winter access points to the Park, namely Elfin Lake / Diamond Head and Singing Pass, both of which have their own access limitations. At a meeting between BC parks and various stakeholders on December 1st, BC Parks informed us that their request for funding to plow this road and parking lot leading to the Garibaldi Lake Trail was denied.

The Mandate Letter for the Minister of Environment specifically calls for "new funding to improve infrastructure, and ensure provincial parks remain affordable for British Columbians (more details here)." As of now, the provincial government is failing to adequately allocate resources to ensure access to recreational opportunities throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor.

If you participate in winter backcountry recreation, this issue is likely to have a significant impact on your ability to recreate within Garibaldi Provincial Park. Additionally, with one area less accessible to the public, all other areas will experience an increase in use, which has a negative environmental impact, and poses a safety risk for all users. 

If you are disappointed by the lack of adequate response from BC parks and the provincial government, we invite you to write an email or letter to your elected representative.

On behalf of the FMCBC, VOC, and all Sea to Sky backcountry users, we thank you for your support!  

Who Should I contact?

• Relevant MLAs
  • Kelly Greene < Mailto:kelly@kellygreene.ca > NDP/Richmond-Steveston, Minister of the Environment Parliamentary Secretary
  • Jordan Sturdy <Mailto:Jordan.Sturdy.MLA@leg.bc.ca > Liberal / West Vancouver-Sea to Sky
  • Sonia Furnstenau <Mailto:Sonia.Furnstenau.MLA@leg.bc.ca > Green/Cowichan Valley
  • David Eby <Mailto:david.eby.mla@leg.bc.ca > NDP / Vancouver-Point Grey
• Ministers
  • Environment: George Heyman <Mailto:ENV.Minister@gov.bc.ca >

• Deputy Ministers
  • Kevin Jardine <Mailto:DM.ENV@gov.bc.ca >
  • Grant Main <Mailto:DeputyMinister.Transportation@gov.bc.ca >

• BC Parks
  • Assistant Deputy Minister: Jim Standen <Mailto:Jim.Standen@gov.bc.ca >
  • South Coast Planning Section Regional Director: Jennie Aikman <Mailto:Jennie.Aikman@gov.bc.ca >
  • Issues Manager: Launa Murai <Mailto:Launa.Murai@gov.bc.ca >

References for other contacts:

BC Parks Board

Ministers

Deputy Ministers

MLAs

What Should I say?

Here are some templates and discussion points that you can use to help structure your letter. The more personalized, the better! Please include any past experiences you have had with restricted access in the area, and any outdoor clubs/ organizations you may be affiliated with.

Possible Talking Points:

• Have you been deterred from recreating in Garibaldi Park due to the lack of plowing on the road?
• Lack of plowing is a safety concern for users- coming back after a trip to find your car towed increases risk of hypothermia and other incidents. Garibaldi Lake has lower avalanche hazard than many other trails in our area.
• Importance of outdoor recreation opportunities during COVID
• Access issues in the Sea to Sky Corridor are becoming more frequent- recreationalists are loosing access to outdoor spaces at an alarming rate.

External Sources to Include:

• Pique Article
• Letter from FMCBC
• Environment Ministry Mandate:

"Recognizing the heightened importance of outdoor recreation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, guide work to create new campgrounds, trails, and protected areas; propose new funding to improve infrastructure; and ensure provincial parks remain affordable for British Columbians."

Template 1

Subject: Garibaldi Provincial Park: Plowing of Rubble Creek Access Road and Parking Lot at Trailhead

TO:  EMAILS OF SELECTED PEOPLE ABOVE

Dear NAMES OF PEOPLE SELECTED,

I am writing about the lack of winter access to the Rubble Creek trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park due to the “no parking / tow away” signs installed in mid-February 2020. 

I would like to see the government push to get Daisy Lake Road to the Garibaldi Lake trailhead ploughed this winter. LAST SPRING/THIS AUTUMN/ on DATE I was discouraged from accessing the park due to the lack of parking and tow away signs. 

In the past, I have used this trailhead to access:

• Taylor Meadows
• Garibaldi Lake
• Black Tusk
• Mount Price
• Panorama Ridge
• Garibaldi Neve traverse
• Sphinx/Burton Hut

I enjoy:

• FORMS OF BACKCOUNTRY RECREATION
• LENGTHS OF TRIPS (day or overnight)

With the growing interest in winter backcountry recreation (snowshoeing, hiking and ski touring) and the huge urban populations in the Lower Mainland and communities in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, BC simply cannot afford to lose access to Rubble Creek.  

I am getting very frustrated and disheartened by the continual loss of non-motorized, backcountry recreation opportunities in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor and am hoping to see the current government implement better access. 

I understand that the cost to plow the access road and some parking is between $12,000-$18,000/year which seems reasonable considering vehicles that park on the Rubble Creek access road are being towed. This is extremely dangerous. If someone comes off the trail cold and fatigued to find their vehicle gone, there is no easy way to get assistance.

Please re-establish winter parking  in Rubble Creek for this winter season.

Best regards,

NAME

TITLES/AFFILIATION

Template 2

Subject: Plowing access road and parking area for Garibaldi Lake

Dear [MLA name] and Hon. George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

I’m concerned about the lack of parking for winter backcountry users along the Sea-to-Sky corridor especially at the Garibaldi Lake trail parking lot near Rubble Creek.

I support the FMCBC’s request to have the access road and parking lot plowed.

Please make this happen!