MP calls for end to American firm's monopoly on Banff-Jasper attractions

An Alberta Conservative MP is calling for Ottawa to end a U.S.-based company’s domination of sightseeing attractions in Banff and Jasper National Parks.

In a Monday Instagram post, Yellowhead MP William Stevenson said that while he backs free enterprise, Colorado-based Pursuit’s ownership of the lion’s share of major tourism attractions in Canada’s two most popular national parks is intolerable.

“I support free enterprise, but there is nothing ‘free market’ about Parks Canada creating rules that effectively pick winners and losers,” said Stevenson, whose riding encompasses both parks.

“It’s time to reverse decisions that allow more than 50 per cent ownership concentration in our national parks.”

Pursuit now operates the Banff Gondola at Sulphur Mountain, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, Columbia Icefield Adventure, Jasper’s Maligne Lake Cruise and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, which comprise the lion’s share of that market of paid attractions.

It also owns the Brewster Express bus line and 10 hotels throughout those parks (two are in Banff), while also operating the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park.

And in the summer of 2024, Parks Canada approved Pursuit’s $25-million purchase of the Jasper Sky Tram, a decision competitors in Banff National Park say further erodes what little competition there is in the region’s sightseeing market.

Critics, including sightseeing rivals, say the company now controls more than 90 per cent of the sector’s market share in the parks.

Earlier this month, think tank Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project called on the Carney government to reduce Pursuit’s dominance in the national parks.

Stevenson said he agrees, saying the Carney government’s Canada Strong Pass encouraging visitation to the parks in an effort to strengthen the country ironically enriches Pursuit.

“The federal government must direct Parks Canada to restore competition, encourage Canadian operators, and protect Canadian ownership within our parks,” he said.

But at the same time, he predicted only a Conservative government would make such a move.

Pursuit a major employer and contributes to community, says CEO

Following a review of the Jasper Sky Tram purchase, the Competition Bureau of Canada concluded earlier this year that the acquisition doesn’t significantly impact competition in the parks.

In a response to criticism, Pursuit’s Banff-Jasper CEO has said it’s a major employer in the region and is dedicated to sustainable activity.

“Over the past decade, we’ve added more than 1,200 jobs in Alberta, reinvested 100 per cent of Canadian profits into local operations and contributed $3.8 million in community support between 2020 and 2025,” Stuart Back, a Banff resident, said earlier this month.

“Our Promise to Place guides us to protect natural environments, respect local heritage and strengthen communities.”

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A vocal critic of Pursuit’s domination said Stevenson’s comments are adding to pressure on the federal government to reassess the competition situation in the parks.

“Understandably, (Prime Minister Mark) Carney was likely hoping that he could avoid the whole issue,” said Adam Waterous, who operates Mt. Norquay.

“The Conservatives now making (former prime minister Justin) Trudeau’s decisions a national issue is going to force Carney to take a stand.”

Carney, he said, has already shown a willingness to break from his predecessor’s stances on a host of issues, particularly those involving the economy.

BKaufmann@postmedia.com

X: @BillKaufmannjrn