Terms of Reference

A people-moving framework for Banff National Park, will:

• integrate the experience and build on the work of key stakeholders, local governments, regional transit providers and Indigenous partners,
• make efficient use of land and other natural resources, while ensuring the preservation of connectivity, vital habitat and other requirements for maintaining biodiversity,
• promote the use of alternative and renewable energy while reducing waste, fossil fuel consumption, emissions and discharges of contaminants to surface and ground water,
• offer diverse mobility options, giving people more choices as to how they meet their access needs including self-propelled or micro transportation as an alternative to cars,
• build upon Parks Canada’s demonstrated commitment to mass transit where appropriate,
• think beyond transportation modes, and look at other demand management strategies,
• be integrated into existing land use management and not result in cumulative effects that would have significant adverse effects on the quality of the visitor experience, visitor safety or park resources,
• be adaptable and scalable,
• provide value for money and identify and recognize public subsidies (hidden or otherwise) and social, economic and environmental costs,
• offer equity of access,
• ensure options consider private sector alternatives,
• consider research and development of innovative alternative technologies that improve access and help protect the environment,
• be coordinated with private sector tourism objectives,
• reflect visitor expectations and demographics, and
• be integrated with broader regional transportation networks.

The geographic focus for the work will be on Banff National Park and the Bow Valley through to Calgary. The Panel is being asked to bring its technical expertise to bear on a people-moving framework for the Banff Bow Valley, with potentially applicability in other contiguous mountain national parks. This includes: developing an outline of the people-moving framework, key indicators and outcomes to be monitored, and an action plan for populating the framework. Work of the panel is anticipated to also include: identifying data and research that may support short or long term goals, outlining a way forward to address data and research gaps in relation to the indicators; pinpointing and exploring options against the principles and park management objectives, and refining these options as required. The work of the panel must be consistent with Parks Canada legislation, policy, management plans and commitment to ecological integrity as the first priority in decision making.

In the context of the national park management objectives, its current state and patterns of visitation, the panel will be asked to consider:

• likely long term changes in demand for travel,
• current research and data on leisure transportation choices in protected areas,
• all land-based interventions, including, roads, trails, parking, mass transit, personal mobility services, walking, cycling, and other self-propelled transport, new transportation developments, reservation systems, network optimization and demand management (including access restrictions and pricing for demand management purposes), and
• alternative combinations of these interventions and their broad timing and scale.

Panel members are responsible for:

• Preparing for and attending scheduled virtual meetings and possibly one on-site orientation meeting in Banff. If unable to attend members are responsible for notifying the chair in advance.
• Contributing to an interim report at the end of 2021 and the final report to Parks Canada.
• Participating in discussion and working toward the objectives of the panel by:
• briefing other members of the panel on current research, trends and information in their field of expertise,
• raising relevant ideas, issues, impacts, and information gaps,
• working to integrate information from other experts into the development of options and recommendations for Parks Canada, and,
• reflecting Indigenous, public and stakeholder input into their recommendations.

The Chair is responsible for:

• Preparing the schedule of work, including the meeting schedule, the schedule of updates with Parks Canada CEO, the list of external bodies the panel would like to consult to the Parks Canada CEO within 1 month of appointment,
• soliciting meeting agenda input, confirming meeting agendas and objectives, and managing the process/discussion used to meet those objectives,
• monitoring discussion, dynamics and progress toward the objectives throughout each meeting,
• seeking process feedback from participants at the end of each meeting,
• synthesizing and summarizing the discussion at the end of each meeting and confirming any action items,
• representing the group in the media and other public venues,
• facilitating the group’s arrival at consensus recommendations,
• providing periodic updates to the President & CEO of Parks Canada on the progress of the panel, and
• providing an interim report to the President & CEO of Parks Canada no later than December 31, 2021 and a final report no later than March 31, 2022.

The PCA Secretariat / Project Senior Advisor is responsible for providing the resources for all necessary administrative, management, research and production support, including, but not limited to:

• timely orientation for the panel member,
• production and provisioning of all required background documentation,
• meeting organization, logistics, and reporting/documentation,
• ensuring various ideas/perspectives are documented and provided to the Chair and panel members in the record of proceedings,
• sourcing additional information and expertise pertinent to the agenda,
• editing, translation and production of both the draft and final reports,
• preparation of all internal/public communication materials, as required; and
• contracting professional services as required. supporting the chair as required.

Timeline

The Panel, with the advice and support of the Secretariat, shall complete its review and provide an interim report with recommendations to the President & CEO no later than December 31, 2021 and a final report no later than March 31, 2022. The Panel shall determine its schedule of planning and deliberation meetings, as well as its schedule for in-person and online public consultations, with this timeline in mind. Public access to information

The Agency shall make public the information received during the course of the review.

Public engagement

The Panel shall determine the consultation plan and the list of interveners with whom it wishes to meet directly, including Indigenous groups and a broad cross-section of interested groups, organizations and individuals during its review in order to gain an understanding of issues and opportunities related to its mandate.

The Panel shall also offer opportunities for online engagement and provide procedures for the receipt of written submissions. The results of any online engagement carried out and any written submissions received shall be made publicly available by Parks Canada.

Expert advice

In addition to information and advice provided through the consultation process, the Panel may retain the services of other experts on certain subjects within its mandate. Any information provided to the Panel by experts will be made publicly available by Parks Canada.