Many British Columbians were outraged last week to learn the government passed a bill that will alter the way the province's parks are managed.

Introduced in mid-February by B.C. Environment Minister Mary Polak, Bill 4, also known as the Park Amendment Act, was framed as a way to help make it easier for researchers and film crews to work in the province's parks. Problems arose, however, when opposition parties and environmental advocates delved a little deeper.

They argued that the ambiguity around the term "research" could be interpreted to include industry, not just environmental research. And, in fact, the bill states that the term "research" in the bill includes feasibility studies "of the location, design, construction, use, maintenance, improvement or deactivation, of one or more of the following: a road or highway, a pipeline, a transmission line, a telecommunications project…"

That has residents concerned, particularly when you consider the Liberal's current focus is not on accommodating Hollywood, but rather promoting development.

While columnists and commentators have sounded the alarm on the new bill — and for good reason — residents shouldn't panic yet. As Gwen Barlee, policy director for the Wilderness Committee, pointed out in a Georgia Straight article that ran in February after Polak first proposed the legislation, people fought for decades to protect our parks from development. They're not going to shrug and shut their eyes should industry begin destroy one of our most treasured assets.

Polak refused the opposition's calls for public consultation before the bill became law, but since then the government has reportedly received thousands of letters from concerned residents. A petition has also collected well over 100,000 signatures asking the government to repeal the bill.

It remains to be seen whether the bill will be used by industry to take advantage of oil and natural resources within our parks, but it is still important for residents to speak up if they're concerned about this issue. While the government didn't allow for formal public consultation, it will still have to pay attention if enough residents are voicing concern.

B.C.'s parks are among the province’s most important public spaces. British Columbians — especially residents of the Sea to Sky corridor — value nature and the opportunity to enjoy it, more than many other places in the world.

While development and the economy are important to consider, they're not worth the price of what makes this province (as we formally boast on our license plates) the best place on earth.

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