PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT (RSA 2000 cP-35)

RSA 2000 cP-35

Alberta — Consolidated Statutes

© Published by Alberta King’s Printer Alberta King’s Printer Suite 700, Park Plaza 10611 - 98 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5K 2P7 Phone: 780-427-4952 E-mail: kings-printer@gov.ab.ca Shop on-line at kings-printer.alberta.ca Province of Alberta Office Consolidation Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000

Chapter P-35 Current as of April 1, 2023 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT

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Note All persons making use of this consolidation are reminded that it has no legislative sanction, that amendments have been embodied for convenience of reference only. The official Statutes and Regulations should be consulted for all purposes of interpreting and applying the law. Amendments Not in Force This consolidation incorporates only those amendments in force on the consolidation date shown on the cover.

It does not include the following amendments: 2026 c12 s16 amends ss1(1) and 2(1); adds ss2.1 and 9.11; amends s10.1; repeals and substitutes s12(2)(f); amends ss12.2 and 13(4); adds s16.1; amends ss17, 18(1), 18.1(1)(b), 19 and 21; adds ss24.1 and 30.1.

Regulations The following is a list of the regulations made under the Provincial Parks Act that are filed as Alberta Regulations under the Regulations Act Alta. Reg.

Amendments Provincial Parks Act Provincial Parks (Dispositions) ...................... 241/77 ............. 12/80, 372/81, 66/82, 226/83, 290/83, 235/85, 282/91, 249/96, 24/2000, 316/2000, 251/2001, 21/2004, 292/2006, 35/2007, 211/2012, 3/2013, 228/2017, 81/2019, 58/2020, 139/2021 Provincial Parks (General) ............................. 102/85 ............. 147/87, 119/91, 237/93, 173/94, 261/96, 71/98, 26/2000, 206/2001, 51/2001, 26/2004, 44/2004, 108/2004, 105/2005, 234/2005, 2/2007, 68/2008, 202/2012, 239/2017, 56/2019, 4/2021, 110/2021, 162/2022 Provincial Parks (Section 7 Declaration) ....... 166/2011 ......... 170/2012, 216/2022, 9/2023

1 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT

Chapter P-35 Table of Contents 1

Interpretation 2 Park administrative officers 3 Purposes of parks 4 Purposes of recreation areas 4.1 General responsibilit ies of the Minister 5 Acquisition of land 5.1 Land under the Minister’s administration 6 Establishment and classificati on of parks and recreation areas 7 Land outside a park or recreation area 8 Grant, renewal, withdrawal, etc., of dispositions 8.1 Existing dispositions a t time of designation, etc. 8 . 2 Activities for which disposit ion or permission required 9 Unauthorized land use 9.1 Land use prohibitions 9 . 2 Protection of natural and cultural resources 1 0 Protection of land 10.1 Removal of natural resources 10.2 Roads, rights of way and undeveloped allowances 1 1 Establishment of places of residence 1 2 Regulations 12.1 Scope of regulations 12.11 Incorporation by reference 12.12 Minister’s directives and codes 12.2 Regulations Act - non-application 12.3 ALSA regional plans 1 3 Ministerial orders 1 4 Control of roads and highways 1 5 Protection of ro ads and highways 1 6 Aircraft 1 7 Powers of conservation officers

RSA 2000

Section 1

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 2 18 S e i z u r e s 18.1 Entry and search without warrant 1 9 Emergencies 2 1 Powers of park administrative officers 2 2 Contravention of dispositio ns, permissions and orders 2 3 False or misleading information 2 4 Penalties 2 5 Limitation of time for prosecution 2 6 Vicarious liability 2 7 Additional fine repr esenting value of financial benefits 2 8 Additional powers of court to make directions 2 9 Variation of order 3 0 Contravention following conviction and order 3 1 Compensation in civil case 3 2 Transitional provisions HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, enacts as follows:

Interpretation 1(1) In this statute, (a) “aircraft” means a device th at is designed to carry one or more persons or objects through the air in powered or powerless flight; (b) “conservation officer” m eans an individual who is a conservation officer by virtue of

Schedule 3.1 to the Government Organization Act; (c) “Crown” means the Crow n in right of Alberta; (d) “disposition” means an instrument by which an estate or interest or any other substantial right in or to Crown land, including access to any land, is or was conveyed by or on behalf of the Crown, with conditions attached, to a person other than the Crown; (e) “highway” means a highway within the meaning of

section 1(1) of the Traffic Safety Act; (f) “land” means (

i) an estate or interest in land, or

RSA 2000

Section 1

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 3 (ii) physical land, including improvements and other attached fixtures and any body of water on or flowing through physical land, depending on the context in which it is used; (g) “Minister” means the Mini ster determined under

section 16 of the Government Organization Act as the Minister responsible for this statute; (h) “motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle within the meaning of

section 1(1) of the Traffic Safety Act; (i) “natural heritage” means natural landscapes and features and the ecosystems, ecological processes and biological diversity and the related cultural attributes that those landscapes and features include; (j) “offence” means an offence against this statute; (k) “pack animal” means a mu le, donkey, llama, alpaca, goat or any other prescribed animal, but does not include a horse; (l) “park” means land designated as a provincial park, as increased or decreased where applicable, under

section 6(1) and includes a provincial park referred to in

section 6(2); (m) “park administrative of ficer” means a person who occupies that office by virtue of

section 2; (n) “permission” means any form of permission, including a permit, licence, approval, authorization, consent or other form of concurrence that is or may be issued or otherwise given pursuant to this Act, but does not include a disposition; (o) “prescribed” means prescrib ed or otherwise provided for by regulations made by the Minister; (p) “recreation area” means la nd designated as a provincial recreation area, as increased or decreased where applicable, under

section 6(1); (q) “vehicle” means a vehicle within the meaning of

section 1(1) or

section 117, as the case may be, of the Traffic Safety Act.

(2) A reference in this Act to “this Act” or to any other statute is to be treated as including a reference to regulations made under it.

RSA 2000

Section 2

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 4

(3) A reference in this Act generally to the performing of any act is to be treated as including a reference to an omission so to act.

(4) The Minister may, for the purposes of this statute or specified provisions of this statute, by regulation define any expression used but not defined in this statute, in which case the expression has the meaning so defined.

(5) Subject to this Act, a reference in this Act to any permission is to be treated as referring to such a permission in writing. RSA 2000 cP-35 s1;RSA 2000 cT-6 s208;2006 c27 s2 Park administrative officers 2(1) The Minister may appoint an individual employed by the Crown in the Minister’s Department as a park administrative officer for the purpose of administering this Act in accordance with this Act.

(2) An individual appointed as a conservation officer under

section 1 of

Schedule 3.1 to the Government Organization Act is a park administrative officer by virtue of that appointment. RSA 2000 cP-35 s2;2006 c27 s3 Purposes of parks 3 Parks are established, and are to be maintained, (

a) for the preservation of A lberta’s natural heritage, (

b) for the conservation and management of flora and fauna, (

c) for the preservation of s pecified areas, landscapes and natural features and objects in them that are of geological, cultural, historical, archeological, anthropological, paleontological, ethnological, ecological or other scientific interest or importance, (

d) to facilitate their use and enjoyment for outdoor recreation, education and the appreciation and experiencing of Alberta’s natural heritage, and (

e) to ensure their lasting protection for the benefit of pres ent and future generations. RSA 2000 cP-35 s3;2006 c27 s3 Purposes of recreation areas 4 Recreation areas are established, and are to be maintained, to facilitate their use and enjoyment for outdoor recreation by present and future generations. RSA 2000 cP-35 s4;2006 c27 s3

RSA 2000

Section 4.1

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 5 General responsibilities of the Minister 4.1 The Minister has the overall responsibility, in accordance with this Act, for (

a) the management, protection, planning and control of parks and recreation areas, and (

b) the establishment and maintenance of programs designed to fulfil the purposes set out in sections 3 and 4 respectively. 2006 c27 s3 Acquisition of land 5(1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may by order authorize the purchase, expropriation or other acquisition of land by the Minister for the purpose of a park or recreation area.

(2) Repealed 2006 c27 s4. RSA 2000 cP-35 s5;2006 c27 s4 Land under the Minister’s administration 5.1 Land purchased, expropriated or otherwise acquired (including land leased to the Crown as represented by the Minister) for the purposes of this Act, or that is in a park or recreation area by virtue of

section 6, is under the administration of the Minister. 2006 c27 s5 Establishment and classification of parks and recreation areas 6(1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may by order (

a) designate land that is owne d by or leased to the Crown as a provincial park or provincial recreation area and declare the name by which it is to be known and, if applicable, the prescribed class into which the park or recreation area falls, and (

b) increase or decrease the area of a provincial park or provincial recreation area.

(2) Provincial parks designated pursuant to any predecessor of this Act continue as designated parks under this Act. RSA 2000 cP-35 s6;2006 c27 s6 Land outside a park or recreation area 7 Where land under the Minister’s administration is not designated as or included in a park or recreation area, the Minister may by regulation

RSA 2000

Section 8

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 6 (

a) declare any provision of th is Act or the regulations to be applicable to that land as if it were or were part of a park or recreation area; (

b) declare that land to be in cluded in any reference made to a park or recreation area that is contained in a provision of any other Act; (

c) prescribe conditions under which any provision referred to in clause (

a) or (

b) applies to that land; (

d) prescribe periods of time during which any provision referred to in clause (

a) or (

b) applies to that land. RSA 2000 cP-35 s7;2006 c27 s7 Grant, renewal, withdrawal, etc., of dispositions 8 Subject to this Act, the Minister may (

a) grant and renew dispositions in a park or recreation area, (

b) amend any such dispositions, (

c) withdraw, cancel and susp end such dispositions, and (

d) reinstate dispositions so withdrawn, cancelled and suspended. 2006 c27 s8 Existing dispositions at time of designation, etc. 8.1 When land in relation to which there is a subsisting disposition under and within the meaning of the Public Lands Act becomes part of a park or recreation area, (

a) then, except as provided for in regulations under

section 12(1)(b), that disposition, if under another Minister’s administration, immediately ceases to be under that Minister’s administration and comes under the Minister’s administration, and (

b) subject to that Act, that disposition remains a dispositio n under that Act until it expires or is terminated, at which time the Minister may grant a new disposition under this Act in substitution for it. 2006 c27 s8 Activities for which disposition or permission required 8.2 A person shall not, in a park or recreation area, engage in an activity (

a) with respect to which the Mi nister is allowed by this Act to issue a disposition, or

RSA 2000

Section 9

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 7 (

b) for which any permission is required by or under this Act, unless that person holds such a disposition or permission, as the case may be, specifically allowing that activity. 2006 c27 s8 Unauthorized land use 9(1) Without limiting the effect of any other provisions of this Act or any other law, a person who occupies land in a park or recreation area and does not hold a disposition or have a permission that allows that person lawfully to do so is a trespasser, and any improvement, structure or work effected by or under the auspices of that person becomes the property of the Crown.

(2) If anything becomes the property of the Crown by virtue of subsection (1), (

a) all the rights of the person referred to in subsection (1) and of all other persons deriving any purported rights through that person to or in the thing are terminated, and (

b) the Minister may order the thing to be removed, demolished, sold or otherwise disposed of on the Crown’s behalf. 2006 c27 s8 Land use prohibitions 9.1(1) A person shall not (

a) construct, reconstruct, maintain or add to an improvement, structure or work on, (

b) do anything that will or might alter or disturb the surfac e of, or (

c) store, cache or otherwise l eave any equipment, supplies or other material on, any land in a park or recreation area, except to the extent that is prescribed or is allowed by a disposition or by a permission of the Minister.

(2) Where a person contravenes subsection (1)(

a) or (c), then, without limiting the effect of any other provisions of this Act or any other law, the real or personal property referred to in that clause becomes the property of the Crown, whereupon

section 9(2)(

a) and (

b) apply with respect to it. 2006 c27 s8

RSA 2000

Section 9.2

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 8 Protection of natural and cultural resources 9.2 A person shall not, without the permission of the Minister or except to the extent prescribed, (

a) collect, destroy, damage, r emove or move any plant life or animal life (including bird, reptile or amphibian eggs), (

b) excavate, remove or move an object of geological, cultural, historical, archeological, anthropological, paleontological, ethnological, ecological or other scientific interest or importance, or (

c) introduce any plant, animal or insect species that has the potential to alter the ecological integrity, in, from or into a park or recreation area, as the case may be. 2006 c27 s8 Protection of land 10(1) A person shall not destroy or damage any land in a park or recreation area. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to work that is (

a) undertaken by or on behalf of the Minister, or (

b) specifically allowed by a disposition or a permission of the Minister. 2006 c27 s8 Removal of natural resources 10.1 A person shall not remove or move timber, soil, sand, rock or other natural materials in or from a park or recreation area unless that activity is specifically allowed as part of work being undertaken under a disposition. 2006 c27 s8 Roads, rights of way and undeveloped allowances 10.2 If a road, including the road’s right of way or undeveloped road allowance, passes through but does not form part of a park or recreation area and is bordered, either continuously or discontinuously, on both sides by land that forms part of a park or recreation area, the Minister may make regulations applying specified provisions of this Act to that road, including that right of way or allowance. 2006 c27 s8 Establishment of places of residence 11(1) No person shall make or attempt to make a place of residence in a park or recreation area other than persons

RSA 2000

Section 12

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 9 (

a) who are employed in the D epartment administered by the Minister and who are engaged in the development, maintenance or supervision of parks or recreation areas, (

b) who have received specific permission from the Minister to do so, or (

c) who are specifically allowe d to do so by a disposition.

(2) If, in the opinion of the Minister, a person is making or attempting to make a place of residence in a park or recreation area, other than when allowed to do so by or under subsection (1), the Minister may by written notice served on that person require that person to cease making or attempting to make a place of residence on that land.

(3) If within 14 days after being served with a notice under subsection (2) a person fails to comply with the notice, the Minister may apply to the Court of King’s Bench for an order directing that person to cease making or attempting to make a place of residence on the land.

(4) A notice served under this

section may be served personally or by registered or certified mail. RSA 2000 cP-35 s11;2006 c27 s9;2009 c53 s148;AR 217/2022 Regulations 12(1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations (

a) respecting dispositions under this Act, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, regulations (

i) respecting any prohibitions and restrictions on their grant and renewal and otherwise respecting the bases on which the Minister may grant, renew, withdraw or reinstate them; (ii) respecting administrative penalties related to such dispositions; (

b) respecting the continua tion, withdrawal, cancellation, renewal and administration of dispositions referred to in

section 8.1 or permits allowing grazing under the Forest Reserves Act.

(2) The Minister may, in respect of parks and recreation areas, make regulations (

a) respecting their management, operation, use, protection and preservation and the administration of this Act;

RSA 2000

Section 12

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 10 (a.1) respecting the establishm ent of reservoirs and the use of water stored in them; (

b) respecting domestic or other animals not defined as wildlife under the Wildlife Act; (

c) respecting the use of firea rms, pellet, dart, arrow or other projectile shooting equipment, explosives, explosive devices and fireworks; (

d) respecting uses of and activities on that land; (

e) respecting commercial, sci entific and research activities that may be carried on; (

f) respecting the use of motor v ehicles, boats, trailers and equipment; (

g) respecting the provision or utilization of services in respect of the public; (

h) respecting buildings and other structures; (

i) respecting the setting, use and extinguishing of fires; (

j) respecting the treatme nt and feeding of wildlife; (

k) respecting the dressing or hanging of big game; (

l) respecting the issuing of permissions allowing special activities to be carried on; (

m) controlling or prohibiting noise, unruly behaviour and nuisances; (

n) respecting the removal, s torage and disposal of items under and referred to in

section 17(2); (

o) respecting tenders or proposals made by persons wishing to carry on commercial activities; (

p) respecting the planning and zoning of land; (

q) respecting temporary prohibitions or restrictions on the possession and consumption of liquor; (

r) respecting public safety, security and the preservation of order; (

s) respecting the management of cottage subdivisions and townsites;

RSA 2000

Section 12.1

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 11 (

t) in order to protect rare or sensitive features, objects or species that are of geological, cultural, historical, archeological, anthropological, paleontological, ethnological, ecological or other scientific interest or importance and that are of such significance as to require special protection, designating any part of a park as a nature preserve and respecting the protection, preservation, control and management of nature preserves for any of those purposes; (

u) respecting the procedures t hat must be adopted following seizures of items under

section 20, including the storage, removal, detention, destruction and disposition of those items and, if applicable, the adoption by reference of procedures under other Acts and setting out the powers and duties of courts in relation to how seized items may or are to be dealt with and other related court processes; (

v) classifying parks and re creation areas and stating the purposes of those classifications; (

w) prescribing any matter or thing that by this statute may o r is to be prescribed. RSA 2000 cP-35 s12;2006 c27 s10;2022 c16 s11 Scope of regulations 12.1 Regulations under

section 12 may be general or particular and may apply in respect of all parks and recreation areas or in respect of either in general, to particular parks or recreation areas or categories of them or to particular parts of identified parks or recreation areas or categories of them. 2006 c27 s11 Incorporation by reference 12.11(1) A regulation under this Act may adopt or incorporate documents that set out standards, directives, practices, codes, guidelines, objectives or other rules of any government, board, agency, association or person, including, without limitation, any standards, directives, practices, codes, guidelines, objectives or other rules set by the Minister under

section 12.12, relating to any matter in respect of which a regulation may be made under this Act.

(2) A standard, directive, practice, code, guideline, objective or other rule may be adopted or incorporated under subsection (1) (

a) in whole or in part and with or without modifications, and (

b) as it reads on a specific date or as amended or replaced from time to time.

RSA 2000

Section 12.12

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 12

(3) When a standard, directive, practice, code, guideline, objective or other rule is adopted or incorporated under subsection (1), the Minister shall publish it on a public website of the Government of Alberta. 2022 c16 s11 Minister’s directives and codes 12.12 The Minister may set standards, directives, practices, codes, guidelines, objectives or other rules relating to any matter in respect of which a regulation may be made under this Act. 2022 c16 s11 Regulations Act - non-application 12.2 An order made under

section 5, 13(1), 16(

b) or (

c) or 17(1) or (6) is exempt from the application of the Regulations Act. 2006 c27 s11 ALSA regional plans 12.3 When the Minister exercises discretion under any of the following provisions, the Minister shall act in accordance with any applicable ALSA regional plan: (

a) section 7(c); (

b) section 8; (

c) section 8.1(b); (d)

section 12(2)(

d) or (p). 2009 cA-26.8 s89 Ministerial orders 13(1) The Minister may by order (

a) close all or any part of a p ark or recreation area for any periods the Minister considers necessary; (a.1) prohibit or restrict acce ss to, travel in or remaining in a park or recreation area, or a part of a park or recreation area, indicated in the order for the period or until the time specified in the order; (

b) establish a framework that provides a basis for zoning the whole or any part of a park or recreation area so as to manage, regulate or confine the various uses of land within the park or recreation area; (b.1) set or provide mechanisms for setting, and otherwise provide for, fees relating to parks and recreation areas, including fees for

RSA 2000

Section 14

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 13 (

i) their use and the u se of facilities in them, (ii) the carrying on of activities there, (iii) dispositions and permissions or applications for them, and (iv) the provision of goods, services and any other things in or relating to them; (

c) authorize the doing of any o ther acts, matters and things relating to the purpose and administration of this Act.

(1.1) In the case of restrictions under subsection (1)(a.1), the Minister shall specify in the order what the restrictions are. (1.2) and

(2) Repealed 2006 c27 s12.

(3) Where the Minister makes an order under subsection (1)(a), the Minister shall endeavour to give notice of the closure and the subsequent reopening by whatever method is considered most appropriate to all who may be affected.

(4) A person shall not, without permission from a conservation officer, enter or remain in an area that has been closed under subsection (1) but not yet reopened. RSA 2000 cP-35 s13;2002 c32 s11;2006 c27 s12 Control of roads and highways 14 A road or highway in a park or recreation area is subject to the direction, management and control of the Minister. RSA 1980 cP-22 s14 Protection of roads and highways 15(1) When a road or highway within a park or recreation area is damaged by a vehicle, the Minister may by action recover the cost of repairing the damage.

(2) When a vehicle is operated on a road or highway within a park or recreation area by or on behalf of a person for commercial purposes, the Minister may require the owner or operator of the vehicle or the person on whose behalf the vehicle is operated to deposit security in a form and an amount set by the Minister. RSA 2000 cP-35 s15;2006 c27 s13 Aircraft 16 A person shall not take off or land an aircraft in a park or recreation area except

RSA 2000

Section 17

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 14 (

a) where allowed to do so by a permission of the Minister and in accordance with any conditions set out in the permission, (

b) on a body of water that i s designated, and in accordance with any conditions established, by order of the Minister for float plane access, (

c) in the case of a hang-glider , parasail or other non-powered aircraft, in a specific location that is designated, and in accordance with any conditions established, by order of the Minister for that purpose, or (

d) in another prescribed location or situation. 2006 c27 s14 Powers of conservation officers 17(1) For the purposes of administering or enforcing this Act, a conservation officer may (

a) enter on and inspect any land, road, highway, structure, improvement or work in a park or recreation area, (

b) order the removal of any unauthorized improvement, structure, work or equipment in a park or recreation area, (

c) order a person to cease or refrain from any activity that the officer considers is, or is potentially, dangerous to human life or health or public safety or detrimental to the environment or property in a park or recreation area or to the use and enjoyment of the park or recreation area by others, (

d) close and evacuate the whole or any part of a park or recreation area on account of any imminent danger or other emergency and subsequently reopen it, (

e) order a person not to enter into or remain in a park or recreation area or an area in it that is considered hazardous or that has been closed, (

f) order the removal from a park or recreation area, or from a particular part of it, of any person who is (

i) making a use of it that is not allowed, (ii) contravening any provision of this Act or of any other Act or any order under another Act, (iii) creating a nuisance or disturbance or committing a trespass or other act deserving of censure, or

RSA 2000

Section 17

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 15 (iv) present at a location that is considered dangerous, and enforce any restriction or prohibition on that person’s right to re-enter the park or recreation area or that part of it, as the case may be, (

g) order a person in motion to stop or slow down, (

h) if a person in motion is operating a vehicle or boat or riding or leading a horse or pack animal, order that person, after the vehicle, boat or animal has stopped or slowed down, to move to a particular place and then stop it, and not to proceed until the end of any period of time necessary to enable the officer to conduct any lawful inquiries, (

i) order a person to inform th e officer of that person’s name and address and of any fact or intention relating to that person’s use of the park or recreation area or any part of it, and to provide proof of that person’s identity, and (

j) order a person engaging in an activity for which a permission is required to produce the required permission.

(2) A conservation officer may remove, store and dispose of, in accordance with this Act, any motor vehicle, aircraft, boat, trailer, equipment or any other thing that the officer believes, on reasonable and probable grounds, to be (

a) lost or abandoned in a park or recreation area, (

b) remaining in a park or rec reation area or at a specific location in it when the item is no longer allowed to be there, or (

c) situated at a location in a park or recreation area where its presence is prohibited.

(3) An order under subsection (1) may be given in writing, orally or, to the extent practicable, by signal.

(4) Conservation officers, without limiting their other powers, have all powers that are required for, that are incidental to or that form part of (

a) the performance of their d uties, whether or not those duties are specifically referred to in this Act, or (

b) any enforcement, investigation, administration or process under or relating to this Act or any directions, requirements, orders or prosecution or other legal proceeding under or relating to this Act.

RSA 2000

Section 18

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 16

(5) If the person to whom an order given by a conservation officer under this Act is directed does not comply with the order, a conservation officer may take any measures reasonably considered to be necessary to carry out the order.

(6) The Minister may by order, subject to any conditions set out in the order, exempt a conservation officer from any provision of this Act. 2006 c27 s14 Seizures 18(1) A conservation officer may seize any motor vehicle, off-highway vehicle, aircraft, boat, trailer or any equipment, appliance or other

article or object that is being used in a park or recreation area in contravention of this Act or the regulations, or in contravention of any other Act or the regulations made under that Act, whether it is found in the possession of the person alleged to have committed the contravention or not.

(2) The conservation officer shall, on seizing any thing under subsection (1), (

a) give a receipt for it to the person, if any, having possession or custody of the thing, and (

b) furnish a judge of the Court of Justice with an affidavit (

i) stating that the conservation officer has reason to believe that an offence has been committed in respect of the thing seized, and (ii) setting out the name of the person, if any, having possession or custody of the thing seized at the time it was seized.

(3) When a thing is seized under the authority of this section, the judge of the Court of Justice may (

a) order the thing seized to be confiscated to the Crown in right of Alberta when the judge of the Court of Justice is satisfied that its owner is unknown and that it has been used in connection with a contravention of this Act or the regulations, (

b) order the thing seized to be confiscated to the Crown in right of Alberta on a conviction for any offence under this Act or the regulations, or (

c) return the thing seized to the person from whom it was seized.

RSA 2000

Section 18.1

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 17

(4) When a judge of the Court of Justice returns something seized after a trial in which a not guilty plea was entered, the judge of the Court of Justice may order the person to whom the thing is returned (

a) to hold the thing as bailee for the Crown during the time limited for appeal, or any extension of it, and (

b) to produce the thing if it is required in an appeal. RSA 2000 cP-35 s18;2008 c32 s25;AR 75/2023 Entry and search without warrant 18.1(1) If distance, urgency, the likelihood of removal or destruction of evidence or other relevant factors do not reasonably allow the obtaining of a warrant, a conservation officer may, without obtaining a warrant, (

a) enter into and search a p lace, building, tent or other structure in a park or recreation area, or (

b) search any aircraft, motor v ehicle, horse, pack animal or other conveyance or a pack or container, (

i) in a park or recreation area, or (ii) located outside of a pa rk or recreation area but believed, on reasonable and probable grounds, to have been involved in an offence in a park or recreation area, if the officer believes on reasonable and probable grounds that there is in or on it any evidence of an offence.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a conservation officer shall not enter into or search a place of residence unless in immediate pursuit of a person who the officer believes, on reasonable and probable grounds, has committed an offence.

(3) A conservation officer may, without a warrant, enter on or pass over any land in the execution of the officer’s duties, and while so engaged is liable only for damage that the officer wilfully causes. 2006 c27 s14;2017 c22 s43 Emergencies 19 If a conservation officer considers that a situation exists in a park or recreation area that is, or is potentially, dangerous to human life or health or public safety or that will be detrimental to the environment or property, an officer may take any emergency measures considered necessary to prevent such danger or detriment or any progression of it. 2006 c27 s14

RSA 2000

Section 21

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 18 20 Repealed 2013 cS-19.3 s3. Powers of park administrative officers 21(1) For the purposes of administering a disposition or permission respecting any activity or situation in a park or recreation area, a park administrative officer may (

a) enter on and inspect any land, road, highway, structure, improvement or work; (

b) order any unauthorized work to be stopped; (

c) order the removal of any unauthorized improvement, structure, work or equipment; (

d) order the repair, alteration, improvement or evacuation of any authorized structure or work considered in need of it; (

e) order a person to cease or refrain from any activity that the officer considers is, or is potentially, dangerous to human life or property; (

f) order a person to repair any damage to the environment or property caused by that person or by anyone for whom that person is responsible; (

g) order the removal from a par k or recreation area, or from a particular part of it, of any person who is (

i) making a use of it that is not allowed, (ii) contravening any provision of this Act, or (iii) committing a trespass; (

h) do anything else that is prescribed.

(2) Where a park administrative officer considers that there is or has been a contravention of a disposition in a park or recreation area, the park administrative officer may (

a) order the disposition holder to comply with the terms and conditions of the disposition and to rectify any contravention of the terms or conditions; (

b) order any activity allowed by a disposition to be stopped, where there is a contravention of any of its terms or conditions, until the contravention is rectified; (

c) order the alteration or removal of any work that is not allowed by a disposition.

RSA 2000

Section 22

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 19

(3) If the person to whom an order given by a park administrative officer under this Act is directed does not comply with the order, a park administrative officer may take any measures reasonably considered to be necessary to carry out the order.

(4) The Minister may by order, subject to any conditions set out in the order, exempt a park administrative officer from any provision of this Act. 2006 c27 s14 Contravention of dispositions, permissions and orders 22 A person shall not contravene (

a) any term or condition of a disposition of land in a park o r recreation area or of a permission, or (

b) an order made pursuant to this Act. 2006 c27 s14 False or misleading information 23 A person shall not wilfully give false or misleading information to any person acting in the exercise or execution of that person’s powers or duties relating to this Act. 2006 c27 s14 Penalties 24(1) A person who contravenes this Act is guilty of an offence and liable (

a) in the case of an individual, to a fine of not more than $100 000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than 12 months, or to both the fine and imprisonment, and (

b) in the case of a corporation, to a fine of not more than $500 000.

(2) Where an offence of a continuing nature continued beyond a single calendar day, the person who committed the offence is additionally liable to the applicable penalty under subsection (1) for each calendar day after the first one on which the offence is held to have continued.

(3) A person is not liable to any additional term of imprisonment solely as a result of the application of subsection (2) or to any term of imprisonment as a result of the application of

section 26. 2006 c27 s14 Limitation of time for prosecution 25 A prosecution for an offence may not be commenced later than 2 years after

RSA 2000

Section 26

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 20 (

a) the date when the act allegedly constituting the offence was committed, or (

b) the date when evidence of the alleged offence first came to the attention of the Minister or a conservation officer, whichever is the later. 2006 c27 s14 Vicarious liability 26(1) In this section, (a) “owner” means the person w ho is the registered owner of the vehicle under the applicable registration system; (b) “registration system” mean s any official system that is maintained for registering a motor vehicle, cycle, aircraft, boat or trailer; (c) “vehicle” means a motor vehi cle, cycle, aircraft, boat or trailer that is subject to a registration system.

(2) Where a vehicle is involved in any act or situation (in this

section referred to as the “activity”) on the part of an individual that either constitutes an offence or would, in the opinion of the court trying the case, have constituted an offence if that individual had been prosecuted for the activity, the owner is guilty of an offence. (3) Subsection (2) does not apply if the owner establishes to the satisfaction of the court, on the balance of probabilities, that the activity was not actually performed by the owner or by any other person who had the owner’s expressed or implied consent to have the use of the vehicle at the time of the activity.

(4) Any one person may not be charged both as the owner and as the individual personally involved in the activity. 2006 c27 s14 Additional fine representing value of financial benefits 27 Where a person is convicted of an offence and the court trying the case is satisfied that as a result of the act constituting the offence financial benefits accrued directly or indirectly to the person, the court may order the person to pay an additional fine in an amount that does not exceed the amount that the court finds to be the value of those benefits. 2006 c27 s14 Additional powers of court to make directions 28(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence, the court may, having regard to the nature of the offence and the circumstances surrounding its commission, make an order against the person

RSA 2000

Section 29

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 21 containing any one or more of the following directions, which may contain any substance or conditions that the court considers appropriate: (

a) to refrain from doing anything that may result in the continuation or a repetition of the offence; (

b) to take action to remedy any harm that resulted, or to avoid any harm or prevent any further harm that may result, from the act that constituted the offence; (

c) to pay money as compensation for the whole or part of the cost of any remedial or preventive action taken by or on behalf of the Minister (whether as a result of a direction under clause (

b) or not) as a result of that act; (

d) to compensate the Crown for any damage to land or other property; (

e) to post a bond or pay money into court for the purpose of ensuring compliance with any direction under this section; (

f) to comply with any other conditions that the court considers appropriate for securing the person’s good conduct and for preventing the person from repeating the offence or committing other offences.

(2) Where the court makes an order under subsection (1) directing a person to pay money, the amount due and any interest payable by law on it constitute a debt due to the Crown and may be recovered as such. 2006 c27 s14 Variation of order 29(1) A court that has made an order under

section 28(1) may, on application to the court by the Crown or by the person to whom the order is directed, require the person to appear before it and, after hearing the person and the Minister of Justice, may vary the order in any of the following ways that the court considers appropriate having regard to a change in the person’s circumstances since the order was made: (

a) by changing any direction contained in it; (

b) by relieving the person, either absolutely or partially or for any period that the court considers appropriate, from compliance with any such direction; (

c) by extending or decreasing the period during which the order is to remain in force.

RSA 2000

Section 30

Chapter P-35 PROVINCIAL PARKS ACT 22

(2) Where an application has been heard by the court under subsection (1), no other application may be made in respect of the same order except with the permission of the court. 2006 c27 s14;2013 c10 s34;2014 c13 s49;2022 c21 s73 Contravention following conviction and order 30 Where a person is convicted of an offence, is made subject to an order under

section 28(1) and subsequently contravenes that order, that person is guilty of an offence against this

section and is liable, with respect to that offence, to an additional penalty not exceeding the maximum penalty to which the person was liable for the original offence. 2006 c27 s14 Compensation in civil case 31 The Crown may, in an action in debt against a person convicted of an offence or an offence committed in a park or recreation area against any other Act, recover any costs incurred by the Crown in carrying out remedial or preventive action relating to the act respecting which the person was convicted. 2006 c27 s14 Transitional provisions 32(1) Regulations in force immediately before the commencement of

section 10(b)(vii) of the Provincial Parks Amendment Act, 2006 that established or otherwise dealt with fees or other charges continue to apply, notwithstanding that enactment, for a period of 2 years after that commencement or until sooner replaced by an order under

section 13(1)(b.1) of this statute, and any sub-delegation to the Minister in those regulations of the authority to set fees is hereby validated.

(2) References in dispositions, permissions, agreements and other documents to fees or other charges specified in regulations referred to in subsection (1) are deemed, after the order referred to in that subsection comes into force, to be to the corresponding fees or other charges under that order.

(3) References in dispositions, permissions, agreements and other documents to the repealed

section 10(

c) of this statute are deemed, with respect to any matter arising after the commencement of this subsection, to refer to

section 10 of the Government Organization Act. 2006 c27 s14

Printed on Recycled Paper *9780779843381*

Document details

Collection	Alberta — Consolidated Statutes
Citation	RSA 2000 cP-35
Type	statute
Volume / chapter	P35
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	c436c045c1e76559671dccb380443f291cfc1f3a

Source file is stored in the law ingest library (pdf).