Parks Canada Transfers Riding Mountain Superintendent Amid Controversy

UPDATE: In a significant shift, Parks Canada has confirmed the transfer of Leanne Cooper, the Riding Mountain National Park superintendent linked to the controversial Clear Lake boat ban, effective September 11. This immediate change follows widespread community dissatisfaction regarding management decisions that left many local stakeholders feeling blindsided.

The announcement comes just months after the sudden imposition of a motorboat ban, implemented just before the Victoria Day long weekend, which was intended to combat the presence of invasive zebra mussels in the lake. Many residents and business owners were left in the dark, leading to significant backlash and calls for transparency. Riding Mountain MP Dan Mazier, who vocally requested Cooper’s replacement during Question Period in late May, characterized the transfer as “a good first step” toward restoring trust within the community.

Cooper, who will now assume a similar position with Parks Canada in the central Northwest Territories, previously indicated that the decision to enforce the motorboat ban was hers alone. At a community meeting in December, she expressed regret over the lack of communication regarding the ban, stating, “I would have liked to have been able to communicate things sooner.”

The incoming superintendent, Tom Sheldon, a former policy manager with Parks Canada, is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the park’s management. In an email to staff, Parks Canada CEO Ron Hallman expressed confidence that Sheldon’s experience would positively influence the park’s future.

Mazier emphasized that while the leadership change is a step in the right direction, substantial work remains to rebuild community trust. “The secrecy has to stop. Transparency has to improve,” he stated, calling for a new management approach that prioritizes open communication with stakeholders.

Local business leaders are hopeful for a renewed relationship with Parks Canada under Sheldon’s leadership. Jason Potter, president of the Wasagaming Chamber of Commerce, expressed optimism, saying, “We’re hoping for a positive and open relationship. It just seems like the last three or four years, it’s gotten especially bad.”

This change comes as the local advocacy group, Fairness for Clear Lake, continues to seek clarity regarding the motorboat ban. Potter noted that while Cooper’s removal was not their initial demand, deteriorating communication led to a breakdown in relations. “When you’re a federal agency, you’re serving the people of Canada, and that’s all we wanted — to have communication and open and transparent dialogue,” he said.

Parks Canada reiterated that staffing decisions are made independently of parliamentary influence, emphasizing their commitment to professionalism. The agency acknowledged community concerns and stated that it has always acted in good faith in its decision-making processes.

As the community awaits the new superintendent’s approach, many are left wondering whether this leadership change will lead to the lifting of the motorboat ban on Clear Lake, a significant point of contention among residents and business owners.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story, as the new leadership takes shape and the community seeks deeper engagement with Parks Canada.