![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.une-sen.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/hotsprings_web.png\" "\\"hotsprings_web\\"")
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With the Conservatives in charge, our country is turning into a giant auction where even our best-kept treasures are being put up for sale. Yes, that\u2019s right; even the Canadian Rockies aren\u2019t safe. Earlier last year, Parks Canada announced its plans to privatize the operations of three of its most iconic attractions: the hot springs in Banff, Jasper and Radium.<\/p>\n
Last week, our members met with the local community in Jasper to find out what they thought of commercializing the hot springs \u2014 a consultation the government failed to do. Under privatization, the union expects an increase in fees or a decrease in the standards of service. That\u2019s what happens when you take a national treasure and reduce it to a giant money-making machine.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe opened up the floor for people to comment and ask questions,\u201d said Marianne Hladun, Regional Executive Vice-President of the PSAC\u2019s Prairie Region. \u201cIt was an opportunity to see if what we were thinking was accurate.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Hladun, the Jasperites\u2019 opinions were absolutely in sync with our own. Many were concerned the hot springs would turn into a playground for the elite, with spa pricing making it harder for working-class Canadians to afford.<\/p>\n
\u201cFifty years ago last August, we celebrated our honeymoon at the Miette hot springs [in Jasper],\u201d said one resident. \u201cThe reason we celebrated there was because it was the most reasonable place we could find after going to university.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe stayed at the cabin with the tent tops\u2026 but unfortunately they had bunk beds,\u201d she added to much laughter from the crowd at the meeting.<\/p>\n
The woman also expressed her concern that the commercialization of the hot springs will prevent future generations from enjoying the hot springs as her family did.<\/p>\n
Recently, her daughter got engaged while walking along the trails surrounding the Miette hot springs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love the hot springs,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s turned out to be a wonderful place for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Help us stop the privatization of our national treasures. It only takes a few seconds to send an email to your MP using the PSAC Prairies website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With the Conservatives in charge, our country is turning into a giant auction where even our best-kept treasures are being put up for sale. Yes, that\u2019s right; even the Canadian Rockies aren\u2019t safe. Earlier last year, Parks Canada announced its plans to privatize the operations of three of its most iconic attractions: the hot springs … <\/p>\n