FIRST READING: Non-Indigenous visitors being turned away from B.C. public parks – National Post

May 22, 2025

Province of B.C. has authorized two parks to close to all but Indigenous users

In what critics say is a template of things to come, B.C. has begun closing public parks to non-Indigenous residents citing “cultural concerns.”

This week, the B.C. government announced that Botanical Beach — a popular spot along the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail — would be closed for 24 hours over the May 24 weekend “to provide time, space and privacy for members of the Pacheedaht First Nation to harvest marine resources and reconnect with an important part of their territory.”

This follows on a series of similar closure of Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, one of the busiest recreational spots in the province.

Read More: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/non-indigenous-visitors-being-turned-away-from-b-c-public-parks