logo
  • News
    • Community
    • Local Government
    • Sports
    • Alberta Politics
    • Opinion
    • Deke
  • Events
  • Peaks & Valleys
    • Wildlife
    • Hiking and Climbing
    • Biking
    • Fishing
    • Snow Sports
  • Culture
    • Jasper Arts & Culture
    • Local Dining
    • Local Literature
  • Jasper History
  • Support
    • News
      • Community
      • Local Government
      • Sports
      • Alberta Politics
      • Opinion
      • Deke
    • Events
    • Peaks & Valleys
      • Wildlife
      • Hiking and Climbing
      • Biking
      • Fishing
      • Snow Sports
    • Culture
      • Jasper Arts & Culture
      • Local Dining
      • Local Literature
    • Jasper History
    • Support
Why Parks Canada gave green light for variances on large scale apartment complex is nebulous
Alberta Politics, News, Opinion
By Bob Covey
Friday, November 5, 2021
Why Parks Canada gave green light for variances on large scale apartment complex is nebulous

Right now, the face of progress in Jasper is a proposed high-density apartment complex that will push parking issues to the brink and house 144 prospective tenants in units so small that developers need special permission to build them.

The Municipality of Jasper has hired contractors to tie in utility services to Parcel GB on Connaught Drive, where a high density rental apartment complex is planned. // BOB COVEY

The face of opposition to that proposal? Octogenarian Helen Schwarz.

Schwarz spent almost four decades advocating for the Arts in Jasper and she’s a long-time volunteer with the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary but never did she think she’d be on the front lines of a protest to local development.

The thing is, she’s practically all alone. Not in her opposition—she’s got 400 signatures (and counting) showing many Jasperites agree with her arguments—but outside of people signing their name on a piece of paper, she’s been pretty much flying solo.

Update: Ms. Schwarz is adamant that she’s had help distributing the surveys.

To be clear, it’s not development of housing that Schwarz disdains. She knows housing is needed. Rather, she’s frustrated by the way that this particular project has been ushered through—specifically, the granting of consequential variances.

And why shouldn’t she be upset? The way the proposal has come to see the light of day has been nebulous at best.

Here’s what I can glean: Parks Canada had a big parcel (GB, 801 Connaught Drive) for the development of rental units, but after receiving no interest they reduced the asking price. Finally, with the help of some connected locals, a developer came along with an offer to build a high-density complex (i.e. many apartments to charge rent for). Parks Canada, citing the Jasper Community Housing Corporation’s 2017 call for more high-density housing while setting aside the JCHC’s suggestion that such housing should be affordable (i.e. rent-controlled, i.e. subsidized), said it will consider the offer based on feedback from the community. The Planning and Development Advisory Committee, a group purportedly representing residents, looked at the proposal and said yes to the variances, despite saying no to a very similar parking variance request put forward by the JCHC itself a year previous.

From Parks Canada’s website: Note the maximum allowable units are 122. The current development proposal is for 144 units. // SCREENSHOT

Why did PDAC say no to one and not the other? How does Parks Canada justify breaking its own rules for apartments that will be decidedly for-profit? Why, if we need quality housing for low-income residents (and of course we do), can’t we do it in a way that gives better options for an already marginalized population (i.e. entry- level workers, the majority of whom are new comers)? Why is a huge complex on the south entrance of town the path we take?

Answers to these questions will only be forthcoming if enough people are asking for them.

Helen Schwarz fundraising for the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary at the Jasper Farmers Market in 2017. // JASPER LOCAL FILE

But one octogenarian can’t do it all herself. Jasper, please don’t let Helen Schwarz fly solo.


Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Articles You May LIke ›
Railroaders’ eligible residency discussed by council, CN
Community
Railroaders’ eligible residency discussed by council, CN
Bob Covey 
Monday, June 9, 2025
The fate of longterm Canadian National (CN) employees based in Jasper whose reporting terminal is being relocated is being discussed by local official...
this is a test
What to expect when visiting Jasper this summer
News
What to expect when visiting Jasper this summer
Peter Shokeir, Local Journalsim Initiative, Jasper Fitzhugh 
Monday, May 26, 2025
"It's a really incredible time to visit Jasper, to bear witness to a large natural disaster and to see what it means for the ecology of the park and t...
this is a test
300-plus interim housing units en route to Jasper
Alberta Politics
300-plus interim housing units en route to Jasper
Bob Covey 
Monday, February 3, 2025
Jasperites finally have some answers about interim housing. Details about the type, layout and anticipated location of Parks Canada-procured interim h...
this is a test
All I want in 2025 is for my governments to work together
Alberta Politics
All I want in 2025 is for my governments to work together
Bob Covey 
Sunday, January 5, 2025
January 6 meeting will test province and feds' willingness to put Jasper first Christmas was hard this year for Jasperites. Besides losing the homes t...
this is a test
Most Read ›
Railroaders’ eligible residency discussed by council, CN
Community
Railroaders’ eligible residency discussed by council, CN
Bob Covey 
Monday, June 9, 2025
The fate of longterm Canadian National (CN) employees based in Jasper whose reporting terminal is being relocated is being discussed by local official...
this is a test
SunDog wins bid for regional transit service
Business
SunDog wins bid for regional transit service
Peter Shokeir, Local Journalism Initiative, Jasper Fitzhugh 
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Regional service is intended to support wildfire-displaced Jasperites unable to live in the townsite Jasper council voted unanimously on Tuesday (June...
this is a test
RCMP charge Hintonites after seizure of fentanyl
News
RCMP charge Hintonites after seizure of fentanyl
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Two residents of Hinton have been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. In January 2025, acting on informa...
this is a test
What lies beneath: Outhouses, rabies and their adorable, unfortunate connection
Health
What lies beneath: Outhouses, rabies and their adorable, unfortunate connection
Andrea Ziegler 
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Earlier this year, Jasper Local publisher Andrea Ziegler skied into a backcountry cabin with her husband and a group of friends. She was not expecting...
this is a test
Latest ›
Firefighters battling out of control wildfire in Yellowhead Country
News
Firefighters battling out of control wildfire in Yellowhead Country
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
A wildfire 6 km west of Mercoal, Alberta, remains out of control. Alberta Wildfire firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment continue to respond t...
this is a test
Yellowhead Lake fire extinguished
News
Yellowhead Lake fire extinguished
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
A small (0.5 hectare) wildfire near Yellowhead Lake, just outside of Jasper National Park's west border with B.C., has been extinguished. At 7 p.m. on...
this is a test
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Arts & Culture
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 23, 2025
Jasperites encouraged to attend wildfire resilience event A live music event, a rally cry, a celebration of resilience, a reckoning. An artist’s state...
this is a test
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Alberta Politics
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Mark Bradley 
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
For 40 years, the province has put industry ahead of endangered species Is the Alberta government hell-bent on eliminating what remains of the two car...
this is a test

NEXT ARTICLE

The evolving technology of caribou monitoring methods

Peaks & Valleys, Wildlife

Most Read ›
Railroaders’ eligible residency discussed by council, CN
Community
Railroaders’ eligible residency discussed by council, CN
Bob Covey 
Monday, June 9, 2025
The fate of longterm Canadian National (CN) employees based in Jasper whose reporting terminal is being relocated is being discussed by local official...
this is a test
SunDog wins bid for regional transit service
Business
SunDog wins bid for regional transit service
Peter Shokeir, Local Journalism Initiative, Jasper Fitzhugh 
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Regional service is intended to support wildfire-displaced Jasperites unable to live in the townsite Jasper council voted unanimously on Tuesday (June...
this is a test
RCMP charge Hintonites after seizure of fentanyl
News
RCMP charge Hintonites after seizure of fentanyl
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Two residents of Hinton have been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. In January 2025, acting on informa...
this is a test
What lies beneath: Outhouses, rabies and their adorable, unfortunate connection
Health
What lies beneath: Outhouses, rabies and their adorable, unfortunate connection
Andrea Ziegler 
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Earlier this year, Jasper Local publisher Andrea Ziegler skied into a backcountry cabin with her husband and a group of friends. She was not expecting...
this is a test
Latest ›
What lies beneath: Outhouses, rabies and their adorable, unfortunate connection
Health
What lies beneath: Outhouses, rabies and their adorable, unfortunate connection
Andrea Ziegler 
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Earlier this year, Jasper Local publisher Andrea Ziegler skied into a backcountry cabin with her husband and a group of friends. She was not expecting...
this is a test
Introducing 52 North
Featured Builders
Introducing 52 North
Friday, June 6, 2025
How long have you been in business? 52 North was founded one year ago when two well-know local builders joined forces. Ali ___ has xx years of experie...
this is a test
Introducing Fine Point Cedar Homes
Featured Builders
Introducing Fine Point Cedar Homes
Friday, June 6, 2025
How long have you been in business? Doug and Barbara Pocha have been in business as Fine Point Cedar Homes for 25 years. Our parent company and suppli...
this is a test
RCMP charge Hintonites after seizure of fentanyl
News
RCMP charge Hintonites after seizure of fentanyl
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Two residents of Hinton have been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. In January 2025, acting on informa...
this is a test
This site complies with Jasper requirements
Contact us
Privacy Policy
Advertise With Us
About The Jasper Local
Accessibility Policy
Support

Follow Us

Advertise with us

Measurable, targeted, local. Email example@thejasperlocal.com

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store

© Copyright The Jasper Local