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August 25, 2005

The folks at Carleton Project are not a bunch of "Rich Americans" trying to steal the park out from the nose of hard-working New Brunswickers any more than Frenchmen are out to exploit the resources in the park and erect permanent campsites everywhere so that poaching will be easier. I have heard both views stated publicly. We also do not like to believe that politicians' involvement at this time is  politically motivated given the upcoming election...................even though we were told only a month ago that an election was not going to happen. Whatever your views......and we are clearly in the middle......there are some facts out there. Our corporation has been there a long time and I have been regularly going to the park for over thirty-five years. I'm well qualified to comment....and its a real mess. I'll vent in this forum and encourage others to do the same.

Before the current Government of New Brunswick (Premier Lord and the Conservatives) came to power, Carleton Project was able to lease the Bathurst Camps in a timely fashion and plan summer activities that included many students from New Brunswick. We often spent between 6-8 weeks at the camps and then allowed others to use it.....at our expense. Since the Lord government came to power, our yearly leases have not been timely. As a result, we have had to suspend all activities with Canadian schools. Additionally, the management of the park has been transferred to St. Quentin from Plaster Rock. The park has had a steady slide downhill: buildings have been destroyed, trails have disappeared, campsites have been closed, staff has been cut, winter upkeep has disappeared, resulting in extreme vandalism to the Park Headquarters, and poaching has become a problem. I've seen the snares myself and have witnessed illegal fishing numerous times. Yes....I've reported these incidents. In short, we have been reduced to the role of care-takers of the Bathurst Camps, a role we gladly accepted so that kids could visit this place of beauty, experience nature and practice stewardship. We have invested heavily in the facilities with no goal of a financial return.

Four years ago, we approached the government and told them (DNR) it was impossible to continue with untimely leases if we were to invest in further maintenance of the property and were to, once again, work with Canadian schools. There are some very good people who work within the Department of Natural Resources who tried to make this happen. There are also some very bad people within the department (and behind the scenes) who have done everything they can to not let this happen. For four years we have been led to believe that a long-term lease was eminent. I have the letters.....signed by the Minister of Natural Resources. I was asked to submit a formal proposal. I did. There was an application fee. I continued to insure the camps. I even took on the Nictau Camps, insured them and bolted them up so no additional vandalism would occur as I waited for the terms of a lease to be decided.

I'll admit it now. I was used. I now believe that here was never any intention on the part of government to do anything but manipulate the situation so their asses were covered in terms of liability and maintenance costs. In typical New Brunswick political style, it seems politicians and power-brokers were cutting deals in back rooms for personal gain. I can give names.....I've met them.....they've lied to my face. Pay attention.....you'll hear their names in association with the park.

I can now accept that our time is almost over. Our corporation has already gone to "plan B" and we are looking at other properties outside the park....outside New Brunswick! -As a New Brunswicker myself, this is the hardest part!

Alan Morris, CEO, Carleton Project