Permits
Rules and Regulations | Fishing Regulations

In provincial parks including Fish Creek Provincial Park, Big Hill Springs and Brown Lowery Provincial Parks, permits or letters of authority are required, and must be obtained from, Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Parks Division in order to conduct the following:

• special events
• research and collection
• filming and photography
• guiding and instruction

A Special Event Permit must be obtained for any activity carried out by an individual, group or association that by its nature and scope requires special provisions or approval. Special events may include such activities as races (walkathons, marathons, etc.) or other organized outdoor events which require the use of facilities or lands within provincial parks. These often involve involve greater than 50 participants and may include such things as directional signs, tents, or equipment setup.

Requirements:

A completed application and proof of liability insurance (minimum $2 000 000 per occurrence) must be submitted to Tourism, Parks & Recreation at least 60 days in advance of the event. Permits are issued after an application is submitted, reviewed and approved and proof of liability insurance and fees are provided. In some instances, a security deposit may also be required. Organizations that require special services from Tourism, Parks & Recreation will be charged for the cost of those services.

Application/Information:

As of January 2007, fees are required for special events permits.

For applications and further information on special event permits contact the following office:

Tourism, Parks & Recreation Ministry
Parks Division
Special Events & Permits Coordinator
2nd Floor, Provincial Building
Cochrane, Alberta
T4C 1B4
Phone: 403-851-2207
Fax: 403-932-2158
E-mail: Tammi.Rees@gov.ab.ca

NOTE: For group activities such as wedding ceremonies, group picnics, school non-programmed activities, etc., a Letter of Authority may only be required. The requirement for insurance may be waived in cases such as these. Contact the Fish Creek Provincial Park main office at (403) 297-5293 for more information at least 30 days in advance of your activity.

Commercial Filming and Still Photography

Written approval in the form of a Filming & Photography Permit must be obtained from Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation to conduct commercial filming and/or still photography. The request to conduct commercial filming and still photography must be received at least 5 days prior to commencing activity. Larger, more complex productions will require longer advance notice (i.e. 30 days).

Requirements:

A completed application or letter outlining the film project and proof of liability insurance (minimum $2 000 000 per occurrence) to, Alberta Toursim, Parks and Recreation, Parks Division. If approved, a Filming & Photography Permit will be issued. Officer supervision of the filming may be required and if so, this cost will be assessed by the Department. A security deposit or performance bond may be requested in an amount sufficient to cover any possible damage resulting from the project, including the cost of cleanup and reclamation.

Application/Information:

For applications and further information on commercial filming and still photography contact the following office:

Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation Tourism, Parks & Recreation Ministry
Parks Division
Special Events & Permits Coordinator
2nd Floor, Provincial Building
Cochrane, Alberta
T4C 1B4
Phone: 403-851-2207
Fax: 403-932-2158
E-mail: Tammi.Rees@gov.ab.ca

Research and Collection Permits

A Research and Collection Permit is required to carry out certain types of research and/or collection activities . An application form for research related to social, scientific or management studies is to be submitted to Tourism, Parks & Recreation for approval at least one month prior to start date. Permits are issued after an application is submitted, reviewed and approved by Tourism, Parks & Recreation. Permits are generally issued if there are no potential conflicts with visitors and environmental impacts are minimal. There is no charge for this type of permit.

Application/Information:

For applications and further information on research and collection permits contact the following office:

Tourism, Parks & Recreation Ministry
Parks Division
Melanie Percy
Senior Parks Ecologist
Suite #201
2nd Floor, Provincial Building
800 Railway Avenue
Canmore, Alberta
T1W1P1
Phone: 403-678-5500 ext. 231
Fax: 403-678-5505
E-mail: Melanie.Percy@gov.ab.ca

You can also apply and submit your application online here—only for "Research & Collection Permits":

Guiding and Instruction Permits

A Guiding and Instruction Permit is required by anyone who acts as a guide or conducts, for a fee, a course of instruction in a provincial park or recreation area. A guide is defined as a person who, for a fee, leads or guides persons on recreational trips. Permits are issued for a variety of activities such as guided hikes, cross country skiing, cycling trips, ecotourism and adventure-tourism activities.

In January 2007, changes to fees for a Guiding and Instruction Permit were introduced.

Requirements:

A completed application, a permit fee and proof of valid liability insurance (minimum $2 000 000.00 per occurrence) must be submitted to Tourism, Parks & Recreation at least one month prior to the operators' preferred start date. If the activity is approved, a permit with operating conditions will then be issued by Tourism, Parks & Recreation.

Application/Information:

For applications and further information on guiding, instruction permits and fees, contact the following office:

Tourism, Parks & Recreation Ministry
Parks Division
Special Events & Permits Coordinator
2nd Floor, Provincial Building
Cochrane, Alberta
T4C 1B4
Phone: 403-851-2207
Fax: 403-932-2158
E-mail: Tammi.Rees@gov.ab.ca