Parks Canada now investigating Banff National Park superintendent for violating National Parks Act

Parks Canada now investigating Banff National Park superintendent for violating National Parks Act

Parks Canada 'reviewing the matter further and will ensure appropriate action,' says agency vice-president

Parks Canada is launching an investigation after Banff National Park superintendent Sal Rasheed was photographed walking his dog off-leash — a violation of federal law in national parks.

In an emailed statement, Parks Canada senior vice-president of operations Jewel Cunningham said after the federal agency did an initial internal review and consulted with its law enforcement team, they are “reviewing the matter further and will ensure appropriate action.”

The statement comes less than a day after Parks Canada said it conducted an internal review and said it was “satisfied that the matter was appropriately addressed.”

Cunningham said the federal agency’s law enforcement branch is “separate from operations and reports directly to Parks Canada’s national office.”

“Law enforcement infractions are all investigated to the same standards and are not influenced by local park management,” she said.

She noted information collected isn’t public unless a person is charged, in which case the matter proceeds to the provincial court system.

“Compliance with national park regulations is fundamental to protecting wildlife, pets, visitors, and the ecological integrity of the places entrusted to our care,” she said.

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Superintendent admits to off-leash dog incident

The Bow Valley media outlet Rocky Mountain Outlook reported Oct. 8 that Rasheed was walking his dog off-leash on the Tunnel Mountain trail.

In an email to CBC News, Rasheed said it was an “isolated, lapse in judgment,” and it “reinforced the importance of leading by example.”

He said his commitment to “Parks Canada’s mandate remains unchanged,” and he’d continue to support the work to “protect wildlife, visitors and the ecological integrity of our national parks.”

Rasheed didn’t respond to a followup email for more information.

Banff field unit external relations manager Natalie Fay and press secretary for the federal Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature Amy Falkner haven’t responded to requests for comment from CBC News.

The Alberta courts told CBC News that no charges have been filed. Any person violating the off-leash dog regulation of the Canada National Parks Act regulation doesn’t face a criminal charge; they are instead typically issued a fine of up to $25,000.

Greg Colgan is a journalist for CBC in the Bow Valley. He was previously the editor of the Rocky Mountain Outlook in Banff and Canmore. He has also worked for media outlets in Ontario and has experience covering topics such as sports, politics, housing and development, courts and arts and entertainment. He joined CBC in 2025. He can be reached at greg.colgan@cbc.ca.