Gary Mar

Since the horrific fire swept through Jasper National Park last week, I’ve been reflecting on my time in government. …this terrible fire caused me to think about whether governments did enough to avoid this outcome. I also think about lessons that all governments should take about public policy, effective leadership and the role of science when there is controversy. In 1999, I was environment minister in Alberta. …After devastating forests in B.C. the mountain pine beetle migrated with prevailing winds into Alberta, including Jasper National Park. …Unfortunately, the right thing to do appeared to many people to be overly drastic. …scientists were advising to remove huge swaths of forest through logging and prescribed fires. …This is a case study that reveals that good public policy is not always popular and what is popular is not always good public policy. …We need to listen to the science and act with long-term intentions. [Access to the full story requires a Globe and Mail subscription]