Canada

Photo: Contributed - Brewster Travel Canada

Conceptual Drawing

Parks Canada wants more time to study a U.S. company's proposal to build a commercial tourism project at a World Heritage Site in the Rocky Mountains.

Brewster Travel Canada is proposing to build an interpretive trail and viewing platform overlooking glaciers along the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park.

Brewster says its Glacier Discovery Walk would triple the number of visitors to the area at a time when tourism in the mountain parks is down.

Environmental groups are staunchly opposed to the for-profit project, arguing the parks are there to preserve wildlife and ecosystems.

Parks Canada was to make its decision Tuesday, but said it needs more time to review an environmental assessment of Brewster's proposal.

The federal department said it will make a decision on the project in the coming weeks.

Click here to read Castanet's story, published a few weeks ago.