Canada's competition watchdog is urging the federal government to take action against the overwhelming market dominance of a U.S.-based company operating major tourist attractions in two of the country's most iconic national parks.
U.S. Firm's Stronghold in Iconic Parks
The Competition Bureau has identified a significant competitive concern in Alberta's mountain tourism sector. According to the watchdog, a single American company holds a dominant position over key visitor experiences and services within Banff and Jasper National Parks. This level of control, the Bureau argues, stifles competition and could negatively impact consumer choice, pricing, and the quality of services offered to the millions of tourists who visit these UNESCO World Heritage sites annually.
Call for Federal Intervention
The Bureau's recommendation, detailed in a report, explicitly calls on Ottawa to implement measures to curb this foreign dominance. While the specific actions were not fully detailed in the initial report, such interventions could involve regulatory changes, stricter review processes for foreign acquisitions in sensitive sectors like tourism, or policies designed to foster greater competition from Canadian-owned businesses. The move highlights ongoing concerns about foreign ownership and market concentration in critical areas of the Canadian economy, particularly within cherished national institutions like its flagship national parks.
Implications for Tourism and Local Economy
The situation in Banff and Jasper presents a unique challenge. The parks are crown jewels of Canadian tourism, drawing visitors from around the world. The concentration of key attractions—which could include sightseeing tours, transportation, or popular experiential activities—under one foreign corporate umbrella raises questions about long-term sustainability, reinvestment in local communities, and the preservation of a uniquely Canadian visitor experience. The Competition Bureau's stance suggests that a more diversified and competitive market would benefit both tourists and the local economies that depend on park-related tourism.
The report, published on December 21, 2025, places the issue squarely on the federal government's agenda. It now falls to policymakers to consider whether and how to respond to the watchdog's call to action, balancing open markets with the strategic interest of maintaining control over vital national tourism assets.
