U.S. Company Cleared in Banff Tourism Monopoly Probe

What’s Happening? The Competition Bureau has dropped its investigation into VIAD Corp, the U.S. company behind Pursuit, despite the company now controlling over 90% of Banff and Jasper’s paid sightseeing market. Critics are calling it a federal fumble, especially in the middle of a U.S.–Canada trade standoff.

The Backstory. Last year, Pursuit (owned by VIAD) bought the Jasper SkyTram, adding to its already massive footprint: Banff Gondola, Columbia Icefield tours, Golden Skybridge, Minnewanka cruises, Maligne Lake cruises, Brewster buses, and more. The move triggered complaints from Canadian competitors like Mt. Norquay, Sunshine, and Lake Louise, who claimed Pursuit’s bundling tactics (offering deep discounts for packaged attractions) were squeezing them out.

Case Closed? The Bureau now says there’s “inadequate evidence” that the merger reduces competition. But Norquay’s Adam Waterous isn’t buying it. He says the refusal to act is politically motivated, tied to Ottawa’s recent shelving of its digital sales tax after U.S. pressure.

Why It Matters. This isn’t just about gondolas and glacier tours. Critics argue a near-monopoly lets Pursuit raise prices, crowd out local operators, and contribute to Banff’s notorious traffic jams. And while Parks Canada has greenlit nearly all of Pursuit’s expansions since 2011, it’s blocked similar projects, like Norquay’s proposed townsite gondola.

The Takeaway. Visitors might not notice who owns what, but one company now controls most of Banff and Jasper’s top attractions. Critics say that dominance drives up prices and sidelines Canadian competitors. Pursuit, meanwhile, argues its bundled offerings improve access and value for visitors. 

Locals Vote: Should Canada Prioritize Canadian Ownership in National Park Tourism?

Out of 908 votes, 98.02% said they support prioritizing Canadian ownership in National Park Tourism.

Community Comments

• In today’s climate with the US, it’s despicable that they own anything at all in our national treasures. Give Canadian companies first dibs.

• Canada should avoid any monopoly, but even more so if the owners are not Canadian.

• We are Canadian, and Canada should run Canada.

• So, that leaves jobs alone and virtually no ownership of the industrial base. Sounds like a sellout to me! Even the jobs are largely occupied by seasonal foreign nationals. Normally this wouldn't bother me, but under current circumstances I feel that Canadians have the best interest of Banff at heart. Look what has happened in Canmore's Three Sisters Mtn Village! What a freaking MESS!!

• Seems like such a no-brainer. I don’t imagine other countries let you go in and monopolize businesses in their cities. Why would they? The goal would be to enhance your own country’s economy.

• A national park should be controlled solely by the Canadian federal department.

• Until Canada makes the necessary choices in government and business to economically compete on equal footing with other countries—purely from a cost perspective—why should the consumer be put in a position to pay more to support some form of national pride? National pride, economically speaking, comes from being able to provide better products and prices than what other countries offer. Simply "buying Canadian" under the guise of national pride, even if it's inferior in quality, price, or service, keeps us economically behind. We should never have sold anything in national parks to foreign interests. It should be illegal!

• Support Canadian small business rather than US corporations.

• All Canadian National Park businesses should be wholly Canadian owned. The current model has made most attractions unaffordable for average Canadians.

• Time to boycott them I guess. These are Canadian National Parks. National parks. The word National should say it all.

• Thanks for the information. All tourists should be made aware of the USA control so they can consider whether to use Pursuit.

• Canada Parks is so against Canadians enjoying what they own and against supporting any development by long-standing Canadian entities. It is so frustrating and not right!

• National Parks means Canada, not International Parks. It’s the heritage and legacy that has been passed down through the years.

• I’ll just answer with a question: Are other countries’ national parks predominantly owned by companies from other countries? Canadian tourism should be owned, controlled, and run by Canadians. I can’t even believe this is a thing.

• Should be CDN owned. This is ridiculous.

• Now is the time for Canadians to own and run these operations. Competition is good and should be allowed, not monopolized. There is only one Banff Park and it is for Canadians. Local Canadians should have a fair opportunity to own and operate a business in the park. Parks Canada has an obligation to ensure fairness and accessibility for Canadian businesses. Is there a connection between Parks Canada and Aviad?

• Right now is not the time for the US to have such a stronghold in our national park.

• Shop and support Canadian, eh? Elbows up! I would even pay extra to support CDN.

• Not only do we not want corporate America making money from our parks, we don’t need them. Corporate America loves Donald Trump, and he is wreaking havoc on Canada and many countries. I say we fight—our Canadian companies need support to grow here in Canada, not corporate American companies who get huge tax breaks while the middle and lower class suffer.

• As a local, I make a point to support local. I will not support this giant conglomerate, and I will make sure everybody I know is aware as well. US products and companies right now are not being seen in a positive light. They should probably tuck tail for a while.

• Having one company control so much of the market is not in the general public’s best interest.

• Time for us to take control of our own resources and tourism venues. Let’s quit depending on others to do our work.

• Pursuit does a terrific job of developing attractions and maintaining infrastructure. They bought out several attractions when the owners could no longer operate them. We should be glad there are corporations with deep pockets to maintain these tourist destinations. Otherwise, our parks would look run down and uninviting.

• Canada should be enforcing a 10% foreign business ownership policy. Crazy how Canada owns 0 percent of Canada’s land, water, and business.

• There should not be one company that owns 90% of the tourism market regardless of who it is. However, this is a National Park—probably the most famous one—which makes it feel very wrong. Sadly, this is all about money. I still don’t get why a USA-owned company can own these attractions. Again, all about money. Sad!

• We need to get the chain stores and restaurants out of Banff. When we moved here in 1975, the only chain restaurant was A&W. Look what has happened! Unfortunately, a lot of commercial landlords feel safer renting to big conglomerates because they know the rent will be paid. I think those leases should not be renewed and should instead be offered to local companies.

• The US should focus on their own national parks. National parks are a country’s treasures and are under federal jurisdiction to ensure they are protected. This includes protecting them from foreign ownership.

• We have limited chances to fight against the economic takeover of Canada, but we should do whatever we can.

• This is a no-brainer.

• It’s embarrassing how much we are selling our country to foreign investment.

• Why are US companies allowed to own anything in a Canadian National Park???

• We need to support local, end of story.

• Doesn’t this trade war with the US make us realize this?

• Elbows up.

• The local owners should band together to let it be known Pursuit is American—and that locals provide a superior service.

• We should not let a monopoly control so many attractions. We’ve seen what the Vail Group has done to Canadian ski operations—and it's not good. Parks Canada makes poor decisions, and yes, it’s because they’re based in Ottawa, pandering to Liberal wishes. Not opposed to some foreign ownership, but we’re talking about the crown jewels of the Canadian park system. Even telecom and airlines get more scrutiny.

• Disturbing conclusion on this issue. Thank you for publishing the results. For goodness’ sake, this is our country. Canadian citizens have the right to run these businesses and are more likely to follow the rules. Canada should always be aware of US corporations trying to get their foot in the door.

• Hell yes, this is a no-brainer!

• It’s our Canadian heritage and it shouldn’t be sold.

• Why wouldn’t we do everything in our power to keep it all Canadian? Absolutely—it should be a Canadian company offering activities in Canada. Why was a US company allowed to do this in the first place? Someone didn’t do their research. Why are we encouraging people to travel Canada when the money ends up in the US?

• We should also charge every visitor park fees—with discounts for Alberta residents!

• Canadian—but also managed ethically, with local affordability, community access, traffic impact, employment, and profits in mind. Especially now, the government should practice what it preaches: buy Canadian, support Canadian.

• Non-Canadian ownership sends revenue from our mountains out of the country. Foreign control is not in Canada’s interest. This is new to me, and I’m disgusted and disappointed.

• As a resource, national park ownership should never be foreign.

• We’ve already lost too much to foreign ownership. Canadian businesses should be a priority—especially in National Parks.

• Other countries (including the USA) charge higher fees for non-citizens to access park services. So why is one of our most sensitive areas owned from abroad?

• This should have never happened. The Liberal government failed again to protect Canadian ownership. Their foreign ownership policies over the last decade have commercialized our parks. Shame on Parks Canada’s leasing model. Preservation will be key moving forward.

• Regardless of the current political climate, these are Canadian assets and should stay that way.

• No brainer!

• We don’t need American ownership in this country—especially not in Banff.

• Why would an American corporation have our best interests at heart?

• We absolutely cannot let the US continue taking over Canadian property—especially now as Trump sets his sights on wrecking our economy. Canada First, always.

• There should be no foreign ownership in National Parks. Keep all of Banff National Park Canadian. Prices are outrageous—it’s now cheaper to go on a tropical vacation than to visit our own park.

• These are Canada’s national parks. We’re slowly and quietly becoming the 51st state.

• I’m sick of the federal government saying one thing but not backing Canadians in what they do. How is it possible that an American company runs most activities in a federal park?

• These are our parks. Tourism in them should be totally in Canadian hands.

• Why are we selling off Canadian gems? Foreign ownership is already too widespread.

• It may be too late to reverse this, but our National Parks should be Canadian-owned. There’s far too much foreign investment—it’s sad.

• Pursuit’s business practices are unseemly. Hiking up Sulphur Mountain used to mean a free gondola ride down. Not anymore. Prices are ridiculous. Foreign ownership in our National Parks is just wrong.

• National parks should be 100% Canadian-owned. We need to trace the money and see who’s really invested.

• Elbows up! I’ve been saying for months that Pursuit controls our tourism jewels and gives us back tariffs.

• Buy Canadian! Support Canadian businesses.

• Canada should reduce foreign ownership of businesses and property.

• It annoys me when companies like Brewster and Tim’s wrap themselves in the Canadian flag but are foreign-owned and send profits out of country. It’s outrageous that attractions and transport in National Parks are controlled by a US hedge fund.

• If you haven’t noticed yet—Trump would take over all of Canada if he could. Every little step we hold on to matters.

• Absolutely. The US would never allow such a large foreign investment in their national parks, or let a monopoly run them. Time to turn this around.

• YAS. I'm shook... This is f'd. I recently overheard some dingus bragging to his buddy in Beamer's that his company owns all the hotels in Jasper so they control price rates in the town. Then he complained they don’t in some other town and it's "terrible." I wish I'd caught the company name because it sounds like the same one. F*** this noise. I'm so sick of monopolies in Canada.

• It’s a no-brainer, isn’t it? Very, very disappointed to learn it’s not Canadian-owned. Why and how did this happen??

• I was unaware of this unfair monopoly. More should be done to support our local companies.

• With the political climate now with the U.S., Canada needs to take control of our assets and keep Canadian companies Canadian.

• Self-explanatory!

• Once we give up control to American investors, it disrupts Canadian ideologies and what truly benefits Canadian citizens and the economy. Canada proud!

• This is a no-brainer.

• It is time to stop or vastly reduce glacier tourist visits, from both a safety and structural standpoint.

• It’s disgraceful that we are allowing this to happen. Shame on us.

• Yes… keep everything possible in Canadian control.

• Whatever happened to Canadian content? This is another Canadian government blunder, like when PRC (under the guise of CNOOC) was allowed to buy Nexen Inc. and laid off 210 Nexen Marketing employees after 2 years.

• It is very important. China is taking over in Canada already...

• We need to support Canadian business. Kick the U.S. out! More proof our government is corrupt and screwing Canadians.

• Yes, they should prioritize Canadian ownership and not allow monopolies. With the tariff war and "51st State" rhetoric, Canada more than ever needs to unify and push back. This protects tourism and sends a message: we’re not for sale. Elbows up.

• We should control our economy in all areas and not be dependent on other countries to develop our industries.

• Canada’s National Parks must provide equal opportunities to Canadian-owned businesses.

• Especially since we want to maintain our Canadian identity. Allowing a U.S. monopoly opens the wrong door.

• If 90% isn’t a monopoly, I’d like to see what is. The civil service must be blind, stupid, or paid off :(

• Can’t let foreigners control and own our national park facilities and money-making businesses.

• Canada First. Our political leaders need to stop bowing to every promised dollar. Pass a bill to prevent sale of Canadian equity to foreign monopolies. Such greed destroys.

• It’s outrageous that the U.S. owns anything in our national parks.

• I’d pay 20% more to deal with local Canadian tour operators.

• We should be trying to have locally owned businesses to ensure the money stays in the community.

• Absolutely should be owned and operated by Banff, and have nothing to do with the U.S. ever. It’s too late, I guess. Can the Canadian federal government own U.S. state attractions? Probably not.

• Simply put, Canada’s National Parks should be owned and controlled by Canadians and/or Canadian companies. End of story.

• Canadian tourism should be 100% Canadian. I thought it was. Thank you for the information.

• I’m dismayed to learn there’s so much foreign ownership in Banff and Jasper National Parks.

• Considering it’s a National Park, foreign business ownership should be restricted or prohibited.

• Government of Canada has dropped the bag here. Don’t we have competition laws protecting Canadian ownership? Time to nationalize—like Burkina Faso did under Ibrahim Traoré. Push them out of Alberta and B.C.

• National Parks should be completely controlled by Canadians, especially with the trade war. That profit should stay in Canada.

• It should be Alberta-owned. It’s our pride and joy. We should have an Alberta-only day. Would be great to go when we’re not a minority!

• They not only own attractions—they own many accommodations. They also contract with Rocky Mountaineer to supply buses and lodging.

• Although I am not in favour of the Norquay gondola, I don’t know how a U.S. company was allowed to own over 50% of the Canadian market in the first place. It makes me less proud of where we live. Why can’t we at least control major tourist attractions? Why let the U.S. benefit? Makes no sense.

• They are our parks and should be managed by Canadian companies!

• They are for Canadians—let’s keep the money they generate in Canada!

• Don’t sell Canada. National Parks, including activities, should be owned and operated by federal or provincial governments, not foreign entities. It’s terrible that the CP Hotels are foreign-owned. Don’t create a tourism monopoly that undermines Canadian-owned businesses.

• I would prefer Canadian attractions to remain Canadian-owned. The high prices make these sites unaffordable for locals unless they buy bundles. I don’t support the gondola in Banff and stick with Parks Canada to deny it.

• Shouldn’t even have to ask that question...

• As many of our businesses as possible—especially those in a national park—should be Canadian-owned.

• If you’re trying to protect our national parks by selling interests to foreign companies, you’re doing it wrong.

• We lived in Southeast Asia for years. In places like Cambodia, offshore ownership of tourist attractions is common, and the money doesn’t stay in the country. Canada should keep ownership to ensure dollars stay here. A national park should be run by Canadian agencies—full stop. The U.S. wouldn’t allow Chinese companies to run their tourist areas. I blame the Liberal government. Turns out "elbows up" also means bend over...

• Canada should protect and support Canadian ownership—especially within national park tourism. It’s our country and we should represent it in all areas of the economy.

• The issue is the monopoly the federal government allowed—not just foreign ownership.

• Why do we need another country managing what we’re fully capable of managing? What about safety standards for these sightseeing locations—are they up to Canadian standards?

• I never knew these places weren’t Canadian-owned until reading this. That’s extremely disappointing. How can it be called a Canadian attraction?

• I hit the wrong button! I meant to say yes, we should prioritize Canadian ownership!

• ANY ownership from outside Canada should not be allowed—period.

• I voted No on the foreign ownership restriction because I believe the real issue isn’t where a company is based—it’s how we regulate competition in tourism.

• There are valid concerns about Pursuit (owned by VIAD) dominating Banff and Jasper’s infrastructure. But that’s an issue for Canada’s competition watchdogs—not a reason to block foreign ownership altogether.

• Restricting companies based on nationality sets a dangerous precedent and risks stifling broader investment.

• Foreign investment has always played a role in Canada’s growth. The concern is monopoly power—whether foreign or domestic—and it should be addressed through strong policy enforcement.

• Why should Canada relinquish our National Parks to U.S. investors? The U.S. is gutting its own park funding and expanding into ours, limiting Canadian opportunities.

• It should never be sold to another country. Canada First.

• What are we doing? If we want to protect our identity, values, and economy, we should not sell off our national/provincial parks, mineral and water rights, land, or resources to non-Canadian companies or individuals. All Crown and Indigenous lands—and the businesses that profit from them—should benefit Canadians only.

• No-brainer. Especially during these tariff wars. Get U.S. businesses out of our country. Elbows up. We lost much of Jasper to wildfires—bet that U.S. ownership group hasn’t paid a cent toward rebuilding.

• Especially in this political climate!

• Pursuit exploits the National Parks and gives very little back to the community.

• I don’t like the idea of an American company making money off a Canadian National Park. Their foothold in Canada needs to stop.

• It’s more important than ever to increase Canadian ownership across the board.

What Do You Think?

Let Us Know In The Comments Below