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Most private home accommodation operators in Jasper would have gone out of business if the proposed amendments to the 2005 Jasper Land-Use Policy had gone through.
Parks Canada put forward these controversial amendments in May that were subsequently withdrawn for further consultation.
In response to this proposed policy, PHA operators are speaking out.
PHA owners follow rules and guidelines
Private Home Accommodations (PHAs) in Jasper are regulated, inspected and licensed.聽
The operators must reside in the dwelling unit, which is a model for other communities where issues may arise from short-term rentals run by absentee landlords.聽
PHAs enhance our residential neighbourhoods
Dale Karpluk, who is a long-time member of the Jasper Home Accommodation Association (JHAA) board and a PHA operator, offered her thoughts.
鈥淥perators run their PHA out of their homes and take pride in exemplary maintenance of their houses and yards,鈥� Karpluk said.聽
鈥淣umerous operators of PHAs have taken part in the Annual Jasper Municipal Library Secret Garden Tour and are invited to showcase their gardens for the Communities in Bloom Committee as evidence of the care and attention paid to PHA properties.
鈥淕uests love to sit in the garden and enjoy conversations with a local.鈥�
PHAs help young business owners
PHAs assist young Jasper business owners in getting established.聽
Diana Donat and her husband came to Jasper in 2008 with $200 and a rice cooker. Today, they manage a successful PHA, own a second rental home and operate a business while raising a young family.
PHAs help young families
Joseph Cackett spoke on behalf of himself and his wife Paula.
鈥淧aula and I both grew up here and we ended up buying Paula鈥檚 parent's house, and without the extra income from the approved accommodation, I think we would have to move. I don鈥檛 think we鈥檇 be able to buy her childhood home.
鈥淚 think we offer something different, a more homely experience.
鈥淣ot everyone wants to stay at a campground or at a hotel (and) I think PHAs offer another experience that Jasper can provide.
鈥淲e have three young children鈥nd we鈥檝e had comments from guests that they鈥檙e happy to see that their money is directly affecting a family in Jasper鈥nd that we can continue our lifestyle in Jasper.鈥�
Matt Staneland offered his and his wife Meghan鈥檚 perspective on the importance of having PHAs in Jasper.
鈥淲e offer a unique experience for people who are looking for something other than a hotel.
鈥淧eople like it. It鈥檚 quiet. It鈥檚 away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. They enjoy meeting us and we enjoy meeting them, and we鈥檝e had a lot of great people from around the world.
鈥淧eople are looking for that experience when they come to a small town, they want to see how people live (and) I love being an ambassador for Jasper and chatting with people and giving them advice on where to go biking and hiking. I think that鈥檚 the real value of it.鈥�
PHAs supplement retirement and allow seniors to stay in their homes
Karen Phillips discussed the value of having a PHA for her family.
鈥淚 began my career as a PHA host 33 years ago, as a young mom with a toddler and a newborn, and a husband on call on the railway鈥o a PHA worked well for us, allowing me to earn the additional income we needed.
鈥淢y husband is now retired and we continue to rent our accommodation to supplement his pension.
鈥淎lthough the cleaning and laundry get tedious, sharing my love of my adopted mountain town with visitors, and being able to enhance their stay in Jasper National Park, that is my favorite part of my job.鈥�
A Jasper reality
Jasper has had a housing shortage for decades, and it is not the fault of a handful of PHA operators.聽
Parks Canada is responsible for land-use planning and development, and the municipality and Parks have agreed to co-review the governance agreement, which may lead to welcome change.聽
The JHAA board believes that Parks provides a valuable service to Jasper, but land-use planning and development should be the responsibility of democratically elected officials. Parks鈥� employees can then focus on the many other areas in which they have expertise.
The 2022 Management Plan recently released states that, 鈥淭he park is also a home and place to earn a livelihood. The community of Jasper continues to embrace and exemplify its vision of a small, friendly and sustainable community. Business operators contribute to park stewardship through sustainable tourism products, services and business practices.鈥�
PHA operators are hopeful that this ensures a place for all of us who provide a valuable service to our community.
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