Avalanche control near Rogers Pass essential, Conservative Party says

Since 1961, the Canadian Armed Forces have waged war with avalanches in the country's mountain passes, firing 105-millimetre artillery shells into the Rockies to protect vital infrastructure. (File)

The Conservative Party of Canada is calling on the Carney government to alter course on a plan to drop the use of artillery to prevent avalanches in the Rocky Mountains.

On Tuesday, the Conservatives called the issue a matter of “economic importance” for Canada.

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“For 65 years, soldiers of the Royal Canadian Artillery have supported avalanche control operations in the area, helping keep this vital economic corridor open year-round,” said Dane Lloyd, the Conservative shadow minister for emergency preparedness and community resilience, and Mel Arnold, associate shadow minister for fisheries, in a joint statement.

“Over 4,000 vehicles and 40 trains pass through Rogers Pass every day, and every hour it’s closed would cost the Canadian economy an estimated $3 million. The annual deployment of the (Canadian Armed Forces) under OP PALACI to Rogers Pass provides protection to a critical transportation gateway at a low cost to taxpayers.”

‘A key economic corridor at risk’

Last month, Parks Canada and the Department of National Defence said the practice of using artillery for avalanche control in Canada’s mountain passes would stop, effective August 2027.

The strategy, called Operation Palaci, is the longest-running Canadian military operation, which relies on gunners firing 105-millimetre howitzers from 18 different firing positions to keep highway and rail corridors safe from avalanches.

Rogers Pass, one of the locations monitored by Operation Palaci, is widely considered to be one of the most avalanche-prone corridors on the continent.

The Canadian Armed Forces has offered to assist Parks Canada with transition planning before the expiry of the current agreement, but the Conservatives aren’t satisfied with that plan.

“The Liberal government has not outlined any strategy for how avalanche control and public safety at Rogers Pass will be maintained once the CAF’s involvement ends,” the party said.

“This significant Liberal government cut puts safety and a key economic corridor at risk.”

CTV News has reached out to the Liberal government for comment on the Conservatives’ call for action.