Parks Canada has chosen not to pursue legal action against Banff National Park superintendent Salman Rasheed following his acknowledgment of breaking federal regulations by allowing his dog off-leash. Jennifer Burnell, a spokesperson for Parks Canada, stated on Monday that the investigation by law enforcement has been completed, and the agency will not disclose further details to the public as no charges have been filed through the provincial court system in this case.
When asked for an interview, Burnell declined to comment. Rasheed, along with Parks Canada’s acting CEO Andrew Campbell and vice-president of operations Jewel Cunningham, did not respond immediately to requests for comments from CBC News.
Cunningham had previously mentioned that Parks Canada was examining the situation and would take appropriate action after the matter was referred to the law enforcement branch. Both Rasheed and Parks Canada have acknowledged the incident, with Rasheed referring to it as an “isolated lapse in judgment.” As the top official in Banff National Park, Rasheed is responsible for enforcing federal laws for Parks Canada.
The incident came to light when the Rocky Mountain Outlook, a local media outlet in the Bow Valley, reported with a photo that Rasheed was walking his dog Max off-leash on the Tunnel Mountain trail in Banff. Having dogs off-leash in Canadian national parks is against the law, and Rasheed’s incident occurred shortly after a well-known off-leash case resulted in a $1,500 penalty.
Parks Canada emphasized the importance of complying with national park regulations to safeguard wildlife, pets, visitors, and the ecological balance of the park areas under their stewardship. The agency reiterated that all individuals, whether visitors or residents, should adhere to these rules equally. An internal administrative review was initiated through management channels, and Parks Canada expressed satisfaction with how the matter was addressed, noting that it was a human resources issue and declined further comment.
Reports indicate that from 2021 to 2026, the Banff field unit recorded 503 off-leash dog incidents, resulting in 314 warnings and 22 charges. The Lake Louise, Yoho, Kootenay field unit had 106 reported incidents, leading to 79 warnings and 27 charges. Off-leash dog incidents may not result in criminal charges but can carry fines of up to $25,000.
Since July 29, 2026, thirteen individuals have admitted guilt in the Canmore Court of Justice for various violations of the Canada National Parks Act, including flying drones and camping without permits. Penalties ranged from $150 to $3,000.
