Parks Canada has decided not to pursue legal action against Salman Rasheed, the superintendent of Banff National Park, despite his admission of breaking federal regulations by allowing his dog to be off-leash. Jennifer Burnell, a spokesperson for Parks Canada, stated on Monday that the law enforcement investigation has been completed, and the agency will not disclose further details as no charges have been filed through the provincial court system in this case.
When approached for an interview by CBC News, Burnell, Rasheed, Andrew Campbell (Parks Canada’s acting CEO and senior vice-president of transformation), and Jewel Cunningham (vice-president of operations) did not immediately respond.
Rasheed and Parks Canada both acknowledged the incident, with Rasheed describing it as a one-time error in judgment. As the top official in Banff National Park, Rasheed is responsible for enforcing federal laws for Parks Canada.
The situation came to light when a local media outlet, Rocky Mountain Outlook, reported with photographic evidence 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 case followed a recent high-profile incident that resulted in a $1,500 fine.
Parks Canada emphasized the importance of adherence to national park regulations for the protection of wildlife, pets, visitors, and the ecological balance of the areas under its stewardship. The agency stated that all individuals, including visitors and residents, should expect equal application of these rules. An internal administrative review was initiated through management channels, and Parks Canada indicated that it was satisfied with how the matter was addressed, considering it a human resources issue.
Between 2021 and 2026, the Banff field unit recorded 503 off-leash dog incidents, leading to 314 warnings and 22 charges. In the Lake Louise, Yoho, Kootenay field unit, there were 106 reported incidents, resulting in 79 warnings and 27 charges. Off-leash dog incidents can result in fines of up to $25,000 but not criminal charges.
Additionally, there have been 13 individuals who admitted guilt in Canmore Court of Justice for various violations of the Canada National Parks Act since July 29, 2026, with offenses such as flying drones and camping without permits. Fines issued ranged from $150 to $3,000.
