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Canadian nature lovers are outraged by a government decision to shutter beauty spots to the public so they can be used exclusively by native groups to ‘reconnect’ with the land.
Outdoors enthusiasts have slammed the government of British Columbia for closing Joffre Lakes Park and its turquoise waters for more than 100 days in peak season to regular taxpayers.
The same goes for the 24-hour closure of Botanical Beach on Vancouver Island to nonindigenous people, so members of the Pacheedaht First Nation could have it to themselves.
Critics have taken to social media to slam the closures as unfair and ‘apartheid, Canadian-style,’ with native groups getting special treatment as everyone else is sidelined.
The province’s Ministry of Environment and Parks has called the closures part of a ‘path of reconciliation’ with native people.
The controversy follows a blockbuster Canadian election that was overshadowed by US President Donald Trump‘s push …