Parks Canada has decided not to pursue legal action against Banff National Park superintendent Salman Rasheed for breaking federal regulations by having his dog off-leash. According to Parks Canada spokesperson Jennifer Burnell, the law enforcement investigation has been completed, and the agency will not share further details unless charges are filed through the provincial court system, which is not the case in this situation.
CBC News reached out for an interview, but Burnell declined. Both Rasheed and Parks Canada had previously acknowledged the incident, with Rasheed attributing it to a momentary lapse in judgment. As the top official in Banff National Park, Rasheed is responsible for upholding federal laws for Parks Canada.
The issue came to light when the Rocky Mountain Outlook reported that Rasheed was walking his dog Max off-leash on the Tunnel Mountain trail in Banff. Having an off-leash dog in Canadian national parks is against the law, and this incident occurred shortly after a high-profile case resulted in a $1,500 fine for a similar offense.
Burnell emphasized the importance of complying with national park regulations to safeguard wildlife, pets, visitors, and the ecological balance of the parks. She stated that both visitors and residents expect these rules to be enforced uniformly for everyone, a sentiment echoed by Parks Canada.
An internal administrative review was initiated by Parks Canada through management channels to address the matter. It was deemed that the issue was handled appropriately, although the agency refrained from commenting further on the process.
Reports from the Banff field unit revealed 503 off-leash dog incidents between 2021 and 2026, 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 may not lead to criminal charges but can result in fines of up to $25,000.
Since July 29, 2026, 13 individuals have admitted guilt in Canmore Court of Justice for various violations of the Canada National Parks Act, such as flying drones and camping without a permit. Fines imposed ranged from $150 to $3,000.