Canadian nature lovers are expressing anger at a government decision that closes beauty spots to the public, allowing native groups exclusive access to ‘reconnect’ with the land.

Outdoor enthusiasts have criticized the British Columbia government for shutting down Joffre Lakes Park and its turquoise waters to regular taxpayers for over 100 days during peak season.

The policy also applies to Botanical Beach on Vancouver Island, which was closed for 24 hours to nonindigenous people, providing exclusive access to the Pacheedaht First Nation.

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 to make Canada a ’51st state’ of America.

The vast country has been convulsed by its own culture wars after a decade of former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s ultra-liberal rule.

Caroline Elliott, director of the Public Land Use Society, a campaign group, slammed the closure of Joffre Lakes as unfair in a recent post on X that’s been viewed 172,000 times and generated hundred of comments.

‘It’s divisive, it sets a terrible precedent, and it’s just plain wrong,’ Elliott says in the video. 

‘What it isn’t is complicated. BC’s parks belong to all British Columbians.’

Angry social media users commented on the video, saying the shuttering was ‘discriminatory,’ and amounted to ‘identity politics,’ ‘racial segregation,’ and even an ‘apartheid, Canadian-style.’

‘These are provincial parks, not tribal reserves,’ posted one user.

‘Everyone pays for them. Everyone maintains them. Everyone should be welcome.’

Joffre Lakes park has been closed in peak season so that the Líl̓wat Nation and the N’Quatqua First Nation can have exclusive access to its turquoise lakes, streams, and forests annually since 2023.

Each year, the closures have grown longer, leaving some worried that one of the province’s busiest parks would be shuttered to nonindigenous residents permanently in the future.

The closure lasted for only 39 days in 2023, but grew to 60 days in 2024 and more than 100 days this year, says Elliott.

The ministry in a statement to the Daily Mail said it was ‘important to give time and space for the land to rest, while ensuring the Nations can use this space as they always have.’

‘We have built a strong relationship with the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua to make sure the natural and cultural values of the park are protected,’ said the statement.

‘We continue to work with the Nations to ensure opportunities exist for people to access the park in a responsible and sustainable way.’

Back in 2023, the closure was not initiated by the officials – native groups unilaterally decided to deny access to other residents so they could practice their hunting and fishing traditions there.

A statement from the group at the time said they were ‘asserting our Title and Rights to our shared unceded territory to take this time to harvest and gather our resources within our territories.’

During last year’s closure, Líl̓wat Nation Chief Dean Nelson said the park was sacred to his community.

‘We are striving to reintroduce our community to an area where they have been marginalized,’ Nelson told CBC.

‘The time and space created by these closures will allow our youth, elders and all Líl̓wat citizens to practise their inherent rights while reconnecting with the land.’

The day-long closure of Botanical Beach park on Vancouver Island and its beloved tidal pools on May 25 has also raised concerns.

In a statement, the parks department said the area was once home to the Pacheedaht, but that the area’s growing popularity made it ‘challenging’ for members of the group to access it.

Elsewhere in British Columbia, federally run recreation areas have also been closed to the public, with authorities also citing cultural concerns.

They include parts of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and Parts of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Elliot’s campaign group says the closures set a worrying precedent.

In the case of Joffre Lakes park, native groups have only asserted land rights, but they’ve not been established in court, she says.

The hiking enthusiast said it was worrying that ‘mere assertion of title confers the right to prohibit public access to public spaces.’

‘What would prevent more closures like this, not just in other parks, but in relation to any other public lands?’ she added.