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It now appears the rules have affected Parks Canada staff on routine public safety and wildlife issues.

Questions were initially raised after Parks Canada spokeswoman, Christina Tricomi, declined the Herald’s request for interviews on several operational issues last week — including a potential public safety issue on Aug. 11 after two wolves killed a deer in the Banff townsite.

It took officials almost a week to notify the public through the media.

When they finally did, an interview was requested with a resource conservation specialist about the incident.

No one was provided Monday, because Tricomi said they were out in the field and wouldn’t be available until Tuesday. When asked for an interview again the following day, Tricomi sent an email explaining that they wouldn’t be providing an interview.

“We are of the view that we were able to respond fully and sufficiently in writing, and in an appropriate format based on the nature of the questions,” she wrote.

The Herald hadn’t provided a list of questions.

In addition, Tricomi noted that “the Caretaker Convention governs government operations and, according to this Convention, departments and agencies must curtail their communications activities.”

However, the protocol clearly states routine, non-controversial or urgent issues can be addressed.

Colleen Campbell, president of the Bow Valley Naturalists, said the issue of wolves coming into town is in the immediate public interest.