UPDATED October 12, 2007
I finally heard back from The Parks Listens Panel Team (Ipsos-Reid) regarding their confusing Parks Canada survey and $1000 contest. The entire email is reprinted in the comments below.
A quick summary for those like me mightily confused:
There are two separate links:
www.join.parkslistens.ca is the official website for individuals who have received an invitation card to join the Parks Listens panel ($1000 contest)
www.parkslistens.ca is the login webpage for individuals who have already registered with the Parks Listens panel.
In order to clarify eligibility to participate in the Parks Listens panel and the prize draw contest, we have added more information to both web pages.
questions to parkslistens-parcecoute@ipsos-reid.com
original post from September 28th, 2007 below =====
I want to thank Frank Grigel of the Canada Parks Listens project.
He’s the first person who has acknowledge to me from the Project that he listens.
BACKGROUND:
I love Parks Canada — but complain consistently that their Park Entrance fees and User Fees are much higher than the USA:
hike Canada or the USA? – UPDATE – September 9th, 2006
So far as I can see, Parks Canada is a typical, socialist government bureaucracy unaccountable to the Canadian taxpayer.
The one hope I might have some input into policy was an initiative called PARKS LISTENS.
At least they made an effort to collect input from the users of the National Parks.
Though I’ve been getting email surveys circulated by Parks Listens since the beginning, the Project to me seems to have been bungled. It’s run not by Parks Canada, but the Ipsos-Reid Corporation.
I have no idea where the Project is going. The time line. Nothing.
If you check the official website — www.parkslistens.ca — you will be none the wiser. (This redirects to http://iaf.ipsos.ca/iaf/parkslistens.html)
No information is available to the general public.
To promote the project, Parks Listens offered some $1000 prizes to those who join up to participate in their on-line surveys. The catch is … YOU NEED TO BE INVITED AND HAVE A PASSWORD. AND FIND THE RIGHT PAGE ON THE INTERNET TO REGISTER.
This process works for some, but not for many others.
In frustration, people ended up on this blog … venting. As am I.
Finally Frank sent us this message:
I work on the Parks Listens project. A person recently contacted us and said that when they tried to access http://www.join.parkslistens.ca that they were referred to this blog. I assure you that our site is operating and we receive new entries every day.
If you type http://www.join.parkslistens.ca into a search engine (such a Google) you are referred to this blog. Please try typing http://www.join.parkslistens.ca into your browser’s address. If you are still having problems, please contact us at parkslistens-parcsecoute@ipsos-reid.com.
I apologize to anyone who had trouble registering for the contest. It is real and the next entry deadline is October 31, 2007.
Thanks again, Frank.
I will refer people to the correct URL and email address.
But, seriously, why doesn’t Ipsos-Reid explain the project — and the contest — on the website? Here’s what it looks like today:
How friendly or helpful is was this?
Please tell Ipsos-Reid to put full information on the Project and Contest on the site. And to link to the seemingly hidden contest registration page so that those with invitations can find it.
Yeesh … Ipsos-Reid is one of the biggest and best survey companies in the World. They have thousands of employees.
How can they have messed up this Project so badly?
official website — www.parkslistens.ca/
besthike.com 
I usually really enjoy our national parks. The beauty of the areas is wonderful. However I feel that Parks Canada is falling short when it comes to the upkeep of our parks. I’ve e-mailed this to your attention about one year ago. We went to visit the Canada Place near Banff Alberta. As we were taking our walk around I noticed that the water was not turned on to the many beautiful waterfall areas with steps up to each one. It looked a bit crude (not having the water falls working). I was not impressed during the tour and not at all proud to be a Canadian amoungst all of our foreign visitors that day. On another note we stayed at Whistler Campsite in Jasper last week for one night. the Parks gate charged us $17.00 or so for staying in the park and Whister charged us more for staying in the campsite. We were asked if we wanted a campfire that night. We asked why and were told it would cost us $7 more (even though we had our own wood with us). I know we need pollution patrol but if we are going to be charged with pollution possibilities maybe the space program should pay 10 million times more for space exploration as one of those shuttles must pollute the air at least that many times more than a little wood fire at the campground.
… from Rick McCharles, besthike editor:
I recieved this email on October 12, 2007:
“Dear Mr. McCharles,
Thank you again for bringing this issue to our attention. There are two separate links:
http://www.join.parkslistens.ca
http://www.parkslistens.ca
In order to clarify eligibility to participate in the Parks Listens panel and the prize draw contest, we have added more information to both web pages.
If you receive any further communication from visitors who are having technical difficulties on the http://www.join.parkslistens.ca and will assist them.
Sincerely,
The Parks Listens Panel Team”
We live in close driving distance to Banff National Park and have enjoyed many Day Trips ,and particularly love the relaxing Swim in the Hot Springs Pool.
We live not to far from Banff and really enjoy the park, Johnson’s Canyon and really enjoy camping there. We were out there on the weekend of July 3/4th and had a wonderful time walking around and checking out the town. It is a beautiful place.
I have tryed to enter your $1000.00 contest. We travelled through thre Park on August 11-2010,and your Website year selection starts in the early 1900’s and ends in 2007. How do we enter if we can’t bring up the current yearof 2010????
I assume that contest has ended.
I visited Glacier National Park end of July 2010 and received an invitation card to win $1000 by completing a short survey. No mention was made that I had to register as a PANEL MEMBER in order to qualify. That was only obvious at the very end of the survey. Misleading or what?
I have traveled to Banff National Park fourteen (14) times and have enjoyed it every time. It is the most
beautiful park I have ever travelled to and I have been to Glacier, Rocky Mtn., Waterton Lakes and Denali Natl. Parks. My husband and I had many enjoyable days in your park. The first time he came
to Banff his remark was “I know you raved about this for 30 years but i never thought anything could be
this beautiful”. Thank you for the many enjoyable vacations in your beautiful park and for the friendliness of the Canadian people.
Marilyn Cleary