Parks Canada is investigating an unauthorized celebration on the frozen surface of Lake Louise, Alberta, after a late-January event left pink dye and hundreds of metallic confetti pieces scattered on the ice. The incident occurred on January 31, 2026, and remnants suggest the use of a confetti cannon or similar dye device near the historic boathouse.
A visitor who later posted about the incident on Reddit under the username u/Au_Bears said they discovered the debris on Feb. 6 and spent more than an hour collecting hundreds of pieces of metallic tinsel before delivering the material to the Lake Louise Visitor Centre. The debris was located roughly 75 metres from the historic boathouse on the lake ice. Parks Canada says it is reviewing archived webcam footage (including the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise webcam) and monitoring social media as part of its investigation.
Parks Canada reminds visitors that littering and polluting in a national park are offences. News reports and Parks Canada guidance have cited fines of up to $25,000 for littering in national parks; however, the Canada National Parks Act contains broader penalty provisions and higher fines may apply for more serious offences or corporate cases. The rules exist to protect the local ecosystem and ensure the park remains clean for all visitors, and the incident has renewed concerns about the environmental impact of social-media-driven events in fragile natural areas.
