The RCMP has taken over law enforcement duties in Canada's national parks, after a federal appeals officer ruled it's too risky for unarmed wardens to handle the responsibility.

Douglas Malanka, an officer with Canada Appeals Office on Occupational Health and Safety, handed down his ruling Tuesday, concluding that wardens need to be equipped with a sidearm, given the potential dangers they face on the job.

Until wardens are properly equipped, and trained to use their weapons, they must be pulled from their policing duties, he ruled.

Doug Stewart, the director of Canada's national parks, says Parks Canada has not yet decided if it will arm its wardens, none of whom currently carry guns. While Parks Canada makes a decision, it has pulled all wardens from enforcement duties.

"We are still reviewing [the ruling], understanding it from a legal perspective and coming to terms with what it means for us," Stewart told CBC News on Thursday.

After a 7-year battle

The ruling comes after a seven-year battle. In 2000, Doug Martin, a warden at Banff National Park, filed a health and safety complaint under Canada's Labour Code, arguing that the safety of wardens is threatened because they aren't equipped with guns.

Since then, there have been several court challenges in the issue, which has divided the 425 wardens who patrol Canada's national parks. Not all wardens want to carry guns.

The union that represents wardens — the Public Service Alliance of Canada — applauded the latest ruling on Thursday.

"This is a thoughtful ruling and we urge Parks Canada to implement the orders without delay," Patty Ducharme, vice-president of the union's national executive, said in a press release.

She urged Parks Canada not to appeal the decision.

"We want the park wardens responsible for law enforcement to be given the proper equipment and this appeals officer has determined that sidearms are the appropriate equipment."

Until a decision is made about arming wardens, they will continue with their other duties at Canada's 39 national parks, including studying and managing the ecosystems, and developing public safety programs.

Stewart said when wardens did do law enforcement, some of their responsibilities included stopping poachers who try to remove animals and plants illegally from the parks.