Allegedly they were "experienced outdoors backpackers". Guessing the dog being there played a role in the attack - animals can make wildlife more aggressive, and if it wasn't on a leash, it could've attacked the grizzly, provoking it. Then again, its entirely possible the grizzly learned that humans have food from some past hikers, and tried to get at the food from these guys.

If Parks Canada found a grizzly in the area and stated it was acting aggressive, I'd be inclined to believe them. They know animal behaviour pretty well.

I agree with you completely. I made my guess because they usually mention if a bear had cubs present during an attack, but it is an oversimplification to say the bear decided to see people that way for sure. All I meant by it is, once a bear is triggered into overcoming that fear or wariness and attacking/killing and possibly eating a human, there is a higher risk of them doing so again (unsurprisingly, if the behaviour was successful from the bear’s perspective).

It is a very arrogant and anthrocentric approach. I don’t condone it but I also don’t expect anything better (such as reducing human encroachment into their territory) because I am rightfully(?) jaded.