Parks Canada announced admission to Canada’s national parks and historic sites will be free to all visitors in 2017 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Confederation.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised free entry to Canada’s national parks during the federal election campaign and reiterated his promise in a mandate letter addressed to Catherine McKenna, the minister of environment and climate change.
“Make admission for all visitors to National Parks free in 2017, the 150th anniversary of Confederation,” the letter stated.
It went on to state that beginning in 2018 admission for children under 18 should also be free and adults who have become Canadian citizens in the previous 12 months should also enjoy one year’s free admission.
The prime minister also urged the minister to expand the Learn to Camp program, which helps low- and middle-income families experience the national parks.
Whether those promises are fulfilled remains to be seen.
When Parks announced the news Jan. 4, it tried to spin the message by saying annual park passes purchased in 2016 would be valid for two years.
“As a first step towards celebrating Canada150, Discovery Passes for 2016 will be valid for 24 months, rather than 12 months,” wrote Natalie Fay, a spokesperson for Parks Canada, in an emailed statement.
“The passes will incorporate the purchase of one year’s admission as well as admission to Parks Canada places in 2017.”
Although true, admission will be free to everyone in 2017. In other words, park visitors do not have to purchase a pass in 2016 to receive free admission the following year. So visitors neither gain nor lose anything by buying the pass now, it just ensures they don’t lose any money on the pass they buy in 2016.
The Discovery Pass gives visitors unlimited access to nearly 200 national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas across Canada and will cost a family or a group of seven $136.40, including tax. For a single adult it will cost $67.70.
According to Parks, an annual pass pays for itself in seven days compared to purchasing individual day passes. The Discovery Pass does not include camping fees.
For more information, visit: www.pc.gc.ca and click on Discovery Passes under quick links.
Although admission will be free in 2017, in an email Parks confirmed staff will continue to welcome visitors at the gate upon their arrival throughout 2017, allaying fears that free admission would make gate attendants redundant, resulting in job loses in the parks.
Paul Clarke
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