Canada Strong Pass creating excitement, some concern for stakeholders in Alberta national parks

The federal government has announced its new Canada Strong Pass to provide Canadians and visitors with free entry into national parks this summer.

LETHBRIDGE, ALTA. — The federal government’s new Canada Strong Pass will provide Canadians and visitors with free entry and discounts at national parks and museums this summer.

From June 20 to Sept. 2, 2025, Canadians will be able to visit national parks, historical sites, and marine conservation areas for free.

The tourism initiative will also allow children aged 17 and under to travel for free on VIA Rail when accompanied by an adult.

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“Our government is making it easier for families to choose Canada as they make their summer plans and to enjoy the places and experiences that bring us together and make Canada strong,” Steven Guilbeault, minister of Canadian identity and culture and minister responsible for official languages, said during a press conference on Monday.

“To celebrate and stand up for what it means to be Canadian, this pass is about discovering and reconnecting with nature, history, and culture of this remarkable country we all share and are proud to call our home.”

The Bayshore Inn and Spa in Waterton Park is coming off its busiest weekend in June on record, according to owner Shameer Suleman, with the summer season already booked.

“We always want all Canadians to visit and enjoy and see their national parks,” said Suleman.

Being a seasonal destination, Suleman says the summer season is vital for businesses to stay afloat, so the more travellers, the better when it comes to their bottom line.

But, he says, there are some concerns.

“It’s a fine line between showing off our national parks and overtourism,” he said.

“When you have too many people, it can destroy this beautiful ecosystem and place that we have. We also want everyone that comes to this beautiful park to have an amazing experience, and we don’t want that experience to be ruined by overtourism and too many people.”

More than 540,000 visitors went through the gates of Waterton Lakes National Park 2024 – the second busiest on record, according to Parks Canada.

The busiest year was in 2017, when admission was free to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday.

“It was a lot for us,” said Suleman, reflecting back on 2017.

“We’re a town of 400 hotel rooms, a couple of campgrounds; we weren’t expecting that many people, but now we’re a bit more prepared.”

“Parks Canada has come out with a gate management plan, so we are working closely with Parks Canada right now on what we’re to expect, what we’re to tell our guests about high-traffic areas like Red Rock Canyon so that we are ready,” said Suleman.

The mayor of Banff says the town is always happy to see travellers visiting but says systems need to be in place to help facilitate free entry.

“We hope that this is a way for the federal and provincial governments to come together and look at how we can better serve Canadians coming to our national park and for us, that means mass transit,” said Mayor Corrie Dimanno.

“We have been the same size since 1990; we have the same road network, the same parking capacity and visitation has grown since then, so we really do need a convenient, affordable and frequent way for folks to get from the city to the mountains.”

Parks Canada says 4.2 million people visited Banff National Park last year, a slight decrease from 2023.

Parks Canada says efforts to raise awareness of trip planning, promote shoulder season and less sensitive areas of the park and manage crowd sizes are ongoing.

Parks Canada Discovery Passes, or annual single-location passes normally valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, will automatically be extended for an additional three months.