New ‘Canada Strong Pass’ offers free tickets and discounts at national parks, museums, VIA Rail

Minister of Culture and Identity Steven Guilbeault unveils the ‘Canada Strong Pass’ that will encourage domestic tourism amid tensions with the U.S.

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.

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

“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.”

In the face of frosty relations with the U.S., the federal government says the Canada Strong Pass will encourage domestic travel and help Canadians save money this summer.

Perks of the Canada Strong Pass include:

• Free admission to all Parks Canada national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas.
• A 25 per cent discount on Parks Canada camping fees, including tent and RV campsites, roofed accommodation like cabins and yurts, and overnight backcountry trips.
• Free admission to national museums for children aged 17 and under, and 50 per cent off for young adults aged 18 to 24.
• Free VIA Rail tickets for children aged 17 and under when accompanied by an adult, and 25 per cent off for young adults aged 18 to 24.
• Free admission for children at select provincial and territorial museums, and a 50 per cent discount for young adults aged 18 to 24.

Do I need a physical pass?

There is no need to register or get a physical pass – just show up and enjoy, or see your discount automatically applied online for things like campground reservations. The program is open to Canadians and visitors alike and will be in effect from June 20 to Sept. 2.

What if I made a reservation?

If you’ve already paid for summer reservations with Parks Canada or VIA Rail, you can contact them to get money back. More information is available on the Government of Canada’s website.

Which museums and galleries are included?

Participating museums and galleries include the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax, the Plains of Abraham Museum in Quebec City and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. Parks Canada locations include 171 national historic sites, 48 national parks, five national marine conservation areas and one national urban park. If you’ve already purchased an annual Parks Canada Discovery Pass, it will be extended for an additional three months.

Travel to U.S.

Details about the Canada Strong Pass were first announced during the recent federal election campaign.

“Canada’s tourism sector is absolutely essential to our national economy,” Rechie Valdez, minister of women and gender equality and secretary of state for small business and tourism, said at the press conference on Monday. “It supports one in every 10 jobs across this country and is a lifeline for rural towns, coastal hubs and bustling city centres as well.”

U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threats have contributed to a sharp decline in Canadian visits south of the border. According to Statistics Canada, the number of passengers at Canadian airports who were screened to travel to the U.S. plunged by 5.8 per cent in April, compared to a year ago. Statistics Canada data also shows that return trips by car over the Canada-U.S. land border were down 31.4 per cent in March.

“This is a gamechanger for our tourism industry and for Canadians,” Valdez said of the new initiative. “The Canada Strong Pass will make it easier and more affordable for Canadians to explore our country from coast to coast to coast. Whether it’s a weekend road trip, a cross-country rail journey on VIA Rail, or a family getaway to a national park, this pass will help more Canadians discover the beauty and diversity that Canada has to offer.”