Here’s how families are using the Canada Strong Pass

Many tourists and residents in Ottawa are taking advantage of the ‘Canada Strong’ pass during the Canada Day weekend. CTV’s Peter Szperling reports.

As the school year winds down, get ready to pack your bags to hop on a train, visit a national park, or a museum – free for some, depending on age.

Children aged 17 and under can visit several national museums in Ottawa for free this summer under the new Canada Strong Pass, and Via Rail has free or discounted passes too.

As part of the Canada Strong Pass, children aged 17 and under can travel for free on VIA Rail when accompanied by an adult. There will be a 25 per cent discount for young adults aged 18 to 24.

“Today we’re going to Toronto. So, my oldest grandson, who’s 17, we used the pass for him. It was great,” said Barbara Ferguson, who is travelling to Toronto from Fallowfield Station on VIA rail. She estimates they saved “about $250,” dollars on the trip because of the pass.

“I think it’s great. Like it’s a great way to travel. Yeah, it’s a great idea, especially for the summer. Stay in Canada (and) see, our beautiful country,” said Cindy Gaul who is travelling with June Keon – who is celebrating her birthday with a trip to Toronto.

“As Canada’s national rail passenger service, VIA Rail is proud to support the Canada Strong initiative,” said Via Rail in a written statement to CTV News.

“Since the program’s launch on June 16, families and young Canadians have been steadily using it to make reservations on our trains and explore the country. By making travel in Canada more accessible, this partnership strengthens Canadian pride, supports local economies, and promotes sustainable, shared experiences across Canada’s diverse communities.”

Canada Strong Pass offers free admission for children aged 17 and under, and 50 per cent off admission fees for youth aged 18 to 24.

“I wouldn’t have been able to hit the four museums that we went to,” said Jason Zachidniak, who is visiting from Montreal with his two children.

“I figured it was a good opportunity to educate my children.’

Friday morning, he was at the Canadian Museum of History.

“We’re really excited to be able to expand our audiences, and welcome people that may have not considered the museums in a long time,” said Stephanie Fortin, director of Commercial Operations with the Canadian Museum of History.

“We’ve noticed a pretty good increase in visitation,” said Jason Armstrong, director of visitor experience at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. “About half of the people who walk in the front door know about it. And they’ve come specifically because they come with their families, and they have kids. And so, they know they’re going to be free. And then about half still haven’t heard about it. And when they find out, they’re very pleasantly surprised.”

Armstrong says that anyone with a membership will have it extended for an additional two months, which is “a great opportunity for them to keep visiting even more.”

“That’s great news. We’ll get an extra two months. (The) girls love it here,” said a visitor with a membership.

Canada Strong Pass offers free admission for children aged 17 and under, and 50 per cent off admission fees for youth aged 18 to 24.

Participating museums

• Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
• Canada Aviation and Space Museum
• Canadian Museum of History
• Canadian Museum of Nature
• Canada Science and Technology Museum
• Canada War Museum
• National Gallery of Canada

Free admission to Parks Canada facilities

As part of the Canada Strong Pass, the federal government is offering free admission to places operated by Parks Canada from June 20 to Sept. 2. The venues include:

• Laurier House National Historic Site on Laurier Avenue East in Ottawa
• Fort Wellington National Historic Site in Prescott
• Rideau Canal National Historic Site
• Bellevue House National Historic Site in Kingston
• Thousand Islands National Park

VIA Rail

As part of the Canada Strong Pass, children aged 17 and under can travel for free on VIA Rail when accompanied by an adult. There will be a 25 per cent discount for young adults aged 18 to 24.

For more information on the Canada Strong Pass, click here.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Josh Pringle