Canada Strong Pass to offer free admission to national museums in Ottawa over Christmas

The federal government announced an early Christmas present for families, extending the Canada Strong Pass for national museums/Via Rail for the holiday season.

Federal museums in Ottawa say they’re looking forward to welcoming visitors this Christmas, with the renewal of the Canada Strong Pass.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the popular Canada Strong Pass would return over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season and again next summer on Friday, while discussing other affordability measures to be included in the fall budget.

“Since Canadian families loved the Canada Strong Pass and since no one can possibly experience all that Canada has to offer in just a few short months, we’re renewing it for the summer of 2026 and we’re also launching it for this holiday season, starting in mid-December,” Carney said, “giving Canadians the opportunity to take advantage that the discount the pass offers at what is an expensive time of year.”

The Canada Strong Pass is a federal program that grants free admission to national museums for children and teens aged 17 and under and a 50 per discount for young adults aged 18 to 24. It also allows for free travel on Via Rail for children aged 17 and under when accompanied by an adult and a 25 per cent discount for young adults aged 18 to 24.

The pass also granted free admission for all visitors to national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas administered by Parks Canada and a 25 per cent discount on camping fees. It was in effect from June 20 to Sept. 2.

The government announced Friday it would be back from Dec. 12, 2025, to Jan. 15, 2026, and then again next summer.

A spokesperson for the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum said they’re excited to welcome families over the holidays.

“We’re thrilled to welcome more families back with the Canada Strong Pass! The holidays are such a magical time at our museums—whether exploring the hands-on activities at the Canadian Children’s Museum, discovering new exhibitions at the Canadian Museum of History, or experiencing the stories and displays at the Canadian War Museum,“ the statement said. ”It’s the perfect way for families to make memories together this season—and we can’t wait to see even more smiles next summer!”

The Canadian Museum of Nature says it is also looking forward to it.

“Thanks to the Pass, the Museum saw an increase in attendance over this summer season, especially among youth,” a spokesperson said.

The National Gallery of Canada said in a statement it is “thrilled” to hear the pass has been renewed.

“We’re looking forward to working with the Government on this. Details to come.”

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said Friday this is a positive announcement for the capital.

“The renewal of the Canada Strong Pass will bring more visitors to Ottawa to enjoy our wonderful museums and cultural institutions,” he said on social media.

Carney said the Canada Strong Pass was “a big hit” over the summer, with increases to Via Rail ridership and attendance to museums.

The Canadian Museum of Nature said it saw a 13 per cent increase in general attendance this summer compared to the June 20 to Sept. 1 period in 2024 and there was a 62 per cent increase in teens aged 13 to 17 visiting the museum. Visits were also up 12 per cent at the Canadian Museum of History, 18 per cent at the Canadian War Museum, and 4 per cent at the National Gallery of Canada.

Ottawa residents welcome pass’s return

Sophie Desjardins, a mother of five, says she is also glad to see the pass return.

“We are always looking for free activities because most of the activities are meant for a family with two kids,” she said. “Especially if it’s for Christmas, during the wintertime, no parks and stuff like that. For sure we’re looking forward for it. We’re always looking for good deals. We do all the museums but we rarely go to some of them. We rarely go to Nature Museum because it’s more expensive.”

Mylene Moreau, a parent to four children, says the Canada Strong Pass will allow her and her family to experience some of Canada’s national museums this holiday season.

“We would have been hesitant about going because the money that it costs, but having it free definitely makes it easier to go and gives us more opportunity to just learn and explore for the kids, and even for us as parents,” says Moreau.

Students in Ottawa, like Elizabeth Sternberg, say they are excited to take advantage of the reduced Via Rail passes.

“This will affect me greatly because my train ticket to go home right now was around 100-and-something dollars,’ Sternberg said.

“So, with the discount, it will be a lot cheaper and it’ll be a lower price to get me home and back to my family.”

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Camille Wilson.

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