New Canadians Get Free Admission to Parks

Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park is seen in this Oct. 22, 2009 photo. (The Canadian Press/Bill Graveland)

Newcomers to Canada and new citizens can explore the country’s national parks for free this year.

According to Parks Canada, national sites including the Canadian Rockies, parts of the Maritimes, and everywhere in between, can be accessed for free for those new to the country.

Free admission applies to Canada’s national historic sites, national parks, and marine conservation areas and can be claimed through the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s Canoo mobile app.

The app can be downloaded on the Google Play store or Apple Store at no cost, but it is limited to those 18 years of age and older who have become Canadian citizens in the last year or a permanent resident in the last five years.

Canoo offers access to over 1,400 cultural and outdoor experiences including the Vancouver Art Gallery, Royal Ontario Museum, and more. It allows a family unlimited free admission to tons of the best places in the country, according to the app details.

New Canadians can also get a 50 percent discount on VIA Rail Canada tickets and 15 percent off Air Canada flights in Canada.

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The free admission offer is good for a year after being activated, according to the Parks Canada website.

Canoo users will need to install the app on their phones before arriving at the destination. Once at a park or visitor site, ask for the Canoo venue or QR code.

Tap “check-in” and enter the code. Once completed, a Canoo check-in card will be displayed in the app. Show the card to the venue staff for free admission. You may also be asked for government-issued identification.

There are over 1,000 national historic sites in Canada, with Parks Canada overseeing 171 of them.

Parks Canada manages 37 national parks, 10 national park reserves, and five marine conservation areas.

While free admission is offered to the sites, there are some costs that Parks Canada won’t cover, including camping costs, reservation fees, a Discovery Pass, guided tours and hikes, special event fees, firewood, and entrance to the Canadian Rockies Hot Springs.