The federal government has rolled out the new Canada Strong Pass to allow Canadians free admission and discounts at national parks, historic sites, museums, and VIA Rail this summer.
“Our Canada Strong Pass aims to make it even easier for families to choose Canada—to discover the beauty of our country, connect with nature, and enjoy our culture all summer long,” Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Steven Guilbeault said in a June 16 statement.
A 25 percent discount on camping fees at Parks Canada sites will also be included in the pass. Children aged 17 and younger will be able to enter national museums and the Plains of Abraham museum for free, while those aged 18 to 24 will receive a 50 percent discount for entry.
Children aged 17 and under can also access the VIA Rail train for free, while young adults aged 18 to 24 can ride at a 25 percent discounted rate. Select provincial and territorial museums and galleries will offer free admission to children as well, and a 50 percent discount for adults aged 18 to 24.
Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism Rechie Valdez also spoke at the press conference and noted how the Canada Strong Pass will help strengthen Canada’s tourism sector.
“Canada’s tourism sector is absolutely essential to our national economy,” Valdez said. “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. In 2023, domestic tourism generated over $95 billion in the Canadian economy.
Valdez added that the Canada Strong Pass will make it “easier and more affordable” for Canadians to explore the country and “discover the beauty and diversity that Canada has to offer.”
No registration or physical pass is required, the release says, adding that Canadians can arrive at participating locations to enjoy the discounts offered. The government says that the pass is open to all visitors, including Canadians as well as those who are visiting from abroad.
Parks Canada has 171 national historic sites, 48 national parks, five national marine conservation areas, and one national urban park, which are spread across the country in every province and territory.
Parks Canada welcomes around 24 million visitors each year, making it one of Canada’s “leading tourism experience providers,” the June 16 news release says.
“Visitors to Parks Canada administered places help generate $4 billion to the national GDP and spend the equivalent of more than $11 million every day in communities across the country,” the release reads.
Liberal Campaign
Prime Minister Mark Carney promised his government would introduce the Canada Strong Pass during his election campaign in April. The Liberals said the pass aims to encourage Canadians to spend their summer in Canada instead of travelling to the United States amid tariffs threats, an April 12 news release said.“A Mark Carney-led government will stand strong against President Trump’s tariffs, create new jobs, cut taxes for the middle class, and build the fastest growing economy in the G7,” the release said. “Liberals will build Canada strong.”
The Canada Strong Pass builds on the Liberal Party’s plan to protect the country’s natural environment, which was announced days earlier in April.
In addition, the Liberals pledged to create at least 10 new national parks and marine conservation areas, as well as 15 new urban parks.
