As our neighbours to the south see visitor numbers declining, Canada is positioning itself as a go-to tourism destination for both locals and foreigners.
In a press conference at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa on Monday, Steven Guilbeault, the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, launched the Canada Strong Pass, a new tourism initiative intended to make it easier to vacation in Canada this summer.
“Over the past few months, we’ve seen Canadians across this great country come together in an incredible show of unity and pride to celebrate and stand up for what it means to be Canadian. And this pass is about discovering and reconnecting with the nature, history, and culture of this remarkable country we all share and are proud to call our own. It’s about enjoying the places and experiences that bring us together and make Canada strong,” said Guilbeault.
The Canada Strong Pass will run from June 20 to September 2 of this year. To find out how you can take advantage of it, here’s everything you need to know.
The summer of staycations: Liberals announce Canada Strong Pass
What is the Canada Strong Pass?
U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and border policies have Canadians looking for alternative travel destinations this summer. To help, the federal government has introduced the Canada Strong Pass to make staycations more affordable.
The pass provides free or discounted entry to national parks, museums, and historic attractions across the country. It also includes free or discounted fares on Via Rail, as well as discounted fees for camping spots.
Who’s eligible?
Anyone. According to the federal government, the Canada Strong Pass is open to both Canadians and visitors from abroad. “It’s an invitation to experience Canada’s cultural and natural richness,” said the government.
Due to space limitations, some sites will operate on a first-come-first-served basis. In these circumstances, the government suggests checking with the site before visiting.
The Canada Strong Pass also only covers admission. If you want to rent canoes in a national park or take a guided tour in a museum, you may have to pay an additional fee. These types of activities should be booked through the respective site in advance.
Where do you get it?
You don’t have to pay for it. You don’t even have to sign up for it. In fact, there’s no physical or virtual Canada Strong Pass. Just show up at participating sites and you’ll be able to enter for free.
For activities that require a reservation, such as Via Rail or campsites, the discount is applied when you book on their websites.
If you’ve already paid for one of these sites, say, a planned camping trip in July or a Via Rail ticket for later in the summer, contact the organization and they will refund you.
For anyone who has purchased a Parks Canada Discovery Pass or annual single-location pass valid for June, July, and/or August, Parks Canada will automatically extend the pass for an additional three months. For example, a pass that expires in July 2025 will now expire in October 2025.
What’s included?
Admission to any site operated by Parks Canada is free. This includes Parks Canada’s 171 national historic sites, 48 national parks, five national marine conservation areas, and one national urban park.
It also offers a 25 per cent discount on accommodation fees in all Parks Canada sites. This includes tent and RV camping, as well as stays in yurts, cabins, the backcountry, and other accommodations.
The pass does not include access to provincial, municipal, or private parks. And you’ll still have to pay for parking in Parks Canada sites.
For national museums and galleries, the Canada Strong Pass provides free admission for children 17 and under, and 50 per cent off admission for 18- to 24-year-olds. This includes access to Ottawa’s Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Canadian Museum of History, Canadian Museum of Nature, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Canadian War Museum, and the National Gallery of Canada. As well as Halifax’s Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Québec’s Plains of Abraham Museum, and Winnipeg’s Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
As for Via Rail, children under 17 can travel for free in economy with an accompanying adult. Just enter the code CANADAFAM when booking. And Anyone 18 to 24 gets 25 per cent off economy fares by using the discount code CANADA1824.
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