Parks Canada offers free admission throughout the year – but only for MIGRANTS

05/09/2024 / By Laura Harris

Parks Canada has announced a program providing newcomers and new Canadian citizens free admission to all of Canada’s national parks and historic sites throughout the year, while other Canadians continue to pay.

“Using the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s Canoo mobile app, enjoy free admission to all places administered by Parks Canada across the country for one full year. Visit one of Canada’s national historic sites, each telling a unique story to piece together the defining moments in the story of Canada,” Parks Canada posted on its official website.

“Get back to nature and unwind amidst the spectacular scenery in Canada’s national parks and marine conservation areas. Celebrate your arrival in Canada or your citizenship with great Canadian experiences. Check out some of the most awesome places in Canada. We look forward to welcoming you!”

The initiative, titled “Free Admission for Newcomers to Canada and New Canadian Citizens,” applies to all parks in Canada from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador. The initiative places no restrictions on the number of visits or the duration of the free access. (Related: Canadian government plans to accept more refugees from Gaza amid record-high immigration and food bank dependency.)

“Admission to all national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas operated by Parks Canada will be provided free of charge,” Parks Canada wrote.

However, the initiative clearly states that the free admission only applies to newcomers and new Canadian citizens.

In other words, other Canadian residents will still be charged the full price of CA$151.25 ($110.33) for a season pass for families of up to seven members or CA$75.25 ($54.89) for an individual pass. These passes are also valid only on federally-owned parks and does not cover visits to certain sites. For example, a day visit to Banff National Park, an iconic destination in Alberta and Canada’s oldest national park, still costs CA$11 ($8.2).

Federal government sparks outrage for giving newcomers free access to Canada’s parks

News of the new initiative limited to migrants and new citizens sparked outrage from Canadians who took to social media to express their discontent.

Some questioned why all citizens don’t receive free admission, arguing that they, too, contribute through taxes and should benefit equally from the country’s natural treasures.

“Why do we even pay taxes? What is the benefit to living in Canada?” an Instagram user asked.

Meanwhile, others suggest that such free admission for migrants is unfair to retired citizens, who have also contributed to the upkeep of the parks throughout their working lives but are not included in the free admission policy.

“So wrong. Why don’t retired people get free passes? They paid for the parks most of their working lives.”

“So we pay taxes to benefit immigrants, not the citizens who live and work here and pay the taxes,” another Instagram user said. “What a backwards country.”

Some mocked the identity of Canada as a welcoming nation. “Welcome to Canada, home to everyone but Canadians.”

Watch this Fox News report on a recent chaotic episode at the U.S.-Canada border involving a “fiery” vehicle explosion.

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