The new Canada Strong pass was unveiled last week, providing Canadians and visitors alike with free access to national parks and historic sites this summer, plus great deals on national museums and significant VIA RAIL discounts. I did a series of interviews on the pass last Thursday for CBC radio stations across the country, talking about how the pass works and whether it’s a good idea. Here’s a synopsis. How exactly does this pass work, and where? I think the most obvious deal for people when they first hear about this is that all Canadian national parks are free until Read more
Canadian National Parks
The Canadian government is making national parks free this summer for all visitors, as well as providing free admission to national museums, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites administered by Parks Canada. Ottawa also is making it easier to see the country by train, with free travel on VIA Rail for kids aged 17 and under if accompanied by an adult, and a 25% discount for those aged 18 to 24. On top of that, the government is providing a 25% discount on camping fees for Parks Canada properties. “This summer, Canadians can enjoy the very best Canada Read more
This is a remarkably diverse country we have here in Canada; with wide oceans and pristine mountain lakes and a rich cultural heritage. Here’s a list of some great activities and sights you can find across the country this summer. WATERTON LAKES N.P., ALBERTA This province is justifiably famous for its brilliant national parks, the best known being Banff and Jasper. They’re both awesome, but also can be packed with tourists. Authorities were turning folks away from Lake Louise in recent days, insisting that only folks with hotel reservations could use the crowded roads. Less crowded but just as striking Read more
Canadians are increasingly worried about inflation impacting their travel budget. But you don’t need to fly halfway around the world to find great places to explore. Here are 11 great spots to check out in Canada for Canada Day, or later this summer. I haven’t been to the Northwest Territories or Nunavut, but I’ve managed to see a great deal of Canada. Here are some great places to go this summer. SASKATCHEWAN Located on a large, pretty lake north of the city, Regina Beach is one of those quintessential North American beach spots that somehow feels like something out of Read more
This is encouraging. The Canadian government today issued a new tourism strategy that talks about new ways of getting more tourists out of the big cities and into other great areas of this wonderful country of ours. They also want to boost numbers in slower seasons, when hotels, attractions and restaurants could surely use the boost. I want to see how the funding develops, but the mere fact a federal Cabinet minister is actually talking about new funding for tourism is great news, as that’s seldom been the case in this country in my experience. Canada’s tourism numbers grew 1.2% Read more
