From June 19th to September 7th, the Canadian government is bringing back The Canada Strong Pass. Introduced last summer, this pass gives Canadian residents and visitors free access to Parks Canada, discounted Via Rail passages and reduced admission prices for museums and galleries across Canada.
The Canada Strong Pass came on the heels of Mark Carney’s election as Prime Minister. He ran on the platform of national sovereignty, economic independence, and climate action. The idea to promote Canadian travel was important to not only the economy, but to the welfare of Canadian citizens.
By promoting travel within Canada, the program helps stimulate local economies, specifically in small towns that rely heavily on tourism. Businesses in these towns such as restaurants, hotels, and museums benefit from the increase in foot traffic. This will only reinforce job creations and regional economic growth
“From museums and railroads to national parks and camping spots, our government is making it easier for families to choose Canada as they make their summer plans,” said Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Member of Parliament for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, Linda Lapointe, echoed the importance of encouraging Canadians to explore their own country.
“People don’t always know what’s happening in Canada,” Lapointe said. “If you offer them something different, they will enjoy it.”
Lapointe also noted that many Canadians tend to stay close to home when planning vacations.
“Many people never travel outside Quebec,” she said, adding that there are “so many places to visit in Ontario, the Maritimes, and the Rockies.”
The initiative also supports environmental goals that the Canadian government have put into place. By choosing to offer discounted Via Rail fares, this encourages Canadian travelers to use rail transportation. Providing a solid alternative lowers the economic impact compared to air travel.
Given its success last summer, the pass was revived during this past holiday season as well. It was active from December 12th, 2025, to January 15th, 2026, and served as an option for more affordable travel during the expensive holiday season. According to Canadian Heritage, there was a 6.5 percent increase in VIA Rail ridership, a 13 percent increase in visits to Parks Canada sites, an average of 15 percent increase in attendance at national museums, and an average of 6.3 percent increase in attendance at art galleries.
“We can be proud of Canada and proud to be Canadians. Following its success last year, we are bringing the Canada Strong Pass back to deliver real savings and make it easier for families to experience Canada’s parks, museums, railways and campsites,” said Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages.
Lapointe also highlighted the value of local tourism experiences, particularly in regions like the Lower Laurentians.
“Agro-tourism offers many places to visit – from apple orchards to local farms and markets,” she said. “Places like Saint-Eustache give people the opportunity to discover local history and agriculture.”
What are the benefits?
For starters, the Canada Strong Pass is not a physical pass. There is no physical or digital pass to present to acquire these savings, which makes it much easier and accessible for anyone looking to benefit.
The discounts only cover admissions, but there are some parks that might offer discounted tours. There are also no limits on how many times you use the pass, as long as it’s within the allotted time frame.
All national museums are offering free admission to anyone under 17 years old and 50% off for young adults aged 18 to 24. For Via Rail, the pass also offers free admission for children aged 17 and younger. From young adults aged 18-24, the discount is 25%, which can save them a lot of money in the long run.
Despite these incentives, awareness of the program remains limited. The North Shore News spoke to several residents who said they had never heard of the Canada Strong Pass prior to being asked about it. Others expressed skepticism, questioning whether the offer was legitimate or assuming it might be a scam when asked about their travel plans.
One person on Facebook even expressed concern that the questions were an attempt to determine when their home would be empty, suggesting it could be an elaborate scheme linked to a potential break-in. These reactions were quite off-putting, it seems as though people from the North Shore weren’t very trusting of government initiatives.
Another person from Blainville was not enticed at all. He stated that he “did not care” who the president of the United States was, and the benefits weren’t good enough. He would continue to take his yearly 3-week vacation down south, regardless of what was being said.
North American Competition?
Furthermore, the Canadian government has taken steps to lower travel costs for both residents and international visitors, positioning the Canada Strong Pass as a key incentive. By reintroducing the program, the country continues to distinguish itself from the United States.
As of January 1st, 2026, the United States have decided to up the costs for international visitors. The “America First” initiative put in place by President Donald Trump is one of the first changes to National Parks Service (NPS) in decades. The added cost dramatically alters the price of visiting some of the most beautiful parks in the United States.
Prior to the introduction of this initiative, the cost of visiting major national parks such as Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone was typically around $35 USD per vehicle. This fee applied to the entire car rather than to individual visitors, meaning the price remained the same whether there was a single occupant or a full group of up to six people. As a result, it was often a relatively affordable option for families or groups traveling together, since the cost could be shared among everyone in the vehicle.
As of the 1st of January, there is also an added $100 USD surcharge on every person entering the park. This means that if you’re a family of 4 going to the beautiful Yosemite park, you can be expected to pay $435 USD for your trip instead of $35! Converted to CAD, it comes out to a whopping $597.78. Not a very affordable vacation, that’s for sure.
The standard “America is Beautiful” pass now remains $85 USD for American citizens, but the price has more than tripled for international visitors to $250 USD.
These contrasting ideologies will surely encourage people to travel other parts of the world, especially if they do not feel welcomed in the United States.
