Free summer admission to Canada's national parks and historic sites
Parks Canada
.
The pass also includes a 25 per cent discount on camping fees.
The program, which runs until Sept. 2, follows up on a Liberal campaign promise to promote Canadian tourism in response to the United States' tariff war.
The pass also covers free national museum admission for children 17 and under, and a 50 per cent discount for 18- to 24 year-olds.
Via Rail is also offering free fares for children 17 and under if they are accompanied by an adult, and a 25 per cent discount for travellers 18 to 24 years old.
There is no physical 'Canada Strong Pass' or registration required — visitors can just show up at participating locations.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Province
3 hours ago
- The Province
U.S. may change or get rid of liquid limit for carry-ons, U.S. Homeland Security secretary says
Canadian authorities could follow suit if the U.S. were to ease up on liquid restrictions A TSA employee advises travellers that liquids are not allowed through the gate at at the Los Angeles International Airport on Oct. 10, 2012. Photo by Damian Dovarganes / AP Photo The days of cramming travel-sized shampoo bottles into plastic bags could soon be over. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hinted that the longstanding liquid restrictions for carry-on luggage could be lifted. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors During a conference hosted by The Hill in Washington, Noem said on July 16 that she was 'questioning everything TSA (Transportation Security Administration) does' and hinted at potential revisions to the rules governing liquids in carry-on bags. 'The liquids, I'm questioning. So that may be the next big announcement, is what size your liquids need to be,' Noem said at the conference. Her comments come about a week after she announced that passengers are no longer required to remove their shoes during regular TSA security checks, a change that went into effect immediately. Here's what you need to know about Noem's comments about liquid restrictions in carry-on luggage and why the rule was implemented in the first place. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In 2006, authorities foiled a plan to use liquid explosives smuggled aboard carry-on luggage to blow up planes. After the incident, the TSA banned all liquids in carry-on luggage. However, this ban was lifted after six weeks as it strained airline baggage systems, as more people were checking bags. The FBI, along with other laboratories, found that a tiny amount of substances, those being small enough to fit into a quart-sized bag, could not blow up a plane. After that, the 3.4-ounce limit — or 3-1-1 rule — came into effect. The rule stated that each container of liquid, gel or aerosol — whether it's water, shampoo or hairspray — must be 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, all containers must fit into one quart-sized (one-litre) clear zip-top bag, and only one bag is allowed per passenger. Since then, TSA checkpoints have borne the familiar rituals of chugging water and tossing oversized containers, and fights over what's considered a liquid or not. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After the restrictions were introduced in the U.S., other countries quickly followed suit with similar rules. What does this mean for U.S. travellers? For now, it is unclear how or when any changes to the liquid restrictions might take effect. Noem has not provided details on what a new policy could look like, whether that means lifting the size limit entirely, or just expanding it. Until then, passengers should expect to keep following the existing 3-1-1 rule. Why is the U.S. considering changing this policy? The TSA has been exploring changes to its liquid rules for years, but with recent advancements in technology, it seems more possible than ever. Advanced computed tomography (CT) scanners are now being installed at security checkpoints across U.S. airports. These scanners generate detailed 3D images of the contents of carry-on bags and can automatically detect potential security threats, making it possible to carry bigger sized liquids through security. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Currently, U.S. travellers will still need to abide by existing TSA liquid restrictions, but with these advancements in technology, and the U.S. willing to change their approach, travellers may soon find themselves packing a little more freely. 'Hopefully, the future of an airport, where I'm looking to go is that you walk in the door with your carry-on suitcase, you walk through a scanner and go right to your plane,' Noem said at the conference. 'It takes you one minute.' What could this mean for Canada? If the U.S. moves ahead with easing or eliminating its liquid restrictions, Canada may not be far behind. While Canadian travellers have not been required to remove their shoes for domestic or non-U.S. flights, those flying to the United States through pre-clearance areas have followed TSA protocols, including removing their shoes. Earlier this month, however, Canada aligned with the U.S. and dropped that requirement. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This quick alignment suggests Canadian authorities could follow suit if the U.S. were to ease up on liquid restrictions. So far, there has been no official word from Canadian authorities on whether such changes are being considered. What are other countries doing? In the United Kingdom, several regional airports, including London City and Edinburgh, have begun lifting liquid restrictions, thanks to the rollout of advanced CT scanners. The new technology allows passengers to keep liquids and electronics in their bags during screening and permits containers of up to two litres. Similar changes are underway elsewhere. At Qatar's Hamad International Airport, select security lanes now let travellers leave liquids and laptops in their bags. This has also been made possible by upgraded CT scanning systems. In South Korea, major airports, such as Incheon and Jeju, are piloting the same technology on domestic routes, with plans to expand it more broadly in the future. Read More Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Vancouver Canucks Crime News News Celebrity
Toronto Sun
6 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
EDITORIAL: Competition is key to lower flight costs
A passenger jet at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Photo by David Kawai / Bloomberg Canada should open up its skies to competition from foreign airlines to improve service and reduce fares, says the Fraser Institute. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Quoting from a report by the federal Competition Bureau, the report's authors, Jake Fuss and Alex Whalen, say government policies are to blame for the lack of competition among airlines. The federal government prohibits foreign airlines from operating domestic routes in Canada: 'A German airline, such as Lufthansa, is permitted to fly from Frankfurt to Toronto but is barred from flying passengers from Toronto to another Canadian city. The result? There's little competitive pressure for Canadian airlines to lower their prices for domestic air travel.' Contrast that with the European Union (EU). After the EU removed restrictions, it allowed carriers from all EU countries to operate in all EU states. 'Low-cost carriers such as Ryanair entered the market, flight frequencies increased and airfares dropped 34%,' said the report. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. An earlier Fraser Institute report suggested the federal government should negotiate reciprocal deals with other countries, to allow foreign airlines to operate within Canada, in exchange for allowing Canadian airlines to operate in those countries: 'A win-win for Canadian consumers and Canadian airlines,' the report says. This may require airlines such as Air Canada to pull up their socks when it comes to service. Canada's national airline was rated only 19th in the Skytrax World Airline Awards in 2025, up from 29th in 2024. While it was rated the best North American airline on that scale, it still has a long way to go to meet international standards. The Fraser Institute reports that high airport taxes and high rents are responsible for the add-on costs Canadians face when they fly. The government owns the land most large airports sit on and charges the not-for-profit airport authorities high rents — as much as 12% of airport revenues. 'In 2023, the government received $487 million in rent charges from airports. In response, the airports levy fees on passengers to recoup these costs,' said the report. Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised to find ways to cut regulations and boost business between provinces. What better way than to cut the costs of airfares, so Canadians can visit their own country without going broke? Toronto & GTA Editorial Cartoons Toronto & GTA Toronto Blue Jays World
CBC
13 hours ago
- CBC
Caution advised as hungry bears look for buffaloberries in Bow Valley
Bear in mind that berry season has begun, experts say. As buffaloberries ripen throughout the Bow Valley, visitors to popular areas in the mountains are being advised to watch out for bears. Buffaloberries, which are critical to a bear's diet in the Rocky Mountains, grow throughout Banff National Park and Kananaskis — including near trails, campsites and other areas frequented by people. "We've already started to see some ripening berries, and that's an extremely important food source for our local bears," Parks Canada resource management officer Dan Rafla told CBC News. "It's probably one of the most, if not the most, important sources of food for both grizzly bears and black bears in this area." WATCH | Bears are now on the lookout for berries: Buffaloberry season: beware of bears while in the mountains 9 days ago Banff National Park is advising people to keep an eye out for bears because it's buffaloberry season in many areas. The berries are an important food source for bears. He said bears will be "highly focused" on eating the tiny berries, which are high in sugar and nutrition. Now that both bear species' mating seasons have largely ended, their priorities shift to eating as they prepare for hibernation. Even though it's months away, because bears spend around half the year dormant, it helps to get an early start on bulking up for the winter. "Bears are somewhat in a race to put on enough fat and reserves to survive the winter," Rafla said. "They'll get more intense as the season gets on to the point where they're feeding 20 hours a day." Other naturally-occurring options for Bow Valley and Banff National Park bears in the summer include chokecherries and huckleberries, but they don't compare to the abundance of buffaloberries. The Rockies "aren't the most productive landscape for bears" in terms of food availability, Rafla said. But the area looks like it has a good crop of buffaloberries this year, Rafla said. Buffaloberries have been seen a little early this year, likely due to warm temperatures in the valley bottom. That's good news after recent years saw poor berry growth in the Rockies, which can cause problems. "Sometimes we'll see a little bit more conflict and maybe desperation from a bear to seek out those food sources," he said. Be bear aware Seasonal trail restrictions in parts of Banff National Park are designed to minimize human-bear interactions during berry season, particularly in areas grizzly bears are known to frequent. Those restrictions, which include requiring hikers to remain close together in groups of at least four adults, in addition to requiring bear spray and not permitting dogs, apply to Allenby Pass and part of the Lake Minnewanka area. The Lake Minnewanka restrictions are in place July 10 to September 15 every year, while the Allenby Pass restrictions run August 1 to September 30. Nick de Ruyter, program director of the BioSphere Institute's WildSmart program, said bears are likely to be distracted and not paying attention to their surroundings while they feed on buffaloberries. He said it's important visitors avoid doing anything that could surprise or provoke the animals. "We really need to be making lots of noise so we don't surprise them while they're feeding, and even when we do make noise, they might still not be paying attention because they're so focused on eating," he said. "They really, really need that food, and they will be very focused on getting that food, and that's the only thing on their mind." Berries grow easily in places with human disturbance due to better access to sunlight, de Ruyter said, adding it's important to remember this when buffaloberries frequently grow along trails and near parks, campsites, picnic areas and other popular places. "If you see a bear feeding along the trail, don't try and sneak past it. Wait or find another way around, and just give them that space that they need to feed," he said. Carrying bear spray is important, but it should only be used for defence and not to remove a bear harmlessly feeding in a hiker's way, de Ruyter said. He added anyone who sees a bear feeding on the side of the road should not pull over or get out of their car, potentially creating a bear jam. "I know it's hard to do, because people like seeing bears, but we really have to give them the space to feed, and basically thrive and survive," de Ruyter said. Buffaloberries are typically ripe from mid-July to September, according to Parks Canada. To avoid attracting bears in search of berries, the towns of Banff and Canmore offer financial incentive programs for property owners to remove fruit trees.
