GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES FEE FREEZE AT NATIONAL PARKS AND NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES

May 09, 2009

Cranbrook, B.C.  May 9, 2009 – Jim Abbott, Member of Parliament for Kootenay Columbia,  today announced a fee freeze at Kootenay, Yoho, Galcier and Mt. Revelstoke Parks.This announcement echoes a national announcement made in Ottawa, by the Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, regarding a two-year fee freeze in all national parks and national historic sites managed by Parks Canada.
 
“Our region has magnificent natural and historic places that are dear to all Canadians and visitors to Canada,” said MP Abbott. “This fee freeze will help Kootenay residents cope with the current economic uncertainties while encouraging international vacationing visitors to come and stay longer .”
 
For individuals, the 2008 rates will stay in place until April 1, 2011. For the travel trade, the 2009 rates now in effect will be frozen until April 1, 2012. 
 
“Canada has some of the most magnificent and fascinating places to visit in the world,” said Minister Prentice. “In this time of global economic recession, our government is doing what it can to encourage Canadians to enjoy these places. For many families every dollar counts, so we have decided to freeze entry fees to Canada’s National Parks and Historic Sites for the next two years. “
 
At an event held in Ottawa, Minister Prentice also unveiled Parks Canada’s new national advertising campaign, which will air for five weeks on television and for eight weeks on the Internet.
 
“This campaign will invite Canadians to discover – and rediscover – their national parks and national historic sites, and encourage them to plan their vacations around the great facilities, services and exciting activities awaiting them throughout the country,” said the Minister.
 
Parks Canada is using several new tools this year including the Canadian Tourism Commission’s Explorer Quotient to develop exciting and expanded programs, activities such as improved camping services, geocaching, and new walking trails.
 
This fee freeze announcement follows the park's infrastructure spending announcement for Kootenay, Yoho, Glacier, Mt. Revelstoke two weeks ago.  Funding to date includes more than $8.5 million in iconic tourism areas and facilities in Kootenay, Yoho and Glacier national parks for pavement and guide rail repairs on Highway 93 South ($1 million) and for overlaying pavement in Sinclair Canyon in Kootenay National Park of Canada ($5 million); for building analysis and repairs to the Rogers Pass National Historic Site of Canada Discovery Centre in Glacier National Park of Canada ($1.77 million) and for a cost-shared washroom facility upgrade in the Field Visitor Reception Centre in Yoho National Park of Canada ($800,000).