Parks Canada kicks off Canada 150 celebrations in the National Historical Sites in the Greater Montreal

June 13, 2017                                 Montreal, Quebec                         Parks Canada Agency

Starting on June 17th, the National Historic Sites in the Greater Montreal region Site will begin welcoming visitors for the 2017 season.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Government is very pleased to offer free admission to all Parks Canada places in 2017. The FREE Parks Canada 2017 Discovery Pass provides unlimited opportunities to enjoy national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas across the country.

Canada’s historic sites will play a big part in the celebration of Canada 150. Regarding the National Historic Sites located in the Greater Montreal Region, a wide variety of programs is offered to the visitors once again this year. Some of the highlights include the following:

· On July 1st, all of the National Historic Sites will mark Canada Day with entertainment and cake tastings. At the Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site, a historical re-enactment, fireworks and a musical performance will be added to those programs.

· The 8th of July will mark the Centennial of Canada’s National Historic Sites. In the Greater Montreal region, celebrations will take place on July 8 and 9 juillet and will include: family picnics at the Coteau-du-Lac and the Battle of the Châteauguay National Historic Sites, an old-time gardening workshop at the Sir Wilfrid Laurier site, and a historical chocolate tasting at the Sir George-Étienne Cartier site.

· On August 13h, there will be a Village Festival at Sir Wilfrid Laurier National Historic Site.

· On August 19th, a historical re-enactment of a country market at Coteau-du-Lac will take place.

· Every weekend in August, to celebrate Archaeology Month, a range of special activities will take place at the Coteau-du-Lac and the Battle of the Châteauguay National Historic Sites.

New this year! Launching on July 1st of the exhibition at the Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site entitled Imagine a country/Rêver un pays. This hands-on exhibition invites visitors to dream up and share how they imagine the ideal country.

For more details on offered experiences and hours of operation, visitors are encouraged to plan their visit ahead of time through the Parks Canada’s website to ensure the best possible experience.

The FREE Parks Canada 2017 Discovery Pass is available from the Parks Canada Website as well as at Parks Canada entry gates and visitor centres. Partners such as Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) and CIBC will also be distributing passes for Parks Canada.

Please note that only admission is free for 2017. There are fees for enhanced interpretative programs.