Parks Canada celebrates successful Canada 150 season at Red Bay National Historic Site

More Canadians than ever before enjoyed amazing experiences at Parks Canada places in 2017

October 23, 2017                                Red Bay, NL                          Parks Canada Agency

National parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas represent the very best that Canada has to offer and tell stories of who we are, including the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government of Canada offered free admission for all visitors to Parks Canada places, to encourage Canadians to experience their rich history and heritage in a special way. Parks Canada is pleased to have welcomed more visitors to our treasured places than ever before, and to have played an important role in the celebration of Canada 150.

This year was the busiest year ever for Red Bay National Historic Site. Visitors from all over the world came to the coast of Labrador to learn about the Basque whaling operations which took place in Red Bay. This UNESCO World Heritage site saw over 12,000 visitors in one season for the first time. There was an 18% increase in the number of visitors from 2016 to 2017.

As part of an initiative to create open lines of communication between Parks Canada and the Innu Nation in Labrador, Jodie Ashini, a representative of the Innu Guardians group in Sheshatshui, Labrador, joined Parks Canada in Red Bay on July 17 to welcome the Canada C3 expedition and take part in site orientation activities.

Visitor facilities at Red Bay National Historic Site are now closed for the season.

The Government is committed to preserving our national parks, national historic sites, and marine conservation areas while making them more accessible so that Canadians, including youth and newcomers, can experience the outdoors and learn about our environment. Parks Canada continues to ensure the best possible visitor experience for people coming to our places, and has effectively managed 2017’s increased visitation.

To help visitors plan their experiences, Parks Canada launched a mobile app earlier this season. The app is incredibly popular and, to date, there have been over 150,000 downloads. The Parks Canada Mobile App is a great planning tool which offers up-to-date information and resources to help visitors plan their visit and discover breathtaking locations, including a list of hidden gems, and other unique and memorable experiences at national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas.