Parks Canada announces fee adjustments for 2020 

From: Parks Canada

News release

Agency also launches public consultation on fees for optional value-added programs and services


January 15, 2019                     Ottawa, Ontario                             Parks Canada Agency

Canadians love to spend time in the outdoors, exploring nature and discovering our rich history. Parks Canada manages an extensive world-class system of protected natural and cultural heritage areas where Canadians, and people from around the globe, can go to experience the best that Canada has to offer. Parks Canada is committed to providing visitors with high-quality experiences.

Today, Parks Canada announced three updates to user fees, beginning in 2020. The first is a minor fee adjustment of 2.2% to Parks Canada fees, based on the Consumer Price Index and in accordance with the Government of Canada Service Fees Act. For example, Adult day passes will increase less than 40 cents; overnight full-service campsite admissions will increase less than 80 cents; annual Family/Group Discovery Pass will increase less than $3. Fees were last adjusted in 2008 and since then operational costs have increased significantly. These small adjustments will allow Parks Canada to offer visitors even better opportunities to connect with nature and learn about our environment and history.

Second, due to a significant increase in their visitor offer in recent years, and to align with Parks Canada’s national pricing model, admission fees at 24 national parks and historic sites will be adjusted, beginning January 1, 2020. Admission fees are based on the number of hours a visitor typically spends on-site and the level of service provided to visitors including the availability and variety of programs, services, and facilities. These adjustments reflect the current visitor offer provided by these places.

Visitor fees are reinvested in the parks and sites where they are collected and used to support programs, services, and facilities, and engage visitors in conservation efforts. Fees make up only about 20% of Parks Canada’s operating budget and never exceed the costs of delivering the service. Parks Canada is committed to ensuring that visitor experiences are affordable for all Canadians. The Agency is communicating these January 1, 2020 adjustments now to ensure that visitors and those that work in tourism can plan well in advance.

Finally, in order to ensure that Parks Canada always provides exceptional visitor experiences, the Agency has launched a public consultation on fees for optional value-added services and amenities like guided tours and programs, transit services, special event permits, golf, and access to hot springs. This feedback will help inform future pricing decisions to ensure a fair fee for services that offer a high-value benefit for visitors. It is important to note that fees for admission, lockage and mooring, accommodation, or businesses licenses will not be considered as part of this engagement process. Any changes resulting from this public engagement would not be implemented until 2021.

Canadians are encouraged to share their views online by February 15, 2019.

Quotes

“National parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas represent the very best that Canada has to offer and form important cornerstones for Canada’s tourism industry. It is incredibly important that we sustain the incredible ecological, cultural and economic value that our national parks and historic sites provide communities and Canadians. The fee adjustments and public engagement announced today will ensure that Parks Canada can continue to deliver exceptional visitor experiences and that Canadians can continue to enjoy and protect our national treasures for generations to come.”

Michael Nadler
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada

Quick facts

  • Parks Canada manages a nation-wide network of 171 national historic sites, 46 national parks, one national urban park, and four national marine conservation areas.

  • Parks Canada places are an important part of local economies, helping to generate over 4 billion dollars and indirectly employ over 40 thousand people annually.

  • Parks Canada's budget is 80% funded from Government tax-based appropriations and 20% from user fees. Tax dollars are primarily used to create and preserve national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas, as well as historic canals, since their protection benefits all Canadians. Visitors pay fees to help offset the costs of the services and facilities at Parks Canada’s places since they personally benefit from them.

  • Visitor fees are reinvested in the maintenance of visitor facilities and transportation infrastructure, development of on-site signage, maps and exhibits, delivery of visitor programs, visitor safety, and marketing, communication, and trip planning support for visitors.

  • The Government of Canada Service Fees Act was adopted in June 2017 to encourage greater flexibility, transparency, and cost-recovery for Federal Government service fees and ensure that personal benefit services are not over-subsidized. 

  • Admission to all Parks Canada places remains free for youth 17 and under in order to allow them to experience the outdoors and learn more about our environment and heritage.

  • There will be no changes to user fees in 2019.

Associated links

Contacts

Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.medias-media.pc@canada.ca

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