Evidence of meeting #37 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was parks.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada Agency
That's for the Canada Strong program in general. I don't have any information on that. It would be better to ask my Canadian Heritage colleagues.
As far as Parks Canada is concerned, the pass started being used before the holiday season so Quebeckers would have the opportunity to celebrate their national holiday in national parks.
Bloc
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
Can you tell us how much this measure cost in 2025?
If I understand correctly, the pass will once again be offered in 2026.
Is that correct?
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada Agency
Yes, that's right.
Mr. Francis can answer that question.
Andrew Francis Vice-President, Finance, and Chief Financial Officer, Parks Canada Agency
Last summer, the province was compensated for lost revenue.
Last year, the government compensated the agency in the supplementary estimates for that diminished revenue. For the summer, it was $72.5 million. That was for the free accommodation, and there was a 25% reduction on camping fees. That amount was to cover our reduced revenue there.
The Canada Strong pass was extended in December or early January—I'll call it the holiday and Christmas period—and we were compensated for $10.9 million of lost revenue during that season.
Bloc
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
Can you provide the committee with a document detailing how these $76 million or so are distributed in Canada?
When I visit a national park in the U.S., I'm told I have to pay more than an American would, because I'm Canadian. I'm trying to understand the logic.
Why would we give free access—which is the case, this is what I understand—to people from other countries visiting us in Canada? Can you explain that to me?
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada Agency
We're looking into whether something like that's possible. As part of the Destination Canada program, we recommended offering this discount to everyone. It's a Government of Canada policy.
Bloc
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
What you're saying is you have nothing to do with this. You don't have an opinion on the matter and you can't say whether it's a good idea or not.
Is that correct?
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada Agency
No, I don't have an opinion on that.
Bloc
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
Is there any documentation on all that, maybe an economic analysis?
Do we know how many foreign tourists take advantage of this pass in Canada's parks?
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada Agency
For parks, it's hard to know, because everything is now open.
Bloc
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
You have no idea how many passes are given to foreigners visiting Canada.
Is that correct?
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada Agency
For this program, no, we don't know.
Bloc
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada Agency
Yes, when we finish the study, we'll be able to send it to the committee.
Bloc
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
Okay.
Does Parks Canada keep statistics on the percentage of Canadian visitors and foreign visitors?
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada Agency
Yes, but not for the related period.
Bloc
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
I imagine you have some fairly recent figures.
Can you send them to us so we know how many visitors come from elsewhere?
Bloc
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
That's great. Thank you.
I don't understand your role.
Do you have a role to play in achieving the goal of 30% protected areas by 2030?
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada Agency
As an organization trying to meet that target for the government, yes, we have a target, a certain percentage.
Vice-President, Protected Areas Establishment and Conservation, Parks Canada Agency
For terrestrial areas, it's up to 3%, and for marine areas, it's up to 6%.
Bloc
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
Those are the numbers for Parks Canada.
Is that in your 2026-27 plan?
Do you have a plan until 2030?
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada Agency
Yes, we have a plan for each year and the various negotiations.