During AMPPE’s advocacy trip to Ottawa in October, we had the opportunity to discuss the Canada Strong Pass in depth with several federal departments. Following those conversations, AMPPE wishes to offer constructive advice on how the implementation of the Canada Strong Pass can be refined in the future, to better support the unique needs and operational realities of the Mountain National Parks, while advancing Canada’s nation-building objectives.
First we want to be clear that AMPPE appreciates the federal government’s recognition—through the Canada Strong Pass—that Canada’s national parks are central not only to the tourism industry but also to Canadians’ identity, pride, and well-being. National parks connect Canadians to their natural heritage, enable shared experiences, and strengthen national unity. By facilitating access to these iconic landscapes, the Canada Strong Pass can play a meaningful role in nation-building, reinforcing a sense of belonging and also bolstering Canada’s tourism sector.
Tourism in the Mountain National Parks generates millions in annual revenue, supports thousands of jobs, and—unlike extractive industries—does so while preserving these landscapes for future generations. Parks Canada manages a vast real-property portfolio of nearly 18,500 built assets, including highways, bridges, heritage structures, canals, visitor centres, water and wastewater systems, campgrounds, day-use areas, and operational buildings, valued in the tens of billions of dollars. This infrastructure is essential for safe, high-quality visitation.
Context and Key Considerations
1. Seasonality and Capacity- There is Room for Increased Visitation in Winter and Shoulder Seasons!
During summer and the Christmas holidays, visitation in the Mountain Parks consistently exceeds infrastructure capacity, putting pressure on transportation corridors, parking, day-use sites, and visitor services. The region has implemented a number of innovative solutions to manage congestion, but peak-season demand continues to challenge resources.
Winter and shoulder seasons, however, have substantial capacity for increased visitation. Encouraging travel during these periods would support local businesses, strengthen regional communities, and help distribute visitors more evenly throughout the year. Incentivizing peak-season travel without adequate capacity could degrade the visitor experience and compromise environmental protection goals.
2. Alignment with Destination Strategies
Parks Canada, Banff Lake Louise Tourism, Tourism Jasper, Improvement District 9, and the Town of Banff actively work to manage congestion through expanded people-moving systems—such as Roam Transit—traffic management services, and active transportation initiatives. Increased traffic resulting from free peak-season entry runs counter these efforts and undermines federal priorities related to sustainable mobility, climate-conscious tourism, and visitor safety.
3. Revenue and Economic Implications
Entry fees remain a critical source of revenue, reinvested in operations, infrastructure, public safety, and environmental stewardship. While the Canada Strong Pass presents opportunities to strengthen Canadian identity and pride, unnecessarily eliminating fees for international visitors reduces tourism export revenue and limits reinvestment in these essential services. Unfunded increases in visitation could place undue pressure on infrastructure and ecological systems, potentially compromising both visitor experience and the long-term sustainability of the parks.
4. Value of Enhanced Visitor Data
A pass-registration system would offer an opportunity to collect valuable information to guide operational planning and improve visitor services. Data on visitation patterns, origin, group size, and activity preferences would strengthen demand forecasting, staffing allocation, transportation planning, emergency preparedness, and visitor education—ensuring that Parks Canada can continue to deliver safe, high-quality experiences while preserving the parks for future generations.
AMPPE Recommendations
1. Limit the Canada Strong Pass to Canadian Residents
To maximize nation-building benefits and maintain operational sustainability, AMPPE recommends restricting the Canada Strong Pass to Canadian residents while maintaining regular fees for international visitors. This approach:
- Delivers program benefits directly to Canadians, enhancing national pride and identity
- Preserves some revenue for reinvestment in park operations and infrastructure
- Maintains tourism export value from international visitors
2. Apply the Pass Only During Low-Season and Shoulder Periods
To support year-round economic stability, reduce congestion, and strengthen community resilience, AMPPE recommends offering the pass during slower visitation periods. This strategy:
- Incentivizes travel in low-demand months, spreading visitation more evenly
- Supports consistent employment and business viability
- Reduces stress on peak-season infrastructure
- Enhances visitor experience and satisfaction
3. Require Online Registration for Pass Users
AMPPE recommends implementing mandatory online registration for all pass users. This would:
- Enable accurate forecasting of demand and visitor flows
- Strengthen shuttle, transportation, and staffing planning
- Support targeted visitor communications and trip-planning resources
- Enhance emergency preparedness and response
- Inform evidence-based infrastructure and mobility investments
Conclusion
The Canada Strong Pass offers an important opportunity to deepen Canadians’ engagement with national parks while advancing nation-building objectives—strengthening national identity, pride, and a sense of shared responsibility for Canada’s natural heritage. With thoughtful adjustments—particularly regarding eligibility, timing, and data collection—the program can also support sustainable tourism, reinforce regional economies, and maintain the ecological and operational integrity of the Mountain National Parks.
AMPPE looks forward to continued dialogue with the federal government to refine the program and ensure its successful, sustainable implementation for Canadians and the communities that rely on these iconic landscapes.