With U.S. trips on pause, Canadians may rediscover their own backyard — for free.
Mark Carney wants you to skip the border crossings this summer — and head into nature instead. The Liberal leader announced a bold new promise Monday: free access to all national parks and historic sites across Canada for the 2025 summer season.
It’s a pitch to both progressive voters and patriotic hearts, delivered while campaigning in British Columbia — a province rich in green votes and greener landscapes.
Why Now? Canadians Are Cancelling U.S. Travel Plans
This move isn’t just about tourism. It’s also about timing. A growing number of Canadians are cancelling travel to the United States, frustrated by ongoing trade tensions and sovereignty threats stemming from U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric.
According to Tourism Economics, travel from Canada to the U.S. is projected to drop by over 20% this year, a staggering shift that’s being felt on both sides of the border. The U.S. Travel Association warned earlier this year that a 10% drop alone could mean $2.1 billion in lost tourism dollars.
Carney’s Pitch: Parks, Protection & Progress
Campaigning in Saanichton, B.C., Carney spoke personally about his connection to Canada’s wilderness.
“Jasper National Park was like a second home when I was growing up,” he said. “I want every Canadian to have that opportunity — to create memories in our wild spaces.”
The promise isn’t just about waiving entrance fees. It’s part of a broader green vision that includes:
- Creating 10 new national parks and marine protected areas
- Adding 15 new urban parks
- Launching a $100 million water security technology fund
- Introducing legislation to ensure First Nations communities’ right to clean water
Nature as a National Priority
This isn’t the first time Canadians have enjoyed free access to parks. During Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017, the federal government dropped admission fees — a wildly popular move that drove record attendance. Youth under 18 already enter free year-round.
But this summer’s offer, if implemented, could serve as a powerful incentive for Canadians to explore domestically while reinforcing the Liberals’ environmental commitments.
What Will It Cost?
One big question remains: How much will this cost taxpayers?
While the Liberal Party hasn’t released specific financials, it’s clear that waiving fees means forgoing a steady revenue stream — even as maintenance and park services continue under Parks Canada’s oversight of 37 national parks, 11 reserves, and 171 historic sites.
Still, Carney is pushing forward with a vision of nature access for all, including a proposed Canadian Nature Protection Fund. This initiative would match private donations up to $250 million to support conservation and restoration projects.
Experts Weigh In: A Balancing Act Between Conservation and Growth
Stewart Elgie, clean economy expert at the University of Ottawa, praised the plan’s strong environmental commitments, especially in balancing resource development with conservation.
“It’s an impressive nature plan,” Elgie said. “And I give the Liberals high marks for their support of Indigenous stewardship and private-public funding models — especially in today’s tight fiscal environment.”
Final Take: Rediscovering Canada, One Trail at a Time
As travel shifts inward and political tensions rise across borders, Carney’s plan taps into something deeper: a call to reconnect with Canada’s roots, landscapes, and values.
Whether it’s a hike through Banff, a canoe in Kejimkujik, or a walk along the red sands of Prince Edward Island, this summer might just be the season where Canadians find that the best escapes are closer than they think — and this time, free of charge.
