Banff 
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that the Canada Strong Pass will return for the upcoming holiday season and again for summer 2026.
The initiative, first introduced in 2025, aims to make travel and cultural experiences more accessible for families, youth, and students by offering free or reduced-cost access to national sites and transportation.
The program will run from December 12, 2025, to January 15, 2026, and again throughout the summer of 2026. It provides Canadians with opportunities to visit national, provincial, and territorial museums, parks, and historic sites without added cost, and includes discounted VIA Rail fares for young travellers.
The Canada Strong Pass will continue to include free admission to Parks Canada’s national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas, along with a 25% reduction on camping fees. Children and teens aged 17 and under receive free access to national museums and the Plains of Abraham Museum, while those aged 18 to 24 get a 50% discount. The same age-based discounts apply to participating provincial and territorial museums and galleries.
VIA Rail offers free travel for children accompanied by an adult and a 25% discount for young adults. The pass does not require registration or purchase — visitors automatically receive the benefits when attending participating locations.
The summer 2025 rollout of the program led to a 15% increase in national museum attendance and over 50,000 VIA Rail bookings. Carney said the renewal supports affordability for families and students while encouraging Canadians to explore the country’s cultural and natural heritage.
The Canada Strong program has done more damage to our parks from overcrowding and abuse of the facilities, that it should be suspended. This was simply a Liberal “Vote Buying” tactic.
Where do we get the Canada Strong Pass for Via Rail if we live in Niagara Falls Ontario. And can we book for Quebec City through the holildays?