Free Entry - Canada Parks 150th Anniversary

[campforums]

For anyone who is interested in doing some camping at any time within the next year, this is an amazing deal for you. To celebrate the 150th anniversary Canada parks is offering free unlimited access for 2017 if you order one of these cards!

For all of 2017 this pass gives you unlimited opportunities to enjoy National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites across the country!

Please note:

• You only need to order one pass for your group or family if you are all travelling together. A 2017 Discovery Pass is valid for everyone arriving in the same vehicle at a national park, or arriving together at a marine conservation area or historic site.
• The Discovery Pass is only accepted at national historic sites which are operated by Parks Canada.
• Activities such as tours or parking that normally carry a separate fee may not be covered by the Discovery Pass.
• Camping fees are not included with the Discovery Pass
• Validity Period: January 1st 2017 to December 31st 2017.
• Display: The 2017 Discovery Pass must be hung from the rear view mirror of the vehicle facing forward or it can be placed on the front driver side dashboard facing up.

http://www.commandesparcs-parksorders.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?urlRequestType=Base&catalogId=53407&categoryId=216870&productId=524527&errorViewName=ProductDisplayErrorView&urlLangId=-1&langId=-1&top_category=216870&parent_category_rn=216870&storeId=22953

 

[campforums]

I just received mine today

 

[Northern Dancer]

I just received mine today

View attachment 2290

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I got's mine too! I'm planning to hit Georgian Bay as a start. ---- >
The home of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake: Ontario's only venomous species, these are small snakes (to about 70 cm) with large dark blotches down the back and smaller blotches on the sides. Dunno - what are the chances?

 

[campforums]

I came across this article the other day and I can't say that I agree with the guy they quoted.

Conservationists concerned about free entry to Canada’s national parks in 2017

Ben Gadd, a retired nature guide and author of “Handbook of the Canadian Rockies,” said he is worried about increased vehicle traffic.

“Clearly the highway system in the mountain parks — it is going to be terrible next summer all summer long,” said Gadd, who has been hiking in the region since 1968.

“When you have that situation and animals trying to cross there are going to be more accidents, more animals killed.”

Gadd said he is also concerned about crowded attractions, trash and people feeding or getting too close to wildlife.

In my opinion the more people using the parks the better. This guy sounds grumpy. I am sure the more popular areas are going to be crowded and maybe not very pleasant if you are looking for peace and quiet but rural Canada is a massive place and I don't think there is any shortage of space to go camping.

 

[killeroy154]

Here is my opinion, for what it is worth. Of the people that received the free passes 15% of them will never use them. I think most of them mean well and dream or plan on going, but never make it. The other 85 percent, I think 70% of them would have purchased passes anyhow. The other 30% of that 85% percent ( getting confusing now ain't it) will maybe make one trip to the parks. These are just my theories of course. So the parks may have a 10 to 15% increase of visitation.

Now I think it was a great financial move for Canada to do this and here are my thoughts why. There will be an increase in sales of outdoor goods such as tents, hiking shoes, trekking poles, outdoor clothing, fishing gear, canoes and etc. Not all of these items are ever going to get used, but this will generate more tax revenue, and not to mention the increase business for hotels, restaurants and other local businesses which may result in more jobs.

I remember when a topic came up about a city giving tax money to a privately owned business to help with the cost of a football stadium construction. I didn't like it because I figured they were a private business and they were going to charge a lot of money for a game ticket and tax payers won't be able to go for free or even a discounted price. But what this did do on a game weekend was, filled up hotels, restaurants, malls, and all kinds of local merchants profited along with tax money collected.

I'll bet the Canadian government is going to track this very closely to determine whether is was a good trade off between the loss of money from the sales of park admission versus the up swing of the economy. This may increase park jobs, wildlife programs and the overall liveliness and sustainability of your parks. Here in the states I always worry that, because of greed, private business will get their foot in the door and get the opportunity to strip our national parks of their natural resources for their profit.

I say Kodos to Canada! You all may have started a benificial model for all.

 

[Northern Dancer]

I came across this article the other day and I can't say that I agree with the guy they quoted.

Conservationists concerned about free entry to Canada’s national parks in 2017



In my opinion the more people using the parks the better. This guy sounds grumpy. I am sure the more popular areas are going to be crowded and maybe not very pleasant if you are looking for peace and quiet but rural Canada is a massive place and I don't think there is any shortage of space to go camping.

------------------------ >
....the reality is that highway 60 has done considerable damage to Algonquin Park - well documented and proven. But it is true we have magnificent lands that startle and mesmerize people from heavily populated areas of Europe and England. To think...you can travel for days across the beautiful lakes without seeing anyone or putting up with human noise. Luvs it!

 

[Northern Dancer]

Here is my opinion, for what it is worth. Of the people that received the free passes 15% of them will never use them. I think most of them mean well and dream or plan on going, but never make it. The other 85 percent, I think 70% of them would have purchased passes anyhow. The other 30% of that 85% percent ( getting confusing now ain't it) will maybe make one trip to the parks. These are just my theories of course. So the parks may have a 10 to 15% increase of visitation.

Now I think it was a great financial move for Canada to do this and here are my thoughts why. There will be an increase in sales of outdoor goods such as tents, hiking shoes, trekking poles, outdoor clothing, fishing gear, canoes and etc. Not all of these items are ever going to get used, but this will generate more tax revenue, and not to mention the increase business for hotels, restaurants and other local businesses which may result in more jobs.

I remember when a topic came up about a city giving tax money to a privately owned business to help with the cost of a football stadium construction. I didn't like it because I figured they were a private business and they were going to charge a lot of money for a game ticket and tax payers won't be able to go for free or even a discounted price. But what this did do on a game weekend was, filled up hotels, restaurants, malls, and all kinds of local merchants profited along with tax money collected.

I'll bet the Canadian government is going to track this very closely to determine whether is was a good trade off between the loss of money from the sales of park admission versus the up swing of the economy. This may increase park jobs, wildlife programs and the overall liveliness and sustainability of your parks. Here in the states I always worry that, because of greed, private business will get their foot in the door and get the opportunity to strip our national parks of their natural resources for their profit.

I say Kodos to Canada! You all may have started a benificial model for all.

-------------------------------- >

Funny that you should say that - I was sort of thinking the same. BUT, this Nation has done some remarkable things and has awed the world.

 

[killeroy154]

This is what I feared would happen

 

[Northern Dancer]

Have fun with this one ------------------ >

...our public land is called Crown Land. Crown land, also known as royal domain or demesne, is a territorial area belonging to the monarch, who personifies the Crown. It is the equivalent of an entailed estate and passes with the monarchy, being inseparable from it. Today, in Commonwealth realms such as Canada and Australia, crown land is considered public land and is apart from the monarch's private estate.