Calgarians delighted by news of free national park passes in 2017
原始发布日期： 2016-01-05 发布者：李方字变大 字变小
 The east entry gate into Banff National Park. Annual passes bought this year won't expire for two years. Gavin Young / Calgary Herald archives In an emailed statement, Parks Canada said it means any passes purchased this year are valid for two years. “As a first step towards celebrating Canada150, Discovery Passes for 2016 will be valid for 24 months, rather than 12 months,” wrote Parks Canada’s Natalie Fay. “All Parks Canada Discovery Passes purchased in 2016 will be valid for 24 months from the date of purchase. “The passes will incorporate the purchase of one year’s admission and free admission to Parks Canada places in 2017.” It means an annual pass bought today would be valid until January 2018, rather than January 2017. Or you can just wait until January 2017 and get a free pass for that year. Providing free entry into national parks in 2017 was first mentioned in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s mandate letter to Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna. “Make admission for all visitors to national parks free in 2017, the 150th anniversary of Confederation,” it states. The news came as a welcome bonus to social media users who’ve already bought their park passes for this year. “Who knew?” wrote Cheri Macaulay on Twitter. “If you get a Parks Canada annual pass now, it’s good until 2018. Because we all get in free in 2017 for Canada’s 150th!” Who knew? If you get a @ParksCanada annual pass now, it's good until 2018. Because we all get in free in 2017 for Canada's 150th! — Cheri Macaulay (@cheriyyc) January 4, 2016 Replied Calgarian Beth Allan: “I’m excited for my 2016 pass to expire in June now. Hahah!” Starting in 2018, according to the same mandate letter, Parks Canada could also make admission for children under 18 free and provide any adult who has become a Canadian citizen in the previous 12 months with a year’s free admission to the national parks. Parks Canada could also expand the Learn to Camp program, which helps low- and middle-income families experience the national parks. Fay’s statement said they are working closely with the federal government’s partners on other plans to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation. “Exact details on any new initiatives are still being determined and will be announced in due course,” she added. cderworiz@calgaryherald.com twitter.com/cderworiz Calgary Herald |