EDITORIAL: Revision for Canada Strong Pass needed

Breathe a sigh of relief, Bow Valley, it's coming to an end. Monday (Sept. 7) is the final day of the Canada Strong Pass, the free admission to national parks across Canada endeavour as well as discounted prices on camping, museum entries, and VIA Rail trips. In what will surely go down as another year of impressive headline stats, bustling record visitation numbers and hundreds upon hundreds of wildlife road jams, the Outlook wonders, like many others, was it necessary? The Canada Strong Pass is to promote tourism, allowing access to Canadian heritage and cultural sites and programming, while benefiting the average person's wallet and making life-long memories along the way. It also allowed for more Indigenous-led programming, honouring truth and reconciliation. The intention of the pass is in the right place; however, its implementation during peak summer season shows there is room for improvement if it, or something similar, returns – especially in Banff National Park. Additional strain on residents, wildlife and the environment, as well as guests experiencing an overcrowded atmosphere, isn't exactly a reputation-booster. Let's rewind a bit. In 2025, Banff National Park welcomed a record 4.5 million visitors, up from 4.2 million in 2024. There was a nine per cent increase for visitation during the summer months, which had a daily attendance of 25,893 during peak season (July-August). Record visitation that year is partially due to free admission to national parks, starting June 19 and running throughout the summer following Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal party officially coming into office. Then on Dec. 12, free admission ran again to mid-January 2026. Banff National Park, which is nestled in the Bow Valley, is a unique place that has it's own set of challenges for residents and guests from traffic congestion, overcrowding and job postings that go unanswered, among others. This summer, the labour crunch was in full effect, with some local employers adjusting business hours or service offerings due to staffing shortages. While over at Parks Canada, the federal agency steward of national parks, job cuts were made throughout the organization, including in Banff and Lake Louise. In other words, the area's workforce was doing more with less as similar record-breaking numbers of visitors came to the area. Another unfortunate reality is that, in many cases, much of the wage many seasonal workers earn is being gobbled up by the gnarly rental market. While Canadians and visitors should have the opportunity to experience the wonders of a national park, particularly Banff, free admission during peak season isn't the answer. In fact, it's far from it. Should the Canada Strong Pass continue, what are considered 'shoulder seasons', like fall or spring, would be better suited for it when businesses could actually use the foot traffic that free access brings. When thinking of a visitor or family who was able to experience a national park and make life-long memories because something like the Canada Strong Pass prompted them to visit Canada's natural wonders, that's a positive. But there is a responsibility if it moves forward to be done thoughtfully and sustainably.