July 1, 2025

I’m really liking the new feeling I’m getting from Ottawa lately and the Canada Strong Pass is certainly a part of that. Vacations are special. People are very willing to spend money on their vacations and there’s a big impact from where that money gets spent – here, or in some other country. At the start of June, our Government launched the Canada Strong Pass. Canadians can enjoy free or discounted admission to various Government controlled parks and attractions as they make Canada their travel destination this summer, from June 20 to September 2, 2025 (inclusively). The Canada Strong Pass celebrates what unites us—our shared experiences, natural wonders, and cultural richness.

The Canada Strong Pass is not a physical pass that you need to purchase, sign up for, or collect. Simply visit any participating Parks Canada site, museum, gallery, or VIA Rail to benefit from free admissions or discounts. By keeping Canadians (and their vacation money) here at home this summer, boating is sure to benefit, this summer and in future years too.

Even for those who do not actually go to the Trent Severn or Rideau waterways, the Canada Strong Pass makes the whole idea of vacationing here, more attractive. With the inadvertent help of the Trump administration and their many threatening or negative public statements, I expect more Canadians will be spending their vacations here and that will benefit our industry as well as many other domestic tourism businesses.

Of course, there are limitations but it’s all spelled out very clearly on their website at https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-pass/about.html

The Canada Strong Pass is an unexpected new program and I think it will be very successful, bringing increased business to the marine industry nation-wide. I hope you are staffed and stocked to take advantage of the opportunity.

It’s especially important this Canada Day that we get on the bandwagon with this new Canada Strong momentum. I believe it’s an opportunity not to be missed.

From all of us here at Canadian Boating magazine, Canadian Boating Onboard Digest and Boating Industry Canada News Week Digest, we wish you a Happy Canada Day and a record-breaking summer in 2025!

Andy Adams – Editor