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a day ago
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- CBC
National park pressure; Sin city seeing fewer Canadians during slump: CBC's Marketplace cheat sheet
Miss something this week? Don't panic. CBC's Marketplace rounds up the consumer and health news you need. Want this in your inbox? Get the Marketplace newsletter every Friday. Canada's national parks are free for everyone this summer. Should they be? Lorne and Riza McVicar of Halifax were excited to take advantage of the federal government's much-touted Canada Strong Pass. It includes automatic free admission to Canada's national parks and a 25 per cent discount on campsites from June 20 to Sept. 2. The pass has been billed as a way for Canadians to more easily explore their own country. But Lorne McVicar says it has actually made it more difficult for the couple to vacation in Canada — and he questions why the program is open to everyone, including international tourists. In June, he says, the couple tried to reserve a camping site for several days in July at New Brunswick's Fundy National Park, but it was completely booked that month. So was Newfoundland and Labrador's Gros Morne National Park. "I anticipated with the Canada Strong Pass, there'd be a higher demand for these campsites, but I didn't anticipate that it would be such a demand that everything was sold out," said McVicar. Parks Canada told CBC News it won't have attendance data until the end of the season, although it expects high volumes to continue this year. But one thing is already clear: The Canada Strong Pass has helped draw an influx of visitors to the country's most popular parks, sparking concerns about overcapacity. from CBC's Sophia Harris. Las Vegas is hurting as tourism drops. Are Canadians behind the Sin City slump? After doing gangbuster business in the post-COVID era, Las Vegas is in the midst of a slump, with the number of tourists down sharply as Canadians in particular avoid Sin City amid bilateral bad blood over trade. The total number of visitors is off more than 11 per cent year-over-year, according to data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, one of the most dramatic declines in recent memory outside of the pandemic. Airline figures reveal there's been an even steeper decline among Canadians going to the desert gambling mecca. The number of Air Canada passengers dropped by 33 per cent in June compared to the same month last year, airport figures show. WestJet, the largest Canadian air carrier at the region's Harry Reid International Airport, saw a similar 31 per cent drop. The decline was even more dramatic for low-cost carrier Flair, which saw its passenger numbers fall by a stunning 62 per cent. Some U.S. travellers are also avoiding the self-described entertainment capital of the world — due, in part, to a backlash over higher fees and fewer perks for some gamblers. But resort operators say the Canadian boycott has been a notable hit to the bottom line. from CBC's John Paul Tasker. $7,080 to insure a Honda Civic? Welcome to Alberta auto insurance in 2025 Wali Hassan is 21 years old and has been driving for as long as he's been legally able in Alberta — he got his learner's permit at 14 and full licence when he turned 16. Now, as an adult with a newly financed vehicle, he's required by the terms of his financing to get full insurance, including collision and comprehensive coverage. He said he shopped around with four providers and ultimately went with the cheapest option he could find: $590 per month in premiums, totalling $7,080 for the year. "You would expect I'm driving a Lamborghini, but it's a Honda Civic," said Hassan, an Edmonton resident. The 2018 Honda Civic is the first vehicle he's insured, so he expected to pay more than long-insured drivers. But Hassan figured his driving history, with no traffic tickets or licence suspensions, would have counted for more in his favour. But he said the quotes he received were "absurd" — one was as high as $880 per month — so he ultimately went with the cheapest policy he could find, which comes with a $2,500 deductible. "So I'm just hoping I don't get into any accidents because, if I do, then my life is pretty much over," he said. Experiences like this are becoming more common in Alberta, according to the provincial auto insurance rate regulator, which anticipates things will get worse before they get better. from CBC's Robson Fletcher. What else is going on? Marketplace needs your help!
4 days ago
Canada's national parks are free for everyone this summer. Should they be?
Lorne and Riza McVicar of Halifax were excited to take advantage of the federal government's much-touted Canada Strong Pass (new window) . It includes automatic free admission to Canada's national parks and a 25 per cent discount on campsites from June 20 to Sept. 2. The pass has been billed as a way for Canadians to more easily explore their own country (new window) . But Lorne McVicar says it has actually made it more difficult for the couple to vacation in Canada — and he questions why the program is open to everyone, including international tourists. In June, he says, the couple tried to reserve a camping site for several days in July at New Brunswick's Fundy National Park, but it was completely booked that month. So was Newfoundland and Labrador's Gros Morne National Park. I anticipated with the Canada Strong Pass, there'd be a higher demand for these campsites, but I didn't anticipate that it would be such a demand that everything was sold out, said McVicar. Enlarge image (new window) Lorne and Riza McVicar at their home in Halifax. The couple says when they tried in June to book a camping trip in July at a nearby national park, they were surprised to discover all sites were booked. Photo: David Laughlin Parks Canada told CBC News it won't have attendance data until the end of the season, although it expects high volumes to continue this year. But one thing is already clear: The Canada Strong Pass has helped draw an influx of visitors to the country's most popular parks, sparking concerns about overcapacity. Stay off the sand dunes In late July, Prince Edward Island National Park (new window) announced (new window) it has been experiencing record numbers of visitors and traffic congestion. It is overcrowded, said Mike Kelly, who lives close to and frequently visits the park. If you're going to invite the whole world here for free, you should be ready for it. Amid the record attendance, the park reissued warnings to visitors (new window) to stay off its sand dunes, which help protect the coastline (new window) from storm surges. Walking on them damages the grass that holds them together, leading to their destruction. I see an awful lot of people walking on the dunes; I see a lot of people digging on the dunes, said Kelly. It's really disheartening. Enlarge image (new window) Parks Canada has posted signs and barriers at Prince Edward Island National Park, reminding people to stay off the fragile sand dunes. Photo: Parks Canada Park warden Doug Campbell says with the large influx of visitors, it's likely more people are trespassing on the dunes. It's such a beautiful spot and we hate to see damage done. Traffic jams More visitors also means more traffic on roadways near popular parks, including the world-famous Banff National Park. Traffic in the town of Banff is on pace for a record-breaking year, with volume up more than six per cent over the past seven months, compared to the same period last year. We are so glad that people can connect with their national park system. But we do know that we cannot handle that volume of vehicles into the long term, said Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno. Enlarge image (new window) The Town of Banff says traffic is on track for a record-breaking year, with volume up more than six per cent over the past seven months, compared to the same period last year. Photo: CBC / Helen Pike Traffic got so heavy at southern Alberta's Waterton Lakes National Park on Aug. 3 that park officials had to block cars from entering (new window) for about two and a half hours. We recognize that that has a real impact on visitors and is a really challenging situation for all involved, said Christy Gustavison, visitor experience manager for the park. The only other time (new window) Waterton had to temporarily close the park to traffic was in 2017 (new window) — when Parks Canada also offered free admission (new window) to celebrate the country's 150th birthday. Parks Canada responds Parks Canada spokesperson Claudia Crépeault told CBC News in an email that traffic diversions and fully booked campsites happen each year, and that current camping reservation levels are similar to previous years. But according to recent regional CBC News reports, July saw bigger camping crowds — at least at some parks. Parks Canada told CBC last month (new window) that Gros Morne National Park's campsites booked up about a month earlier than last year. The agency also said (new window) that at La Mauricie National Park in Quebec, year-over-year attendance climbed by 19 per cent and campsite bookings by 10 per cent between July 7 and 13. WATCH | Ottawa launches Canada Strong Pass: Crépeault also said that Parks Canada incorporates many effective strategies to manage crowds and protect the parks' ecosystems. U.S. parks surcharge Because the Canada Strong pass was promoted as a perk for Canadians, it has raised questions about why it's accessible to international visitors. It should have been for taxpayers only, said McVicar, of Halifax. "It was for Canadians to access the Canadian parks." Hermine Landry, spokesperson for the office of the minister of Canadian identity and culture, did not directly address why foreign travellers have also been able to use the pass. Our government will be reviewing the success of the pass this summer to assess its impact, she said in an email to CBC News, adding that the pass has proven popular with many Canadians. There currently isn't data suggesting international tourists are behind an uptick in park attendance this year. However, many countries, including Ecuador (new window) and Costa Rica (new window) , charge tourists more than their own residents to access national parks and protected areas. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order (new window) to hit foreign travellers with an increased fee to visit his country's national parks. The yet-to-be-determined charge could take effect in 2026 (new window) . Most U.S. national parks have free entry, but popular sites like Yellowstone (new window) and the Rocky Mountain (new window) charge admission fees. McVicar said he hopes Canada will make a similar move: [Trump's fee] should definitely be met with a surcharge on Americans coming to our parks. Ottawa didn't directly respond to a question about whether it's considering doing so. Riza McVicar at Fundy National Park where she and husband, Lorne, managed to stay three nights in July by moving to different camping sites each day. Photo: Submitted by Lorne McVicar For their part, the McVicars report they eventually managed to book their July camping trip, by constantly checking the Parks Canada reservations site for cancellations. Still, they say their trip wasn't on par with previous years, because they had to change sites five times over six nights, as they could only secure single-night bookings each time. It's unfortunate, said McVicar. But he added, Beggars can't be choosers. Sophia Harris (new window) · CBC News · Business Reporter Based in Toronto, Sophia Harris covers consumer and business for CBC News web, radio and TV. She previously worked as a CBC videojournalist in the Maritimes, where she won an Atlantic Journalism Award for her work. Got a story idea? Contact: @sophiaharrisCBC (new window) With files from Gwyneth Egan and Helen Pike
CBC
4 days ago
- CBC
Canada's national parks are free for everyone this summer. Should they be?
Social Sharing Lorne and Riza McVicar of Halifax were excited to take advantage of the federal government's much-touted Canada Strong Pass. It includes automatic free admission to Canada's national parks and a 25 per cent discount on campsites from June 20 to Sept. 2. The pass has been billed as a way for Canadians to more easily explore their own country. But Lorne McVicar says it has actually made it more difficult for the couple to vacation in Canada — and he questions why the program is open to everyone, including international tourists. In June, he says, the couple tried to reserve a camping site for several days in July at New Brunswick's Fundy National Park, but it was completely booked that month. So was Newfoundland and Labrador's Gros Morne National Park. "I anticipated with the Canada Strong Pass, there'd be a higher demand for these campsites, but I didn't anticipate that it would be such a demand that everything was sold out," said McVicar. Parks Canada told CBC News it won't have attendance data until the end of the season, although it expects high volumes to continue this year. But one thing is already clear: The Canada Strong Pass has helped draw an influx of visitors to the country's most popular parks, sparking concerns about overcapacity. Stay off the sand dunes In late July, Prince Edward Island National Park announced it has been experiencing record numbers of visitors and traffic congestion. "It is overcrowded," said Mike Kelly, who lives close to and frequently visits the park. "If you're going to invite the whole world here for free, you should be ready for it." Amid the record attendance, the park reissued warnings to visitors to stay off its sand dunes, which help protect the coastline from storm surges. Walking on them damages the grass that holds them together, leading to their destruction. "I see an awful lot of people walking on the dunes; I see a lot of people digging on the dunes," said Kelly. "It's really disheartening." Park warden Doug Campbell says with the large influx of visitors, it's likely more people are trespassing on the dunes. "It's such a beautiful spot and we hate to see damage done." Traffic jams More visitors also means more traffic on roadways near popular parks, including the world-famous Banff National Park. Traffic in the town of Banff is on pace for a record-breaking year, with volume up more than six per cent over the past seven months, compared to the same period last year. "We are so glad that people can connect with their national park system. But we do know that we cannot handle that volume of vehicles into the long term," said Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno. Traffic got so heavy at southern Alberta's Waterton Lakes National Park on Aug. 3 that park officials had to block cars from entering for about two and a half hours. "We recognize that that has a real impact on visitors and is a really challenging situation for all involved," said Christy Gustavison, visitor experience manager for the park. The only other time Waterton had to temporarily close the park to traffic was in 2017 — when Parks Canada also offered free admission to celebrate the country's 150th birthday. Parks Canada responds Parks Canada spokesperson Claudia Crépeault told CBC News in an email that "traffic diversions and fully booked campsites happen each year," and that current camping reservation levels are similar to previous years. But according to recent regional CBC News reports, July saw bigger camping crowds — at least at some parks. Parks Canada told CBC last month that Gros Morne National Park's campsites booked up about a month earlier than last year. The agency also said that at La Mauricie National Park in Quebec, year-over-year attendance climbed by 19 per cent and campsite bookings by 10 per cent between July 7 and 13. WATCH | Ottawa launches Canada Strong Pass: The federal government has announced details of the Canada Strong Pass, aimed at promoting domestic tourism. It includes free entry to national parks and conservation areas as well as lower prices for campsites, but there are concerns about further overwhelming locations. Crépeault also said that Parks Canada incorporates many effective strategies to manage crowds and protect the parks' ecosystems. U.S. parks surcharge Because the Canada Strong pass was promoted as a perk for Canadians, it has raised questions about why it's accessible to international visitors. "It should have been for taxpayers only," said McVicar, of Halifax. "It was for Canadians to access the Canadian parks." Hermine Landry, spokesperson for the office of the minister of Canadian identity and culture, did not directly address why foreign travellers have also been able to use the pass. "Our government will be reviewing the success of the pass this summer to assess its impact," she said in an email to CBC News, adding that the pass has proven popular with many Canadians. There currently isn't data suggesting international tourists are behind an uptick in park attendance this year. However, many countries, including Ecuador and Costa Rica, charge tourists more than their own residents to access national parks and protected areas. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to hit foreign travellers with an increased fee to visit his country's national parks. The yet-to-be-determined charge could take effect in 2026. Most U.S. national parks have free entry, but popular sites like Yellowstone and the Rocky Mountain charge admission fees. McVicar said he hopes Canada will make a similar move: "[Trump's fee] should definitely be met with a surcharge on Americans coming to our parks." Ottawa didn't directly respond to a question about whether it's considering doing so. For their part, the McVicars report they eventually managed to book their July camping trip, by constantly checking the Parks Canada reservations site for cancellations. Still, they say their trip wasn't on par with previous years, because they had to change sites five times over six nights, as they could only secure single-night bookings each time.
