Minister Kent Announces Opening of 2013 Parks Canada Vacation Season

Most Parks Canada locations to open this weekend!

OTTAWA, May 16, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Peter Kent, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada today launched the 2013 Parks Canada vacation season which opens this coming weekend in most Parks Canada locations, offering visitors amazing opportunities to discover Canada's treasured natural and cultural places at their best.

"This year, exciting new projects like Parks Canada's collaboration with Google Street View are being spearheaded across the country and are helping create a stronger connection between Canadians and their treasured places - and Canadians are taking notice - as pre-season online reservations for Parks Canada are up by 35% compared to this time last year," said Minister Kent. "Plan your trip now to experience the wonders of nature in Canada or learn first-hand about our country's remarkable history."

Parks Canada has made significant efforts to proactively engage Canadians through exciting new opportunities like oTENTik tents, which have been installed in a number of national parks across the country, and the now expanded Learn-to-Camp program. Activities like these will introduce camping to families as well as help those who remember the camping experiences of their youth but no longer own the equipment.

As well, Parks Canada is committed to the preservation and protection of Canada's natural environment and is a world leader in conservation. As such, Parks Canada is embarking on this country's most aggressive ecological restoration program ever and Canadians will have a chance to not only learn about the work being done to protect our treasured places; they can take part in some of these projects as well.

The Government of Canada also believes strongly in the importance of promoting and celebrating Canada's history. For example, this year Parks Canada will celebrate, through new and exciting visitor programs, the 300^th anniversary of the founding of Louisbourg at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, and through efforts to promote Louisbourg300 celebrations in other locations around the country. Canadians can also rediscover the renovated Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff - the birthplace of Canada's national parks.

"Canada's national parks and national historic sites are the cornerstone of the tourism sector in Canada, and offer countless community and economic benefits," added Minister Kent. "It is vitally important to continue supporting these special places, and this year our Government will be investing over $100 million into their infrastructure, through the Parks Canada budget, in every province and territory across the country."

To find out more about how you can experience Canada's national heritage places this season, visit the Parks Canada website (www.pc.gc.ca). You can also visit our new online reservation system to book your next visit at www.reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Parks Canada