Canada Strong Pass returns

The Canada Strong Pass will run from June 19 to September 7, 2026 for the summer window and was also active over the 2025–26 holiday period from December 12, 2025 to January 15, 2026, according to the federal campaign pages. (canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-pass/about.html) VIA Rail’s offer under the program applies to Escape and Economy fares across its network, with children and youth aged 17 and under travelling free in Economy when accompanied by an adult and 18–24‑year‑olds receiving a 25% discount; bookings must be made within the ticketing window and use discount code CANADAFAM. (viarail.ca/en/offers/canada-strong-pass) Parks Canada is providing free admission to its national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas during the Pass window, plus a 25% discount on camping and roofed accommodation fees administered by Parks Canada. (canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-pass/about.html) National museums and the Plains of Abraham Museum offered free admission for children 17 and under and a 50% admission discount for young adults 18–24 under the Pass, with participating provincial and territorial museums matching similar youth pricing. (canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-pass/about.html) Federal reporting on the program’s earlier run cites a 6.5% increase in VIA Rail ridership, a 13% increase in visits to Parks Canada sites, and an average 15% growth in national museum visits during the initial rollout. (canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2025/12/the-canada-strong-pass-is-back-for-the-holidays.html) The Pass requires no physical card or registration—savings are applied at participating sites on presentation or via booking conditions—but some partner sites may require reservations, discounts cannot always be combined with other offers, and availability is subject to capacity limits. (canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-pass/about.html)