Canada Strong Pass Is Coming Back for Summer 2027 — and National Museums Will Be Free for Under-25s All Year
Good news for anyone planning a Canadian summer: the Canada Strong Pass is returning in 2027 for a third straight year.
The renewal was announced in Budget 2026, tabled on November 5. The pass isn't a physical card — it's a program that gives Canadians and visiting tourists free or discounted access to Parks Canada sites, national museums and galleries, and VIA Rail travel during the summer months.
And this time there's a permanent upgrade alongside it: admission to Canada's national museums will become free year-round for children and youth under 25 — not just in the summer, and not just while the pass is running.
Why it's back
The numbers from last summer made the decision easy. According to the federal government, visits to Parks Canada sites rose 13 per cent, national museum attendance grew by an average of 15 per cent, and VIA Rail ridership increased 6.5 per cent while the pass was in effect. Ottawa is putting $76 million in 2027–28 behind the renewal, plus $46.3 million over five years (and $11.5 million ongoing) to support the free museum admission for under-25s.
What's new for 2027
The biggest addition: the pass will expand to include discounted access to Indigenous-led museums and cultural centres — a first for the program, and a meaningful one for travellers who want their trips to include Indigenous history and culture told by Indigenous communities themselves.
What the pass has included
Based on the 2025 and 2026 editions (final 2027 terms will be confirmed closer to summer):
Free entry to all Parks Canada national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas
25% off Parks Canada camping and overnight stays (fees still apply for things like parking, permits, guided tours and firewood)
Free museum and gallery admission for ages 17 and under; 50% off for ages 18–24
VIA Rail: free travel for ages 17 and under travelling with an adult (with a discount code); 25% off for ages 18–24
One caution: the pass covers federal sites only. Provincial and territorial parks, Quebec's Sépaq parks, and municipal or private parks are not included.
When does it run?
Ottawa hasn't announced the 2027 dates yet. For reference, the 2025 pass ran June 20 to September 2, and the 2026 edition ran June 19 to September 7 — so expect a similar mid-June to early-September window, with 2027 being a special year: Canada's 160th birthday.
If a Canadian road trip, a national park camping trip, or a train ride across the country is on your family's list for next summer, hold off on booking the park passes and museum tickets — summer 2027 could be a lot cheaper than you think.
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