National parks fees frozen for recession relief

Fees at national parks and historic sites managed by Parks Canada will remain at current levels for two years, the federal government announced Saturday.

"By freezing this year and next our government is supporting the time-honoured traditions of our country — of family camping trips and the student backpacking adventures," said Jim Prentice, the environment minister and minister responsible for Parks Canada.

"Now Canada is passing through a global recession, and for some families every dollar counts, and the fee freeze is just one more thing that we can do to help," he told reporters in Ottawa.

For individuals, the 2008 rates will stay in place until April 1, 2011. For the travel trade, the 2009 rates now in effect will be frozen until April 1, 2012.

The minister unveiled the fee freeze ahead of Parks Canada's new advertising campaign, which kicks off on television and the internet on Monday.