Ministers McKenna and Duclos kick-off Parks Canada's 2019 visitor season by announcing zero-emission vehicle charging stations at Parks Canada places

QUÉBEC, May 17, 2019 /CNW/ - Whether you're looking for adventure, fun science activities for the whole family, a chance to explore history, or a break from the everyday, Parks Canada has 450 000 km² of protected areas with countless unique experiences to suit your needs.

Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna; the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Québec, Jean-Yves Duclos; and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert, Joël Lightbound, were at Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site in Québec to celebrate the launch of Parks Canada's 2019 visitor season and highlight how the Government of Canada is making it easier for Canadians to choose zero-emission vehicles.

Through Budget 2019, the Government of Canada is working to expand the network of zero-emission vehicle charging and refuelling stations, and is creating new incentives for people and businesses to purchase zero-emission vehicles.

Visitors will now have access to zero-emission vehicle charging stations at all national parks that are reachable by car. Canadians using practical solutions to reduce their emissions will now have the opportunity to do so while visiting our amazing national parks, national marine conservation areas, and national historic sites. We are also committed to having charging infrastructure at or near ?the 25 most popular Parks Canada destinations across the country by 2021. By 2025, the Agency will double the number of destinations offering this service to the 50 most popular places.

Canadians also have access to new features of the Parks Canada Mobile App, and continue to enjoy free admission for people aged 17 and under, and new Canadian citizens for one year, through the Institute for Canadian Citizenship's Canoo mobile app.  By encouraging young people to discover nature and connect with history, we can inspire the next generation of stewards for these protected places.

Quotes

"Our parks play such a critical role in shaping our national identity, protecting nature and wildlife, and fighting climate change. We are working with Canadians across the country to support practical and affordable solutions to fight climate change. Visitors making tangible efforts to reduce their emissions can now charge their vehicles at, or near, Parks Canada places across the country. So let's get outdoors, visit our national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas, and discover these amazing places."
The Honourable Catherine McKenna,
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

"Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. Ultimately, our survival hangs in the balance. Canadians have a right to expect that their government is taking the necessary measures to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, primarily responsible for climate change. That is why we have decided to put a price on pollution, to revitalize and enhance our national parks, and encourage the production and purchase of zero-emission vehicles through financial support making this technology more affordable for Canadians."
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Quick Facts

• Transportation accounts for a quarter of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, almost half of which comes from cars and light trucks. The government is committed to putting more zero-emission vehicles on the road, which offer the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the longer-term.
• Budget 2019 provides $300 million, starting in 2019-20, to introduce a new federal purchase incentive program to encourage more Canadians to buy zero-emission vehicles.
• Currently, there are charging stations available to visitors at, or near, 13 national parks and national historic sites. Parks Canada is working with partners to add charging stations at an additional seven places, and preliminary discussions are underway at more parks and sites.
• The latest Parks Canada app update makes trip planning for Parks Canada locations across the country even easier for first time visitors. Visitors can now find Learn-to Camp content in the app and can obtain information on proper camping equipment, tips, and recipes. Visitors can even plan their entire trip itinerary and create a camping checklist.
• Visitor safety is important to Parks Canada. Visitors can do their part by getting informed and being prepared by planning an activity and sharing that information with a friend or family before they begin. Learn about the wildlife in the park/site you will be visiting to help us keep wildlife wild by checking out our top ten tips: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/conseils-tips/faune-wildlife
• In the heart of Québec, let yourself be charmed by the beauty and tranquility of the landscape surrounding Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site. It commemorates the wintering location of Jacques Cartier and his companions in 1535-1536 and lets visitors discover the work of Father Jean de Brébeuf.

Related Links

• Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site Web Site
• Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles program (iZEV)
• Parks Canada mobile application
• Parks Canada website
• Parks Canada Discovery Pass Order Online
• Parks Canada Reservation System
• Cannabis use at Parks Canada places
• Parks Canada Shop

SOURCE Parks Canada