Parks Canada proposes fee hikes in wake of government budget cuts

OTTAWA – Cash-strapped Parks Canada is asking Canadians what they think about the prospect of fee increases at national parks across the country.

Entrance rates and other fees at national parks and historic sites have been frozen since 2008.

The federal agency says it needs to raise the fees and introduce new ones to keep up with rising costs.

It is holding public consultations until Feb. 18 to get views from Canadians on such proposals as raising entrance fees to keep up with the rate of inflation.

Already, it has heard from angry residents in eastern Ontario about substantial fee hikes along the Rideau Canal and Trent-Severn Waterway.

The agency has already been struggling to brace for a $29-million budget cut and the loss of at least 638 jobs.