Some national parks, historic sites to open

OTTAWA — Good news for outdoor enthusiasts as Canadians head into the May long weekend: Parks Canada will open some national parks — but not until June 1.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement during his daily press briefing on Thursday.

“Canadians have been doing the right things these past many weeks and that's why we can announce today some good news for the weeks ahead,” he said.

"Getting fresh air is important but we all have to be responsible about it. We have to be prepared to make adjustments as needed.”

According to details contained in a media advisory from Parks Canada, this means the federal government will gradually resume some operations at certain national parks, national historic sites, national wildlife areas, historic waterways, and national marine conservation areas. This will include access to some trails, day-use areas, and green spaces where physical distancing is possible, the release says, and some access for recreational boating, as well as the gradual resumption of some key field-based ecological and cultural resource protection activities.

At a separate press conference, environment minister Jonathan Wilkinson also noted that facilities such as washrooms and comfort stations will also be made available to visitors where possible.

Until the new openings are fully announced, closures implemented in March remain in place, including over the Victoria Day long weekend, and officials warn that Canadians should not try to access locations that are closed for their own safety.

In addition, all camping facilities remain closed until at least June 21, 2020, and all group activities and public events continue to be prohibited until further notice.

And just because the parks are open, Wilkinson said it doesn't give Canadians a free pass to drive long distances to access them.

“We are not encouraging travel beyond the local area,” he said. “There are many parks that are proximate to places where folks live [...] the message is you go to the parks that are nearby you.”

As the openings will be done in consultations with the provinces based on their current situation and measures in places to limit the spread of COVID-19 and only when and where it is safe to do so for both visitors and staff, opening dates, visitor access and services will vary across the country.

“I would emphasize services will be very limited to begin with, as we for move forward we would hope to expand the range of available services but this must be done in a thoughtful and prudent manner,” Wilkinson said.

Parks Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada websites will provide detailed information soon on what locations are open, what visitors can expect, how to prepare for visiting and what services may be available. Wilkinson said Canadians are encouraged to visit pc.gc.ca before planning any visits and to follow Parks Canada and Environment Canada on social media for any last-minute updates.