The government announced in June that access to federal parks and museums would be free this summer. So that everyone can take advantage of it, the staff of national parks, museums and historic places devoted themselves body and soul despite the threat of positions of posts, overwork and extreme weather conditions.
The high season is in full swing for the workers of Parks Canada, who brave the heat, the sun, the wind and the rain for hours to take care of the national parks and the tourists who frequent them. Carefall has increased sharply, as at the Mauricie National Park in Quebec.
However, the announcement also means that the entrance fees of Parks Canada is suspended during the peak period, without any plan to compensate for the loss of income.
As for museums, gratuitousness attracts crowds across the country. It therefore takes more staff to accommodate customers, host children’s programs and reduce the wait.
This is good news that the attendance of these spaces is increasing, but you should know that the government has not hired additional personnel or increased the financing of the places concerned. Workers must therefore redouble their efforts despite the lack of resources, staff and support.
Again, it is the civil servants and the population who pay the cost of the lack of government planning.
Less than a month after launching the pass, here are announced generalized budget compressions in public services, which do not spare Parks Canada.
It is paradoxical to insist so much on the importance of tourism when, at the same time, we threaten to cut food to people who take care of the most beautiful sites in the country.
The government must be substantial and undertake to protect not only public services, but also people who ensure the safety, beauty and accessibility of parks, museums and historic places in Canada.
