Canadian Grade 8 Students to Receive Free National Park Access: Minister Jim Prentice

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Apr 22 (MARKET WIRE) --
Today, Grade 8 students across Canada are invited to experience Canada's
national parks and historic sites for free, announced the Honourable Jim
Prentice, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for
Parks Canada. The launch of "My Parks Pass", a program
partnering initiative with Nature Canada and The Historica-Dominion
Institute, will allow over 400,000 Grade 8 students to enter Parks Canada
administered national parks and national historic sites for free for
twelve months.

"Canada's future lies in the hands of its youth, and today, on Earth
Day, our Government is especially proud to place a key to the nation's
greatest treasures in those young hands," said Minister Prentice.
"The "My Parks Pass" will allow Grade 8 students to enter
Parks Canada-administered parks and sites for free and open doors to
connect their hearts and minds to places and events that embody the very
essence of Canada."

"Nature Canada is proud to be a partner in this program," said
Ian Davidson, Executive Director, Nature Canada. "Creating
opportunities for our youth to experience nature first-hand in our parks
and national historic sites will promote healthy, active lifestyles and
generate appreciation of and respect for nature."

The passes, which will be distributed the week of May 17, provide free
access to 27 national parks and 68 national historic sites.

"The wealth of Canada is its wilderness and its history," says
Andrew Cohen, president of The Historica-Dominion Institute. "We
hope the 'My Parks Pass Program' will introduce young Canadians to both,
igniting a lifetime interest."

In addition to twelve months of free access to the parks, beginning this
September all new Grade 8 classes across Canada will be able to visit
their national parks and Parks Canada-administered national historic
sites for free when visiting as part of an organized school trip.

"We look forward to seeing these students in class outings and with
their family and friends in our national parks and national historic
sites," added Minister Prentice. "I invite all Canadians and
our visitors to come celebrate our most treasured places where you can
enjoy a personal moment of discovery and gain a deeper understanding of
Canada."

For additional information on Parks Canada's the "My Parks
Pass," please see the accompanying backgrounder at
www.parkscanada.gc.ca under Media Room.

Contacts:
Office of the Minister of the Environment
Frederic Baril
Press Secretary
819-997-1441
http://twitter.com/jimprentice

Parks Canada
National Corporate Communications Branch
Media Relations
819-994-3023

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