Lorne and Riza McVicar of Halifax were excited to take advantage of the federal government's much-touted Canada Strong Pass . It includes automatic free admission to Canada's national parks and a 25 per cent discount on campsites from June 20 to Sept. 2.
The pass has been billed as a way for Canadians to more easily explore their own country. But Lorne McVicar says it has actually made it more difficult for the couple to vacation in Canada — and he questions why the program is open to everyone, including international tourists.
In June, he says, the couple tried to reserve a camping site for several days in July at New Brunswick's Fundy National Park, but it was completely booked that month. So was Newfoundland and Labrador's Gros Morne National Park.
"I anticipated with the Canada Strong Pass, there'd be a higher demand for these campsites, but I didn't anticipate that it would be such a demand that everything was sold out," said McVicar.
WATCH | Canada Strong Pass crows too big for some: Canada Strong park pass brings big crowds — too big for some Duration
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