Sunday, December 14, 2025
ADVT 
National

Parks Canada To Close National Parks, Historic Sites To Vehicle Traffic

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Mar, 2020 07:05 PM

    Parks Canada is restricting vehicles in national parks and national historic sites after people flocked to the popular areas on the weekend.

     

    The federal agency said it's still noticing lots of visitors despite suspension of services and facility closures last week.

     

    Parks Canada plans to suspend all motor vehicle access, starting Wednesday, until further notice.

     

    "The government's top priority remains the health and safety of Canadians," Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, who is responsible for Parks Canada, said in a news release.

     

    "The window to contain the spread of COVID-19 is short and we must all change our behaviours now to flatten the curve and reduce the burden on our health-care system."

     

    Wilkinson said that includes not visiting national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas.

     

    Parks Canada said highways and roadways that go through the parks and historic sites will remain open for residents, but they are urged to stay home unless it's essential travel.

     

    Commercial and truck traffic will also be allow on those corridors, including the Trans-Canada Highway through Banff National Park.

     

    Officials said parking won't be permitted on highways and roadways.

     

    "We are asking all Canadians to respect these restrictions," Parks Canada said in the news release.

     

    Parks Canada staff will continue to perform highway maintenance, snow removal, fire response, dam operations and water management on historic waterways, as well as avalanche forecasting and control in the mountain parks.

     

    Indigenous traditional activities in Parks Canada locations will continue, but users are being asked to follow the advice of public-health experts on social distancing.

     

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Study Says Few Workers Have Paid Leave, Qualify For EI If Off Job Due To Covid-19

    Study Says Few Workers Have Paid Leave, Qualify For EI If Off Job Due To Covid-19
    OTTAWA - New research says broad swaths of the Canadian workforce won't have access to paid leave from their employers or existing federal help should they be forced off the job due to COVID-19.    

    Study Says Few Workers Have Paid Leave, Qualify For EI If Off Job Due To Covid-19

    Ontario Workers Won't Lose Jobs If Forced To Stay Home Because Of COVID-19

    Ontario Workers Won't Lose Jobs If Forced To Stay Home Because Of COVID-19
    OTTAWA - The Ontario government intends to pass emergency legislation that will ensure people who are forced to stay home from work because of COVID-19 will not lose their jobs.    

    Ontario Workers Won't Lose Jobs If Forced To Stay Home Because Of COVID-19

    Border Agency Adds Screening Questions After Complaints About Airport Disarray

    Border Agency Adds Screening Questions After Complaints About Airport Disarray
    OTTAWA - The Canada Border Services Agency announced new screening questions for travellers arriving Monday following a weekend of disarray at points of entry into the country, especially airports.    

    Border Agency Adds Screening Questions After Complaints About Airport Disarray

    A COVID-19 Update And New Provincial Measures

    In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what's on the radar of our editors for the morning of March 16 ...    

    A COVID-19 Update And New Provincial Measures

    Closing Arguments Set To Start In Schlatter Trial As Courts Wind Down Operations

    TORONTO - Closing arguments are expected to begin today in the trial of a Toronto man accused of sexually assaulting and strangling a young woman, even as Ontario's courts prepare to dramatically cut their operations.

    Closing Arguments Set To Start In Schlatter Trial As Courts Wind Down Operations

    Our Window To Flatten The COVID-19 Curve Is Narrow, Says Dr. Theresa Tam

    Canada's top public health officer raised the risk level associated with the growing COVID-19 pandemic on Sunday as one province warned it had evidence the virus was circulating locally.    

    Our Window To Flatten The COVID-19 Curve Is Narrow, Says Dr. Theresa Tam