Wednesday, February 4, 2026
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

    New Child Care Spaces Coming To B.C. Communities

    “Our government has embarked on the biggest child care space creation program in B.C.’s history,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development.    

    New Child Care Spaces Coming To B.C. Communities

    Police Search For Man Whom They Say Stole Two Vehicles And A Package In Maple Ridge

    Maple Ridge, B.C – Ridge Meadows RCMP are looking to identify two suspects alleged to be involved in local parcel thefts and auto thefts.

    Police Search For Man Whom They Say Stole Two Vehicles And A Package In Maple Ridge

    Meet Abbotsford Police Department’s Junior Chief For The Day- 5-Yr-Old, Emmett Willms

    Young 5-year-old Emmett Willms had big shoes to fill when he stepped in as the Abbotsford Police Department’s “Junior Chief for the Day”!  

    Meet Abbotsford Police Department’s Junior Chief For The Day- 5-Yr-Old, Emmett Willms

    City Of Surrey Receives National Award For Financial Reporting

    The award, which recognized the annual financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, was presented to Kam Grewal, General Manager, Finance at last night’s Regular City Council meeting.

    City Of Surrey Receives National Award For Financial Reporting

    Surrey Steps Up Celebrates Positive Youth-Driven Initiatives In Surrey

    Hundreds of youth filled City Hall on Friday evening to showcase and celebrate the positive contributions that young people are making in Surrey.   

    Surrey Steps Up Celebrates Positive Youth-Driven Initiatives In Surrey

    New Storm Would Dump Snow On B.C. Mountain Passes; Centre Warns Of Flood Risk

    VANCOUVER - Travellers on many high mountain passes in British Columbia's southern Interior are being warned to expect winter conditions as Environment Canada posts snowfall warnings for those routes.    

    New Storm Would Dump Snow On B.C. Mountain Passes; Centre Warns Of Flood Risk