2015 Aboriginal Entry Fees
| 2015 Jurisdictional Scan: Aboriginal Entry Fees | |||
| Does your jurisdiction offer free vehicle entrance for Aboriginal Peoples? | |||
| JURISDICTION | REPLIED | YES/NO | CONTACT NAME |
| B.C PARKS | X | ||
| ALBERTA PARKS | X | ||
| SASKATCHEWAN PARKS | ✅ | YES | Bob McEachern |
| COMMENTS: Saskatchewan provides free vehicle entrance for Aboriginal peoples to practice traditional rights (hunt, trap, fish, gather).No discount for nontraditional uses/services | |||
| MANITOBA PARKS | X | ||
| ONTARIO PARKS | ✅ | YES | Pat Walsh |
| COMMENTS: Memo to field staff from the Managing Director lays out approach for Ontario Parks (link in resource list below)Interim Guidelines referenced in the memo (link in resources below) | |||
| SEPAQ (QUEBEC) | X | ||
| NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR | ✅ | NO | Sian French |
| COMMENTS: | |||
| NOVA SCOTIA | X | ||
| PARKS NEW BRUNSWICK | Inquiring Jurisdiction | Brigitte Donald | |
| P.E.I PARKS | ✅ | Not Applicable | Shane Arbing |
| COMMENTS: PEI does not charge a vehicle entry fee to their Parks | |||
| GOVERNMENT OF NORTHWEST TERRITORIES | X | ||
| NUNAVUT PARKS | ✅ | YES | David Monteith |
| COMMENTS: Inuit have free access whether it be ATV, vehicle or snowmobile | |||
| YUKON PARKS | ✅ | Not Applicable | Eric Schroff |
| COMMENTS: Vehicle access to Yukon parks and recreation areas is free for all. Overnight use campground user fees apply to all | |||
| PARKS CANADA | ✅ | YES | Jean-Pierre Contant |
| COMMENTS: Parks Canada has two mechanisms through which we offer free entry in certain situations to Aboriginal peoples. However, neither of them apply to all Parks Canada locations. Both are on an individual basis. The first is a statement in our User Fee and Revenue Management Policy which states that “user fees will not be charged for Aboriginal people engaged in traditional spiritual and ceremonial activities pursuant to agreements with neighbouring aboriginal communities or regional tribal councils or as specified in land claim agreements, treaties or park establishment agreements.” The second mechanism is more recent and not limited to land claim agreements, treaties or park establishment agreements. It is through our pilot Aboriginal Peoples Open Doors program. Any Parks Canada location can participate in this pilot program if they choose. The Aboriginal Peoples Open Doors program is intended to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal communities that have historic ties to a Parks Canada location. As such, it offers free entry to members of specific communities to a specific park or site. It is not intended to offer free entry to Aboriginal people to all PC locations. |
Response Rate: 7/13 for 54%
Key Findings:
- Many jurisdictions have policies in place for free vehicle entry for Indigenous Peoples
- These policies are most often associated with traditional land use
- Some jurisdictions do not charge vehicle entry fees for anyone
Future Questions to Ask:
- Should Indigenous Peoples have free access to all Parks and Protected Areas? How would that be coordinated across jurisdictions? What would this kind of policy look like?
Links to Resources: