Man I can't believe we're giving newcomers easier access to the truly wonderful and remarkable parts of our nation, thus giving them something to actually love about Canada. How horrible.
They've been living here for years, contributing to our communities and paying taxes while not receiving the benefits of citizenship. Then they've had to study for and take a test, and swear and oath to a foreign monarch that natural born citizens have never been subjected to.
Giving them a park pass they're probably not going to use isn't hurting you any.
While it's true that everyone should have access to the national parks, you have to understand that raising that issue in the current context works to amplify the "fuck immigrants" messaging of the Sun. So, yeah, you should go take a hike in the woods.
It's just a free trial for new people . Like getting the first month free on a streaming service except it's for a year . If they like it they will have to start paying eventually. Also if it's like the ones near where I live anyone can go without paying you will just get a little notice on your car saying you should be to keep the parks funded
If there is one part of Canadian culture that can be said to be consistent across geographic and ideological lines, it's a connection to the land and the natural world. Our country is practically built on trekking through forests and canoeing down rivers. A national park pass is one of the simplest ways to encourage people to engage with that, and if there's one thing I'd like newcomers to do here it's to engage with our culture.
If you only ever pay for things that benefit you, the social contract starts to erode. Not helping those in need tends to reat it's ugly head one way or another. That's literally how taxes are supposed to work.