Latest news with #StevenGuilbeault
Cision Canada
an hour ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Minister Guilbeault defends Canada's cultural sovereignty in the digital age and calls for international cooperation during UNESCO conference Français
As UNESCO celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the Government of Canada stresses the growing importance of protecting Canadian culture and identity in a digital environment PARIS, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, made the following statement at the 10th session of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris from June 18 to 20, 2025: "We are proud to mark the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Canada is deeply attached to the values of this Convention and is proud to be one of its founding countries. For 20 years, it has guided us in the development of innovative cultural policies that serve our artists and creative sectors. The world has changed a great deal since 2005. We are facing new challenges everywhere, but also new opportunities as the digital shift—particularly the phenomenal rise of artificial intelligence—revolutionizes our societies, including our cultural and media sectors. Canada will always strongly defend the right of states to protect their culture. Today we are making a call to strengthen international cooperation to ensure digital governance in accordance with the principles of the 2005 Convention. In the past few days, we have worked with a number of countries in order to move forward collectively in a context where the urgency to act is clear: the digital world must evolve in a way that fully supports our cultural diversity. Canada has already taken several steps to ensure that our laws and cultural programs reflect digital reality. We have acted to promote local content, while requiring Web giants to contribute fairly and support our artists, creative professionals and media—because we firmly believe that strong cultural and media sectors are essential for a strong Canada. In light of the discussions that took place during this conference, we hear the plea of Canadian civil society and of our partner of choice at UNESCO, the Government of Quebec. We are continuing our close collaboration with Quebec, civil society and several Parties to the Convention to implement the recommendations to protect cultural diversity in the digital environment that were presented to UNESCO in February 2025 by a group of international experts. Canada supports the decisions made during the Conference today by the 160 signatory countries, which will support the ongoing implementation of the Convention in the digital age. The updating of digital operational guidelines and ongoing reflection on an additional protocol to the Convention will make it possible to take action now while considering other long-term solutions. This is why I applaud the ongoing, important work of the countries signatory to the Convention, the Government of Quebec, other provinces and territories, Indigenous communities and civil society. Canada will continue to be a strong voice at the international level to protect and promote creative and cultural industries, both at home and abroad, so that they can take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the digital shift."
National Post
12 hours ago
- National Post
'Canada Strong Pass' to offer free admission to national parks, historic sites this summer
Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault says the Canada Strong Pass will be in effect from June 20 to Sept. 2. It provides free summer admission to national parks and historic sites, discounted camping through Parks Canada, and discounts for young people at national museums and on Via Rail. (June 16, 2025)
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Calgary Herald
Here's what you can do in Ottawa with the Canada Strong Pass
Under the new Canada Strong Pass, Ottawa might see an uptick in tourists. Article content On Monday morning, Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault said Canadians will have a 'unique opportunity' to explore 'the very best our country has to offer.' Article content Article content 'I'm very happy to see how these initiatives will create momentum across the country,' Guilbeault said at the Canadian Museum of Nature. Article content Article content From June 20 to Sept. 2, 2025, Canada's historic sites and national parks will be free to visit and Via Rail tickets will be 25 per cent cheaper for young adults aged 18 to 24. Children 17 and under can travel for free on Via Rail, accompanied by an adult. Article content Article content Museums will be offering 50 per cent off admission fees for youth aged 18 to 24 and free admission for children 17 and under. No registration or physical pass is required to use the pass. Article content The pass launches on Friday and benefits will be immediately available at parks, museums and on the Via Rail booking site. Here's what you can access and explore in the Ottawa area under the Canada Strong Pass. Article content Article content Article content Article content Originally built in 1838, this structure is one of the 'best preserved nineteenth-century fortifications in Canada' and holds historical and strategic significance from the War of 1812. The fort is located in Prescott, right on the St. Lawrence River, a short drive away from Ottawa.
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Vancouver Sun
Here's what you can do in Ottawa with the Canada Strong Pass
Under the new Canada Strong Pass, Ottawa might see an uptick in tourists . On Monday morning, Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault said Canadians will have a 'unique opportunity' to explore 'the very best our country has to offer.' 'I'm very happy to see how these initiatives will create momentum across the country,' Guilbeault said at the Canadian Museum of Nature. From June 20 to Sept. 2, 2025, Canada's historic sites and national parks will be free to visit and Via Rail tickets will be 25 per cent cheaper for young adults aged 18 to 24. Children 17 and under can travel for free on Via Rail, accompanied by an adult. Plan your next getaway with Travel Time, featuring travel deals, destinations and gear. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Travel Time will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Museums will be offering 50 per cent off admission fees for youth aged 18 to 24 and free admission for children 17 and under. No registration or physical pass is required to use the pass. The pass launches on Friday and benefits will be immediately available at parks, museums and on the Via Rail booking site. Here's what you can access and explore in the Ottawa area under the Canada Strong Pass. Laurier House National Historic Site Located in Sandy Hill, this historic site commemorates two of Canada's prime ministers , Sir Wilfrid Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King. From 1897 to 1948, the house acted as a central location of political life in Canada. Fort Wellington National Historic Site Originally built in 1838, this structure is one of the 'best preserved nineteenth-century fortifications in Canada' and holds historical and strategic significance from the War of 1812. The fort is located in Prescott, right on the St. Lawrence River, a short drive away from Ottawa. Rideau Canal National Historic Site The Rideau Canal was labelled a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. It transforms into the world's largest skating rink during the wintertime, but you can easily rent a kayak at Dow's Lake and explore the canal that way. Parliament Hill While the Parliament Buildings are not open to the public, the Hill is, and is always worth a quick visit. It's a popular tourist destination and is a symbolic piece of Canadian politics and democracy. Canada Agriculture and Food Museum The national agriculture museum offers exhibitions on Canada's agricultural heritage, and how agriculture science and technology are used to benefit Canadians every day. There are 150 farm animals, including chickens, goats, horses and an alpaca. Canada Aviation and Space Museum More than 130 aircraft and artifacts, including from First and Second World War planes, are housed in this museum. They offer interactive demonstrations and helicopter sightseeing rides right from the museum, fostering a greater appreciation for Canadian aviation history. Canadian Museum of History Located in Gatineau, this national museum houses Canadian anthropological, ethnological and cultural history. It focuses on promoting Canada's heritage and is known for having Canada's largest museum of human history. Canadian Museum of Nature This national classic houses several exhibitions and programs on Canada's impressive natural history, Arctic species and butterfly exhibits . It holds several impressive galleries, including a water gallery, a Pacific Discovery Tank and a large fossil gallery. Canada Science and Technology Museum This museum has a responsibility to preserve Canada's scientific and technological history. It houses more than 150,000 objects, including vintage cars, and includes daily experiments and a steam locomotive hall. Canadian War Museum The war museum covers the country's military history and serves as a place of remembrance and an educational facility. It houses several military holdings, including rare vehicles, uniforms, medals and personal memoirs. National Gallery of Canada Located near the ByWard Market, this art museum is one of the largest museums in North America with more than 93,000 pieces of art. Originally built in 1880, it showcases contemporary, Indigenous and historical art. Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed.
3 days ago
The Canada Strong Pass launches Friday to promote domestic tourism. Here's what it offers
Canadian Culture and Identity Minister Steven Guilbeault announced on Monday morning that the federal government will launch the Canada Strong Pass later this week — a move to promote domestic tourism that makes Canada's historic sites and parks free to visit and rail travel less expensive for young people. Canadians are proud of their country. Canada is strong and it's yours to discover, Guilbeault said at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa. The pass, which launches on Friday and ends Sept. 2, doesn't require registration or a physical card. Instead, the benefits will be available upon arrival at parks, national museums and when booking train tickets. Canadians and foreign tourists are eligible. In a news release, Canadian Heritage (new window) said the pass includes free admission for all visitors to national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas administered by Parks Canada and a 25 per cent discount on camping fees. Canadian Culture and Identity Minister Steven Guilbeault says the Canada Strong Pass isn't a physical document and doesn't require registration. Instead, the benefits will be available upon arrival at national parks and historic sites. Photo: The Canadian Press / Sean Kilpatrick The pass also gives children aged 17 and under free admission to national museums and the Plains of Abraham Museum. For young adults aged 18 to 24, they get a 50 per cent discount. Children aged 17 and under can also travel for free on Via Rail when accompanied by an adult. Young adults aged 18 to 24 get a 25 per cent discount on tickets. Finally, children get free admission to select provincial and territorial museums and galleries, while young adults aged 18 to 24 get a 50 per cent discount. Our federal government makes it easier than ever for families to choose Canada when planning their summer vacation, and to fully enjoy the places and experiences that bring us together and that strengthen our country, Guilbeault said. More Canadians exploring Canada The federal government's announcement comes as fewer Canadians travel south to the United States — and some of that travel itch is being redirected back to Canada. In May, Statistics Canada released data that showed return trips by Canadians coming back from the U.S. by air dropped by 19.9 per cent, and return via land borders dropped by a whopping 35.2 per cent compared to April of last year. A truck drives past the passenger entry point at the U.S.-Canada border in Surrey, B.C., on March 4, 2025. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press) Photo: (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press) Many Canadians have been opting not to visit the U.S. in recent months for a number of reasons, such as increased scrutiny and risk of detention at the border (new window) , or as a way to boycott the U.S. (new window) given President Donald Trump's trade war threats and talk of annexing Canada. In March, at least eight provinces and territories (new window) shared with CBC News that they've seen increased interest from Canadian tourists in visiting their respective regions. Guilbeault said the pass is about discovering and reconnecting with nature, history and culture of this remarkable country we all share and are proud to call our own. WATCH | Canada Strong Pass includes free and discounted entry to some popular tourist sites — but there are concerns about overwhelming locations: Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Government launches Canada Strong Pass to promote tourism The federal government has announced details of the Canada Strong Pass, aimed at promoting domestic tourism. It includes free entry to national parks and conservation areas as well as lower prices for campsites, but there are concerns about further overwhelming locations. Benjamin Lopez Steven (new window) · CBC News
