Some National Parks will be allowed to partially reopen next month.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that some parks will partially reopen on June 1 to allow people to use trails and green spaces where physical distancing is possible.
"We know that you can't prevent Canadians from going outside when the weather is nice. You just have to help them do it safely, continue to impress upon them the need for physical distancing, recognize some areas are more vulnerable than others and will need to remain closed, but create opportunities for Canadians' well being, for their mental health while at the same time protecting their physical health," said Trudeau.
Trudeau said announcements about specific parks will be made in the coming weeks. The government will be working with its provincial counterparts to coordinate openings of the National and Provincial parks.
"We know that this pandemic has hit very differently across the country and therefore there will be different phases or different steps in reopening of National Parks across the country. We will try to align with the local jurisdiction, with what the provincial parks nearby are doing so that it is clearer for people in terms of what they can do in their own particular region," said Trudeau.
The Ontario government announced all provincial parks would be open for day visitors by May 15.
During Thursday's news conference, Trudeau also announced a new $470 million benefit for the country's fisheries. The benefit offers to cover losses for fisheries that expect to see a decrease of 25 per cent in their income. The benefit will cover 75 per cent of the losses up to $10,000.
