Released on June 18, 2014
The Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport is proud to announce that SaskParks, Government House, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and the T.rex Discovery Centre have joined the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s Cultural Access Pass (CAP) program. CAP offers new Canadian citizens and their children free access to more than 1,200 Canadian cultural places and spaces in their first year of citizenship.“We are delighted to be part of this program,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Mark Docherty said. “Our ministry destinations truly enhance the quality of life here in Saskatchewan and we want all Canadians to enjoy those opportunities. Through this program, new citizens will be able to explore our breathtaking natural environment and our fascinating history.”
Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport will add 38 new attractions for CAP members to explore. New citizens can use their CAP pass to access the day-use areas of Saskatchewan’s 35 provincial parks at no cost – encouraging them to experience the beautiful beaches, scenic hiking trails, restored historic villages and fur trade posts and world-class fishing that is available.
CAP members can also learn about Saskatchewan’s natural history and Aboriginal cultures at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina and the province’s fossil history at the T.rex Discovery Centre in Eastend. Visitors to these two attractions will learn about the province’s diverse ecological regions, discover what Saskatchewan was like during the days when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and experience First Nations’ culture both past and present.
Government House in Regina is a must-see museum for newcomers to Saskatchewan. At Government House, visitors can learn about the evolution of Saskatchewan’s legislature and find out what life was like for Saskatchewan’s first Lieutenant Governor at the turn of the 20th century.
“Saskatchewan is one of the fastest growing places in Canada,” Institute for Canadian Citizenship Executive Director and CEO Gillian Smith said. “We are delighted to partner with the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport to connect Canada’s newest citizens with opportunities to learn about their new home.”
The Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport’s participation in this program will add three new locations in the province where CAP members can pick up their pass: SaskParks head office, 3211 Albert Street, Regina; Government House, 4607 Dewdney Avenue, Regina; and the RSM, 2445 Albert Street, Regina. For more information about these destinations, visit their websites at www.saskparks.net, www.royalsaskmuseum.ca and www.governmenthouse.gov.sk.ca.
About the Cultural Access Pass program:
The Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s Cultural Access Pass introduces Canada’s newest citizens to a wealth of Canadian experiences by providing a year of free access to more than 1,200 galleries, museums, historic sites, national and provincial parks and performing arts organizations across the country. Since its inception in 2008, more than 90,000 new citizens have participated in the program. A new citizen becomes eligible for a Cultural Access Pass the day he/she receives Canadian citizenship. The pass is valid for one year, expiring on the first anniversary of a member’s date of citizenship. New citizens must be 18 years of age or older to participate, but each member can bring up to four children under the age of 18. CAP is generously supported by the RBC Foundation. To learn more about the Cultural Access Pass, visit www.culturalaccesspass.ca. To learn more about the Institute for Canadian Citizenships' work to help accelerate new citizens’ integration into Canadian life, visit www.icc-icc.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Karen Webb
Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-7828
Email: karen.webb@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-4087
Jess Duerden
Institute for Canadian Citizenship
Toronto
Phone: 416-459-6466
Email: jduerden@icc-icc.ca