From the Fraser Institute

By Alex Whalen and Jake Fuss

This holiday season, many Canadians will fly to spend time to with family and friends. But air travellers in Canada consistently report  frustration with service, cost and choice. In its recent budget, the Carney government announced it will consider “options for the privatization of airports.” What does this mean for Canadians?

Up until the 1990s, the federal government served as both the owner and operator of Canada’s major airports. The Chrétien government partially privatized and transferred the operation of major airports to not-for-profit airport authorities, while the federal government remained the owner of the land. Since then, the federal government has effectively been the landlord for Canada’s airports, collecting rent each year from the not-for-profit operating authorities.

What would full privatization of airports look like?

If the government allows private for-profit businesses to own Canada’s major airports, their incentives would be to operate as efficiently as possible, serve customers and generate profits. Currently, there’s little incentive to compete as the operating authorities are largely unaccountable because they only report to government officials in a limited form, rather than reporting directly to shareholders as they would under privatization. Private for-profit airports exist in many other countries, and research has shown they are often less costly for passengers and more innovative.

Yet, privatization of airports should be only the first step in a broader package of reforms to improve air travel in Canada. The federal government should also open up competition by creating the conditions for new airports, new airlines and new investment. Currently, Canada restricts foreign ownership of Canadian airlines, while also restricting foreign airlines from flying within Canada. Consequently, Canadians are left with little choice when booking air travel. Opening up the industry by reversing these policies would force incumbent airlines to compete with a greater number of airlines, generating greater choice and likely lower costs for consumers.

Moreover, the federal government should reduce the taxes and fees on air travel that contribute to the cost of airline tickets. Indeed, according to our recent research, among peer countries, Canada has among the most expensive air travel taxes and fees. These costs get passed on to consumers, so it’s no surprise that Canada consistently ranks as a very expensive country for air travel.

If the Carney government actually privatizes Canada’s airports, this would be a good first step to introducing greater competition in an industry where it’s badly needed. But to truly deliver for Canadians, the government must go much further and overhaul the numerous policies, taxes and fees that limit competition and drive up costs.

Alex Whalen

Director, Atlantic Canada Prosperity, Fraser Institute

Jake Fuss

Director, Fiscal Studies, Fraser Institute

MxM News

Foreign visitors heading to America’s crown-jewel national parks will soon face a steeper bill, as the Trump administration moves to prioritize U.S. taxpayers who already bankroll the system. The Department of the Interior announced Tuesday that starting in 2026, non-residents will be charged an additional $100 at 11 of the country’s busiest parks — a list that includes the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Acadia, Everglades, and other iconic destinations. The change accompanies a sharp increase in the cost of an annual all-parks pass for foreign tourists, which will jump to $250, more than triple the current rate. Americans and permanent residents will continue paying $80.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum framed the policy as a straightforward matter of fairness. “President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” he said, arguing that U.S. households already subsidize the National Park System and deserve affordable access while international tourists contribute “their fair share” to the upkeep and expansion of the park network. It’s a pitch that aligns with Trump’s broader push to restore what he calls a sense of ownership and pride in the country’s natural treasures, and to make sure the burden of maintaining them doesn’t fall solely on American families.

We’re making it easier & more affordable for Americans to experience the beauty & freedom of our public lands!

In 2026, we’re launching:
– America-first pricing 💵
– Digital passes 📱
– Patriotic pass designs 🇺🇸
– Expanded motorcycle access 🏍️
– 5 additional fee-free days 🗓️ pic.twitter.com/a2SvHNBdSP

— Secretary Doug Burgum (@SecretaryBurgum) November 25, 2025

The National Park Service recorded nearly 332 million visits in 2024 across its 63 designated national parks — a staggering figure that has placed heavy pressure on trails, facilities, and staff. While some parks charge per-vehicle fees and others by the individual, the $80 “America the Beautiful” pass covers the holder and all passengers or up to four adults. Under the new rules, foreign visitors who purchase the $250 annual pass will avoid the extra $100 at the 11 high-traffic parks, but all other overseas travelers will pay the surcharge at the gate.

The administration says the approach follows a July executive order from President Trump, aimed at preserving parkland “for American families” by ensuring those who don’t support the system through taxes help shoulder the cost of its growing maintenance needs. Burgum’s department also highlighted that U.S. visitors will continue to enjoy “patriotic fee-free days” tied to national observances — including President’s Day, Veterans Day, and Flag Day, which coincides with Trump’s birthday — while foreign visitors will pay full freight.

The move is expected to generate significant revenue from international tourism while reinforcing a message that has become central to Trump’s agenda: America’s natural wonders belong first to the taxpayers who fund them, and protecting access for those families comes before subsidizing the travel of visitors from abroad.