Film & Video productions

• projects using a location as an identifiable location administered by Parks Canada; and
• projects using a location purely as a backdrop or scenery with no reference to the location's significance

Discount schedule

• productions presenting Parks Canada high priority messages without necessarily mentioning the Agency (i.e. Ecological integrity, commemorative integrity); and
• productions contributing to the overall mandate of "Engaging Canadians": informing, influencing and involving (e.g. Youth, schools, tourism promotion)

Discount schedule

Can be linked to:

• Education
• Tourism
• Entertainment

Discount schedule

Parks Canada's funding comes from two sources: tax dollars and user fees. Tax dollars are used to create and preserve national historic sites, national parks, national marine conservation areas, and historic canals since their protection benefits all Canadians. Visitors pay fees to help offset the costs of the services and facilities at Parks Canada administered places since they personally benefit from them.

Revenues from fees collected at national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas are vital to these places' operation and represent about 25% of Parks Canada's operating budget. These fees are reinvested to support visitor programs, services, and facilities, in addition to engaging visitors in conservation efforts. Visitor fees never exceed the costs of delivering the service to visitors; they only ever recover a portion of the costs, keeping visitor experiences affordable.

Applications must be submitted a minimum of 15 business days prior to intended film/photography activities.

When reviewing a film permit application, Parks Canada staff will be assessing whether the timing or location of the production will have any impacts on our normal operations, such as site closures or requirements for the participation of lock staff. They will also assess whether there are any potential impacts of the production on the environment or cultural resources at the site. Finally, they will assess whether any discounts may apply to the film permit, such as if the production contributes to education or raising awareness of Parks Canada's places.

Engaging the Audience:

The more your audience knows about Parks Canada Places, the more likely they will be to appreciate these heritage places and support the work required to preserve and protect them.

Protection:

Parks Canada is responsible for both protecting the ecosystems of natural areas and managing them for visitors to understand, appreciate, and enjoy in a way that doesn't compromise their integrity.

Education:

National parks tell the stories of Canada's natural beginnings - mountains forming, lakes emerging, rivers running, forests growing, glaciers moving, grasslands evolving - to anyone who takes the time to listen, to look and to understand. They also tell tales of human history, from traditional Indigenous activities to early exploration, European settlement, and modern use. They provide opportunities to learn about and connect with nature, people and events that define Canada.

In setting fees, fairness is a priority for Parks Canada. Prices must be set in a way where taxpayers are not overburdened. At the same time, visitors benefit from high-quality services supported through reasonable user fees.

When the government sets fees, they consider who will benefit the most from the provided service. Some services offer benefits to Canadians as a whole and provide a public benefit. Other services provide individuals with a personal benefit that is typically enjoyed only by the user. Typically, if only the user benefits, they would pay more of the costs. However, Parks Canada does not set fees to make a profit.

Discounts are assessed using the following parameters;

• Productions involving minimal equipment, crew size and impact on the environment and visitors;
• Productions contributing to public awareness, appreciation and understanding of Canada's national parks/historic sites and Parks Canada;
• Productions requesting off-season and/or weekday shooting dates
• Productions involving minimal Parks Canada staff to be on-site

We want to help you showcase Parks Canada places at their best. To help with your planning, we can suggest location tips, best dates and times to avoid crowds, locations for a great view and unique story angles.

If your shoot is only occurring on Parks Canada lands, then yes. However, if it is also occurring off Parks Canada lands, then other permits may be required. In Ottawa, there are multiple land managers, including the National Capital Commission, Public Services and Procurement Canada and the City of Ottawa, so approvals from them or other authorities may be required in addition if your shoot is on lands under their administration. Outside of Ottawa, the local municipalities are the most likely other jurisdiction to be involved in film permitting.

Parks Canada administers a variety of locations within the boundaries of the City of Ottawa. In particular, these include the following;

• Ottawa Locks 1-8 (including the Bytown Museum)
• Hartwells Locks 9-10
• Hogs Back Locks 11-12
• Black Rapids Lock 13
• Long Island Locks 14-16
• Some property in and around the Dows Lake area