For Park's Canada 150 Anniversary, they are inviting everyone from around the world to come and help celebrate at their national treasures from coast to coast. 

Admission is free for all locations and they want everyone to join in on the celebration.

To order your free pass, click here:

What is Free:

• Admission to all national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas operated by Parks Canada
• Lockage at Parks Canada’s historic canals and waterways

What is not Free:

Although this year is special as its the 150th Anniversary, there are still some things that have the regular fees appllied. They are as follows: 

• Camping, backcountry and other accommodations
• Canadian Rockies Hot Springs
• Mooring
• Reservation fees
• Guided tours and hikes and programs not usually included with admission
• Firewood
• Backcountry overnight use

For more information, go to Parks Canada

The month of November saw a decline in sales activity as well as new listings coming on the market in Saskatoon and region. Total dollar volume year to date was $1.65 B, a 4% reduction from 2015 and 18% lower than the same period in 2014.The number of homes that sold in Saskatoon for November was 243 units representing a 14% reduction compared to November 2015. As of the end of last month there was a cumulative total of 3,489 home sales, this is 7% lower than a year ago. The number of homes listed for sale to the end of November 2016 was 8,897. Currently there are1,687 residential properties available for sale in Saskatoon, only the month of January had less product available with 1,612 units. At the current level of sales it would take nearly seven months to liquidate this inventory.

 The average selling price continues to remain virtually unchanged at just over $350,000. Two years ago the average selling price two years ago by comparison was $357,000, at a time when the market was more active. “An increase in sales in the higher end homes has helped to support the average price in the Saskatoon market” states Jason Yochim, CEO with the Saskatoon Region Association of REALTORS®. Sales in every price range below $750,000 saw decreases in unit sales however homes priced above that increased year over year. For sales over $1M there were 25 units sold year to date compared to 13 units a year ago. Homes in the price range between $750-800,000 were up 50% year to date over 2015.

 The current sales to listing ratio for November was 37% which is firmly a buyers’ market as it has been all year. Homes are currently taking 50 days on average to sell in Saskatoon with sellers realizing 97% of the asking price. “These statistics tell me that sellers who price to the market will realize a sale in much less time than the average of 50 days and close to their asking price. Those who do not price to market are typically responsible for the low sales to listing ratio.” Comments Yochim. “Buyers are more educated than at any other time and typically know where the market is at.

 There are positives in this quieter real estate market. The recent selling out of the much awaited River Landing condominium project in less than four days proves that location, location, location is key in any market conditions. This occurred in spite of an oversupplied condominium market with somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,000 multi-family units available for sale.

 “The best advice I can give to those who are needing to sell is to get sound pricing, marketing and timing advice from a professionally licensed and trained REALTOR® member of The Saskatoon Region Association of REALTORS®. Real estate is local to specific markets in Saskatoon and every seller’s situation is unique. Impartial and objective advice is critical in a successful sale of residential real estate.” cautions Yochim. REALTORS® also subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are dedicated to developing professional standards and continuing education in the real estate profession.

     JUST FOR FUN - ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO ...

• The average life expectancy for men was 47 years
• Fuel for cars was only sold in drug stores
• Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub
• Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone
• The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph
• The five leading causes of death were Pneumonia, Influenza, Tuberculosis, Diarrhea, Heart Attack and Stroke
• 2 out of every 10 adults could not read or write
• Coffee was 15 cents a pound
• Most women only washed their hair once a month.  Borax or egg yolks were used for shampoo
• Sugar cost 4 cents a pound