The healing pools

The healing pools in Canada’s national parks have long served as places to re-energize. During and after the First World War Canadian soldiers came here for rest and recuperation. Some stayed at a rest camp near the mouth of the Spray River. Others were patients at the Brett Hospital which was located near the present-day National Park Administration grounds. The soldiers enjoyed soaking in the hot springs.Approximately 620,000 Canadians served in the First World War, this from a population of only eight million. Of the approximately 425,000 Canadians who served overseas, between 60,000-70,000 soldiers and Nursing Sisters were killed in action or died from injury or disease, and over 170,000 were wounded. The emblem of the Canadian Forces topped by a St. Edward’s Crown.