Manitoba makes a major investment in the Trail

Left to right: Trails Manitoba Chair Ian Hughes, The Honourable Drew Caldwell, Minister of Municipal Government for Brandon East, TCT Foundation Co-Chair Hartley Richardson, and Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger. Photo: Government of Manitoba

This past November, the Government of Manitoba committed to contributing $800,000 to the development of the TCT in the province, in an effort to help ensure full connection by 2017.

TCT Champion and Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger made the announcement at a press conference held in the legislative building in Winnipeg, accompanied by TCT Foundation Co-Chair Hartley Richardson and Trails Manitoba Chair Ian Hughes.

“The Trans Canada Trail unifies all Canadians while at the same time making Manitoba’s parks, lakes and wildlife more accessible to tourists from around the world,” said Premier Selinger.

“Whether it’s in our rural or urban communities, the completion of this Trail will preserve green space and promote conservation, create jobs by stimulating tourism, and inspire healthy and active living.”

The funding will help to connect almost 30 kilometres of the Trail including the Crocus Trail, Red River Floodway Crossing, and Swan Lake First Nation Trail.

The Crocus Trail connects Manitoba to Saskatchewan via the Duck Mountain Provincial Trail in Saskatchewan. The Red River Floodway Crossing has been officially recognized as one of the world’s leading engineering marvels. The Swan Lake First Nation Trail project would entail rerouting a section of the Trail through the Ojibway Reserve in south-central Manitoba, creating a space for intercultural understanding, and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Swan Lake First Nation.

A portion of the funding will also go toward the overall upkeep of the TCT in Manitoba, maintaining it for future generations to enjoy.

“This contribution will have a tremendous impact on the development of the Trail in Manitoba and will help the TCT, and our partner Trails Manitoba, to take an important step forward in reaching our bold goal of full Trail connection by Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017,” said Hartley Richardson.

Manitoba’s portion of the TCT is currently 92 per cent connected, with 112 kilometres left to develop in time for 2017.