Trans Canada Trail awards $3.1 million in grants to fund Trail infrastructure across Canada

April 22, 2020 (Montréal, Québec) – Trans Canada Trail (TCT) announced today that it will commit $3.1 million in grants, funded through its 2020-2021 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) funding program. This year, TCT is pleased to support 77 organizations and volunteer groups, who operate, maintain and enhance The Great Trail of Canada.

The Capital Improvement Plan funding program leverages additional investments from other provincial, territorial, regional and federal programs at a local level. Together, TCT and these stakeholders will assume the cost of this critical capacity-building effort, estimated at $36.2 M nationally.

TCT acknowledged that this investment comes at a time when Canadians, during this period of social isolation, are seeking opportunities to access outdoor spaces in ways that allow them to connect to nature, to their communities and to one another.

“We know that Canadians are finding comfort in accessing outdoor spaces, and we are in constant communication with trail users via our social media channels, our trail partners and volunteers across the country. As we cope together we are encouraging Canadians to enjoy the beauty of The Great Trail – with all of its physical and mental health benefits –  in physically distant and socially connected ways, consistent with recommendations from Public Health, leaving two metres of space between them,” said Eleanor McMahon, President & CEO, Trans Canada Trail.

“We know too that these investments represent an opportunity to, when restrictions are lifted, contribute to local economies, to environmental sustainability, and to the health and well-being of Canadians. We are honoured to be working with governments and partners across the country as part of the #TeamCanada approach that includes providing support to Canadians now, as we work through the Covid-19 pandemic together, as well as planning for how we can provide support as part of economic and social recovery planning,” McMahon added.

“In this context in particular, we want to thank all of our partners, our federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments for their funding and support, our local trail partners and our volunteers who work so diligently and passionately to help us deliver our trail projects, and our donors and sponsors who continue to contribute so generously to the sustainability of The Great Trail,” she noted.

Projects approved for a CIP grant will enhance trails and communities in every province and territory. They include:

• Studies, construction and signage projects, led by local trail groups, municipalities and Indigenous communities
• Conversion of roadway sections to greenway
• Signage and wayfinding
• Improved accessibility
• Environmental stewardship

For media inquiries, please contact: media@tctrail.ca  

To join the conversation, use: @TheGreatTrail #TeamCanada #TrailsMatter #ActiveTransportation #EarthDay2020

About The Great Trail of Canada

Stretching for more than 27,000 kilometres and profiling Canada’s diverse landscapes and cultures, The Great Trail – created by Trans Canada Trail – is the world’s longest network of recreational multi-use trails. With the valued support of partners, donors, volunteers and all levels of government, The Great Trail links over 15,000 communities from coast to coast to coast.

About Trans Canada Trail

Trans Canada Trail promotes and assists in the development and use of The Great Trail of Canada by supporting success at the local level in the continued improvement and enhancement of this national network. This involves creating more adventures by developing new Trail sections, converting more roadways to greenways, making the Trail more accessible, funding emergency repairs and strengthening relationship with Indigenous communities.