Our Government is committed to providing venues that encourage Canadians to enjoy healthy outdoor recreational activities and Canada's pristine natural beauty. We are also committed to completing special legacy initiatives to mark Canada's 150th anniversary in 2017.
In keeping with these objectives, Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that the government will provide additional support over the next four years to the Trans Canada Trail to complete a 24,000 kilometre (km) recreational trail that winds through every province and territory from coast to coast to coast. The support will be provided in the form of a matching fund.
Nearly 17,000 km or 72 per cent of the Trail is already operational. Government support, provided through Budget 2013 and administered by Parks Canada, will be used to match public contributions with a view to complete the remaining 7,000 kilometres of Trail by 2017. The Government of Canada will contribute one dollar for every two dollars raised by the Trans Canada Trail, up to $25 million over four years. All support received from non-federal donors, such as individuals, families, organizations, corporations, foundations and municipalities are eligible to be matched.
This support is in addition to the $35 million in funding already provided by the Government of Canada, including $15 million from the Department of Canadian Heritage for Trail construction, and $10 million from Parks Canada in October 2010.
The project will provide the following benefits to Canadians:
- National Legacy: creating a sustainable gift to future generations.
- Health: inspiring active living and transportation.
- Environment: preserving green space and promoting conservation.
- Education: deepening awareness of Canada's history, culture and natural heritage.
- Economic Development: The Trail is expected to generate millions of dollars in economic benefits in the years to come by creating local jobs and supporting the tourism industry.
What is the Trans Canada Trail?
Initiated in 1992 as a project to celebrate Canada's 125th anniversary, the Trans Canada Trail is one of the world's longest networks of multi-use recreational trails. Once fully connected, it will stretch nearly 24,000 kilometres from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic oceans, through every province and territory, linking nearly 1,000 communities and all Canadians.
Through collaborative efforts with stakeholders and community groups, the Trans Canada Trail strives to build and promote a sustainable Trail network that will become a national icon and legacy for future generations of Canadians. The vision for the Trail is that it will be the national context for Canadians to explore and discover their natural and cultural heritage; that it will encourage active living and healthy lifestyles; that it will become a key tourism destination for international visitors to experience the Canadian outdoors, culture, people and places; that it will contribute to meaningful economic sustainability; and that it fosters community involvement and national pride.
The trail is designed to accommodate a variety of activities, including hiking, cycling, horseback-riding, cross-country skiing, canoeing and snowmobiling. Four out of five Canadians live within 30 minutes of the Trail.
Trail sections are owned, operated and maintained by local organizations, provincial authorities, national agencies and municipalities across Canada.
The Trans Canada Trail is represented by provincial and territorial organizations that are responsible for championing the cause of the Trail in their region. These provincial and territorial partners, together with local trail-building organizations, are an integral part of the Trans Canada Trail and are the "driving force" behind its development.
The goal is to connect the completed Trail as a continuous route from coast to coast to coast by 2017, the 25th anniversary of the Trail and Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation.
Additional support
The Trans Canada Trail has received support from Canadians from all regions and all walks of life. More than 125,000 Canadians have helped build the Trail by donating to the development and promotion of the Trail. Donors and sponsors are recognized in the Trail's 86 red-roofed pavilions.
Major corporations, foundations and all levels of government have contributed to the Trail.
By:nes.gc.ca