Matt DeCourcey joins Trans Canada Trail as Director of Government Affairs

A former Member of Parliament, DeCourcey brings 20 years of experience in government and the not-for-profit sector to the role

Ottawa – Trans Canada Trail is pleased to announce that Matt DeCourcey has joined the organization as Director of Government Affairs.

A public policy leader, community builder and former Member of Parliament, DeCourcey brings 20 years of experience in advising decision makers at the local, national and international levels to the role.

“The Trans Canada Trail is a connective tissue that links people from coast to coast to coast,” says DeCourcey. “Having grown up on the Trail, and enjoyed its physical and mental health benefits, I want to ensure our nationwide trail system remains a source of pride for future generations, including my son.”

Over the course of his career, DeCourcey has worked with international NGOs, post-secondary and business leaders and Canada’s ministers of finance, foreign affairs and immigration.

DeCourcey was elected Member of Parliament for Fredericton in 2015, representing one of the most populous ridings in New Brunswick. During his time in the House of Commons, he worked to expand critical transport and trade infrastructure, advance preventative healthcare, and significantly increase the population and workforce of New Brunswick.

His advocacy led to important investments in Fredericton’s famous trail infrastructure, including the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge, which crosses the Saint John River to connect the City of Fredericton’s Northside Trail to the Valley and South Riverfront Trails and the Lincoln Trail.

DeCourcey has also worked with vulnerable children in the global south and represented the Government of Canada in such fora as the United Nations Security Council and the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe.

“I am very excited to welcome Matt to the Trans Canada Trail team,” says Mathieu Roy, Chief Executive Officer of Trans Canada Trail. “He has a very clear personal passion for the Trail and he brings unique experience as a leader in government and the not-for-profit sector to the organization. Matt will play a key role in continuing and improving the strong relationship we’ve enjoyed with the federal government as well as provincial, regional and municipal governments across the country.”

Fluent in English and French, DeCourcey is an accomplished athlete, coach and official at the collegiate level; an adjunct professor; and a mentor and member of Canada’s leading public policy and leadership development fellowship: Action Canada.

A proud New Brunswicker, DeCourcey grew up running, biking, and enjoying the natural beauty along Fredericton’s Morell Park and Riverfront Trails. He now lives in Peterborough, Ontario, where he can be found, amongst other trails, having fun on the Jackson Creek Kiwanis Trail with his toddler son.