Our 2023–2024 Annual Report Is Here!
We’re thrilled to share Trans Canada Trail’s 2023–2024 annual report, which outlines our successes, thanks to the dedication of our amazing partners, supporters and volunteers.
Welcoming a new CEO and launching a new strategic plan
We were pleased to welcome a new CEO — Trans Canada Trail’s very own Mathieu Roy, who brings over two decades of experience in the infrastructure and environmental services, including with Trans Canada Trail! We also launched a new five-year strategic plan, which sets the course for the organization to continue our work to advocate for, steward and champion the coast-to-coast-to-coast trail system.
Supporting even more trail organizations, thanks to new funding streams and support programs
This past year, we also developed three new steams of our Trail Funding Program to help support trail groups and communities across Canada: the Climate Impact Emergency Support Fund, Minor Maintenance and Greenway Development. In addition, we’re thrilled to announce a new support program for First Nation, Métis and Inuit Communities, as well as for volunteer capacity-building and recognition initiatives, to help trail groups develop their organizations and show their appreciation for longtime volunteers.
Another new, exciting initiative was launched: our Planting for Tomorrow program, which encourages trail groups and trail-adjacent organizations to plant trees along the Trail in their area.
On top of these new programs, we continued to support trail groups and organizations through our Trail Care grants, our Trail Builders of Tomorrow programming, accessibility-mapping funding and more.
Celebrating an action-packed year
A lot has happened this year! We won the bid to co-host the 2024 World Trails Conference, taking place in Ottawa this fall. We published the results of a new study, “The Benefits of Connecting Canadians,” which outlines the economic, environmental and health benefits of trails (spoiler: there are a lot of benefits!). We marked the opening of an underslung pedestrian bridge and hosted a webinar with our partner, Propulso, about a new and innovative way to obtain trail visitation data. We also launched the first North American Trail Sector Survey in collaboration with our friends at American Trails, to capture the current state of the trail sector across North America.
In the fall of 2023, we launched the Made To Be On campaign, celebrating the spirit of connection, community and adventure, and emphasizing that the Trans Canada Trail is within reach for most people across Canada.
Remembering Trans Canada Trail’s co-founder and other longtime supporters
This past year, we mourned the loss of Trans Canada Trail’s visionary co-founder, Pierre Camu, at the age of 100. We also marked the passing of other longtime advocates of Trans Canada Trail: Allen McPherson, John (Jack) Rhind and Molly Demma — truly inspiring people who played a crucial role in supporting the Trail across the country.
Benefitting from the generosity of our partners and visionary donors
Our work would not be possible without the support of our generous partners and donors. Our corporate partners sponsored several of our programs and initiatives, including our accessibility-mapping program, Trail Care grants, among others.
This year, our supporters held fundraising events through athletic endeavours, online photography presentations and much more. From our exceptional partners to our TrailKeeper monthly donors: we are so appreciative of everything you do for Trans Canada Trail. We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who supports our organization, and in doing so, helps to make access to nature — and its physical and mental health benefits — available to more people across Canada.
Take a look at our annual report in an interactive format. Thank you to the dedicated volunteers and staff, from coast to coast to coast, who make this work possible.
