Trans Canada Trail Announces Funding for 119 Trail Infrastructure Projects across Canada
Latest $4M funding brings four-year total investment to $16.4M with 417 projects impacting communities across Canada
Trans Canada Trail (TCT) is proud to announce its latest round of trail infrastructure investments of $4M in 119 projects across Canada.
Since April 2018, the Trans Canada Trail Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) funding program has invested over $16.4M toward 417 trail projects across every province and territory, with a value of supported trail projects exceeding $106M. Funding for the CIP is provided by the Government of Canada through Parks Canada. See a map of CIP-funded trail projects.
TCT is proud to play a role in enhancing local trails across Canada and, in turn, the quality of life and well-being of Canadians. The CIP funding program leverages additional investments from provincial, territorial and municipal governments as well as generous donors and philanthropists. TCT also provides essential financial support via granting programs to our trail partners in order to implement their priority projects.
The CIP program is open to all trail organizations that operate one of the over 500 sections of the Trans Canada Trail. The CIP provides financial support to develop, plan and implement trail infrastructure projects that enhance, improve and maintain existing trails, as well as facilitate the development of trail sections.
In a year that saw trail use increase by 50% nationwide, as Canadians sought refuge from social isolation, and a connection to nature and to one another in safe ways, investment in trail infrastructure remains deeply relevant as Canada emerges from COVID-19. Canadians reap critical health, social and economic benefits from trails, and continued trail investment, particularly during this extraordinary time, improves citizens’ quality of life and meets the needs of growing communities while boosting domestic tourism and creating jobs at a time when they are most needed.
“We are proud to make these important investments, as they represent an opportunity to improve the lives of Canadians by contributing to local economies, to environmental sustainability and to the mental health and well-being of citizens,” says Eleanor McMahon, President & CEO, Trans Canada Trail. “They further support our commitment to making the Trail more diverse, inclusive and accessible. For example, in 2020, we made significant strides toward increasing accessibility on even more trails across the country through an innovative partnership with AccessNow and the Canadian Paralympic Committee.”
“The work of maintaining, improving and developing the Trail for future generations simply doesn’t happen without the hard work and dedication of local trail organizations, local volunteers and our provincial/territorial partners. We are grateful to all across the country who contribute to building and maintaining local trails.”
“We are particularly honoured by the support and guidance of our Indigenous partners, whose knowledge and expertise in sustainable land stewardship guide our work nationwide,” she adds. “Working with our partners, funders and governments at all levels provides us with the opportunity to leverage investments that contribute to the sustainability of trails across Canada – work that is increasingly vital given the important role that trails will continue to play in the post-pandemic social and economic recovery.”
About Trans Canada Trail
The Trans Canada Trail is the world’s longest network of multi-use recreational trails, stretching for more than 27,000 kilometres through every province and territory. It’s a showcase of Canada’s diverse landscapes and cultures, and a sustainable national asset that fosters unity, collaboration and connectedness. Our national trail is managed by local trail groups and partners who work in conjunction with Trans Canada Trail, a registered charity. tctrail.ca
