Trans Canada Trail’s federal funding renewal
of $55 million announced in Budget 2022
Renewed federal funding ensures Trans Canada Trail can continue to protect, enhance and animate the longest trail network in the world
As announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland today in the 2022 Federal Budget, Trans Canada Trail is delighted that the Government of Canada has increased our funding of $11 million per year for 5 years. Trans Canada Trail thanks Minister Chrystia Freeland, Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault, Associate Finance Minister and Minister of Tourism Randy Boissonnault, and dozens of MPs from across Canada for their continued support of the 28,000-km Trans Canada Trail (the Trail), the longest trail network in the world.
“This is wonderful news; on behalf of our staff, our Boards of Directors, and our Trail groups and partners, I want to express sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the renewal of Trans Canada Trail’s federal funding, including over 700 trail supporters who contacted their MPs and sent letters to Ministers. Our Trail partners and the Trail groups we work with across Canada play a critical role in helping us to sustain the Trail ecosystem. They contacted MPs and spoke about the importance of sustaining and enhancing the Trail. I am ecstatic that our consistent advocacy efforts resulted in renewed funding from the Government of Canada”, said Eleanor McMahon, President & CEO, Trans Canada Trail.
“I also want to thank the Government of Canada, Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault and Parks Canada for supporting and advocating for the renewal of our annual funding. We look forward to working with the Government to enhance the Trail, honour the requests of hundreds of communities that want to join the Trail and be part of the longest trail network in the world,” McMahon added.
“Further to achieving coast to coast to coast connecting, Trans Canada Trail is working to deliver on initiatives outlined in our strategic plan – our Strategies for Success – which were created following significant national consultations. We look forward to continuing to execute on the promise and the benefits of Canada’s national trail, as outlined in those Strategies with programs and partnerships designed to deliver on leveraging tourism and economic development, health and wellness, and the conservation and access to nature opportunities that the Trail provides. With impacts of the changing climate already highly visible on the Trail, this funding renewal is vital both to us, and to the 500+ local Trail groups we support and work with in communities across the country,” McMahon said.
“Today’s announcement is the result of the support and dedication of thousands of volunteers across Canada. Trans Canada Trail would like to thank the supporters who wrote letters to their MPs, posted on social media, made videos and talked to their friends and neighbours about the importance of supporting and protecting the Trans Canada Trail. We are humbled by your commitment and your support,” McMahon noted.
Renewing Trans Canada Trail’s annual funding will benefit millions of trail users every day, in communities across Canada. Since the onset of the pandemic, trail use is up by close to 50 per cent, with 95 per cent of Canadians saying their increased use is in support of their mental health, and an equal number citing physical well-being as their impetus. Trans Canada Trail is proud to continue to preserve and enhance the Trail as a mechanism to enable Canadians to access nature and enhance their well-being.
Trans Canada Trail has seen over $100M of investment by successive federal governments since 1992. This renewed federal funding of $55 million allows us to continue our work as the largest investor in trail infrastructure in Canada.
View the media release here.
