Our History

Trans Canada Trail’s story is one of dreamers and doers. Albertan Bill Pratt and Quebecker Pierre Camu envisioned a coast-to-coast-to-coast trail connecting Canadians to nature and to one another.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Big Idea • 1st President & CEO •
1st Board Chair • 1st Trans Canada Trail Logo

HIGHLIGHTS

1993
The First Gift to the Trail

1994
Founding Sponsors • The Metre Program

HIGHLIGHTS

1998
2nd Board Chair • Federal Funding of $7.725 million • Railway Donations

2000
Canadian Military Engineers (CME) – Bridges for Canada • Millennial Water Relay

HIGHLIGHTS

2001
3rd Board Chair

2002
Discovery Panel Program

2003
4th Board Chair • Friendship Pavilion • Federal Funding of $15 million

2005
5th Board Chair

HIGHLIGHTS

2007
Water Routes

2008
2nd President & CEO • New Trans Canada Trail Logo

2009
New Governors Program • Greenways Vision & Core Principles • Olympic Torch Relay • Parks Canada

2010
6th Board Chair • Federal Funding of $10 million • Trans Canada Trail Foundation Established

HIGHLIGHTS

2011
7th Board Chair • Chapter 150 Campaign Launch • New Website Mapping Tool • 100% Connection: Newfoundland and Labrador

2012
Trans Canada Trail turns 20!

2013
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee

2014
Federal Funding of $25 million • 100% Connection: Prince Edward Island

HIGHLIGHTS

2016
The Great Trail • 100% Connection: Yukon, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nunavut

2017
Federal Funding of $1 million • 8th Board Chair • 100% Connection: Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta • Coast-to-Coast-to-Coast Connection!

2018
Chapter 150 Achievements • Federal Funding of $30 million • Trans Canada Trail Capital Improvement Plan Launch • The Great Trail Treasure Hunt

2019
The Great Trail of Canada • The Great Trail Treasure Hunt • Nature Sketch on the Trail • Honouring the Canadian Military Engineers • Accessibility Mapping Program Established • Trans Canada Trail Indigenous Advisory Committee Established

2020
9th Board Chair • 4th President & CEO • National Guidelines for Responsible Trail Operations • Great Canadian Hike • Outland Youth Employment Program (OYEP) – Trans Canada Trail Pilot Module

HIGHLIGHTS

2021
Old name, new look: Say Hello to Your New Trans Canada Trail!
• New Mission and Vision • Six Strategies for Success • Commitment to Indigenous Reconciliation • Great Canadian Hike • 3rd Trans Canada Trail Foundation Board Chair • Accessibility Mapping Program Expanded • Outland Youth Employment Program – Trans Canada Trail Module Launched • Dianne Whelan Completes 6-year Journey on the Trail • National Guidelines for Classifying Multi-use Trails in Canada

2022
Trans Canada Trail turns 30! • Federal Funding of $55 million • Trail Care Grant Program Launched • Peace by Chocolate • Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games Torch Relay along the Trans Canada Trail • The Amazing Race Canada