Trail work gets underway

From the National Trails Coalition

OTTAWA, ON – Work is set to begin across Canada on hundreds of outdoor trails, which will help to create jobs and enhance the country’s national trail system.

The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), and Terry Norman, National Coordinator, National Trails Coalition (NTC) announced on Thursday that over 500 trail projects will benefit from the Government’s $25 million investment in recreational trails, as part of the Government’s Economic Action Plan.

“As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, Canada is proud to provide the first payment of $12.5 million to the National Trails Coalition to get construction underway,” said Minister of State Lunn. “By partnering with the National Trails Coalition we are boosting local economies, creating jobs, getting shovels in the ground and providing Canadians with better quality trails.”

The funds will be used to create, upgrade and sustain recreational trails throughout Canada. The first payment of $12.5 million is part of the Government of Canada’s $25 million commitment that will be matched by the NTC and their provincial, territorial, municipal or private funding partners for eligible projects.

Applications for this funding were received between May 26 and June 26. With the intake for this funding now complete and projects approved, this first payment to the National Trails Coalition will allow work on trails to begin right away and generate economic activity in Canada’s construction sector.

“This $25 million funding initiative has, for the first time in trail development history, made it possible for a growing network of multiple-use trails to be built across Canada,” stated Terry Norman, National Coordinator for the NTC. “With over 500 shovel-ready trail projects approved for completion by March 2010, the NTC believes this is the first step in providing trail infrastructure and tourism products that will be used by millions of Canadians and visitors to Canada.”

The NTC is made up of the following non-profit organizations and their provincial/territorial affiliates: Canadian Trails Federation, Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations and the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council.

In June 2009, Prime Minister Stephen Harper was awarded the highest honour granted by the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO) for delivering on his commitment to expand and improve trail infrastructure through the Economic Action Plan.