The Government of Canada invests $30M to enhance and maintain The Great Trail

OTTAWA, Sept. 4, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, announced an investment of $30 million over four years to enhance and maintain The Great Trail.

The Trans-Canada Trail, now called The Great Trail, is a national initiative that began in 1992 with the goal of developing a network of recreational trails that would stretch across Canada. Today, The Great Trail is connected, linking 15,000 communities, including every provincial and territorial capital, and spanning 24,400 kilometres of land and water routes through urban, rural and wilderness landscapes, from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic Oceans.

Now that the Great Trail network is connected, the Government of Canada is investing $30 million through Budget 2017 to support the improved safety, accessibility, and sustainability of The Great Trail, as well as enrich the visitor experience along its route for all types of users.

The Government of Canada would also like to congratulate Trans-Canada Trail and its Foundation and the many communities, provincial and territorial partners, and trail organizations who have come together to make the world's longest network of recreational trails a reality.

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to be among the many contributors to The Great Trail. The Great Trail provides opportunities for people from coast-to-coast-coast to discover and connect with nature. Today's funding will ensure that Canadians can continue to experience the outdoors along the Great Trail in a safe, accessible and sustainable way for generations to come."

The Honourable Catherine McKenna,
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

"We are very grateful to the Government of Canada and to Minister McKenna for their support and their trust. Although we celebrated the extraordinary achievement of the cross-Canada connection of The Great Trail in 2017, we know that the journey continues and that we must now protect our national Trail and encourage its development so that future generations can discover it, use it and treasure it."

Neil Yeates,
Chair, Trans Canada Trail Board of Directors

Quick Facts

• This funding is being delivered through the Parks Canada Agency.
• The Great Trail was connected on August 26th, 2017. It is the longest network of recreational trails in the world and offers a wide range of activities along greenways, waterways, and roadways.
• The Great Trail crosses five Parks Canada's places including; Fundy National Park, the Rideau Canal National Historic Site, Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area, Pukaskwa National Park, and Banff National Park.
• The Great Trail is also within one kilometer of 41 additional national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas managed by Parks Canada.
• To celebrate the first anniversary of the unification of The Great Trail, Canadians are encouraged to participate in The Great Trail Treasure Hunt. The contest began on August 26th and ends on October 31st, 2018.

Related Links

• The Great Trail
• Parks Canada
• The Great Trail Treasure Hunt

SOURCE Parks Canada