Canada: Federal government launches $10 million National Recreational Trails Program

News release

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, the Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for New Brunswick and Minister of State (ACOA), and Jo-Anne Farquhar, President of the National Trails Coalition (NTC) today launched the National Recreational Trails Program.

Canada has a vast network of recreational trails which allow Canadians to experience the outdoors and appreciate this country’s natural beauty. Thanks to a partnership between the Government of Canada and the National Trails Coalition, $10 million will be available between 2014 and 2016 to help expand and rehabilitate Canada’s snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle and non-motorized trail system.

Now that the National Recreational Trails Program is “open for business”, local trail organizations across Canada are invited to submit project proposals directly to the National Trails Coalition over the next 45 days. The Coalition is responsible for selecting and approving projects.

Quick Facts

Economic Action Plan 2014 announced funding of $10 million over two fiscal years, 2014-15 and 2015-16, to expand and improve snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, off-road motorcycle and non-motorized recreational trails across the country through an agreement between the Government of Canada and the National Trails Coalition.

This funding will help build and renew multi-purpose trails for walking, running, cross-country skiing, biking, all-terrain vehicle use and snowmobiling.

Local trail organizations across Canada can now submit project proposals directly to the National Trails Coalition.

Between 150 and 200 projects are expected to be supported across Canada.

Quotes

“Our Government is pleased to renew its partnership with the National Trails Coalition and to announce the availability of $10 million for projects to expand and improve recreational and multi-purpose trails. By investing in trail infrastructure, the Government of Canada is encouraging job creation, linking communities and increasing recreational opportunities for Canadians. Through this agreement, the Government of Canada continues to support economic growth from coast to coast to coast while ensuring that Canadian communities remain among the best in the world to live.”

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

“The NTC was founded in the belief that trail users and volunteer trail builders/managers can achieve much more by working collaboratively and supporting each other’s goals. Thanks to the support of our Federal Government, trail user groups can now apply for project funding to facilitate trail building, refurbishment, and upgrade activities that will be beneficial to the long term sustainability of all forms of trail-based activities across Canada.”

Jo-Anne Farquhar, President of the National Trails Coalition Board of Directors

Associated Links

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

Organizations can access information, applications and guidelines for project proposal submissions at: www.ntc-canada.ca

To view trail projects previously funded by the Government of Canada under Economic Action Plan 2009, visit: http://www.ntc-canada.ca/news.php

For additional information on the New Building Canada Plan, visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/plan-eng.html

To learn more about the Government of Canada’s focus on jobs and the economy consult Canada’s Economic Action Plan at http://www.eap.gc.ca