$232K allocated for Sault area Trans Canada Trail enhancements

Attention local adventurers!

Some of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT) systems around the Sault Ste. Marie area are about to get enhancements due in part to $232,350 in funding from the Government of Canada, MP Terry Sheehan announced in a news release issued today. 

This announcement comes as part of a pan-Canadian announcement of $4M in 119 projects, as part of TCT’s annual Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) program, which is funded by Parks Canada.  

This funding will provide improvements to:

• Northern Community Centre Multi-Use Path and Bridge
• Algoma Trail Network - Trail Enhancement Project Hiawatha Highlands
• The Great Tail - Ojibway Park - Waterfront Trail - Garden River First Nation
• Pancake Bay and Batchawana Bay Provincial Park Trail System

"Our Government is proud to be among the many contributors for improvements to the Trans Canada Trail," Sheehan said in the news release.   

"Locally, we have some of the most spectacular sections of the trail providing opportunities to residents and visitors to get outside and discover and connect with nature. Today's funding will ensure we can continue to experience the outdoors along the Trans Canada Trail in a safe, accessible and sustainable way for generations to come."

The full release is as follows:

Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, is pleased to announce $232,350 in funding from the Government of Canada through Trans Canada Trail (TCT) for local trail enhancements in the riding of Sault Ste. Marie.

This announcement comes as part of a pan-Canadian announcement of $4M in 119 projects, as part of TCT’s annual Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) program, which is funded by Parks Canada.  

This funding will provide improvements to: Northern Community Centre Multi-Use Path and Bridge, Algoma Trail Network- Trail Enhancement Project Hiawatha Highlands, The Great Tail - Ojibway Park - Waterfront Trail - Garden River First Nation and Pancake Bay and Batchawana Bay Provncial Park Trail System.  

Since April 2018, the Trans Canada Trail Capital Improvement Plan funding program has invested over $16.4M toward 417 trail projects across every province and territory, with a value of supported trail projects exceeding $106M. See a map of CIP-funded trail projects.  

This trail infrastructure investment comes at a time when Canadians are seeking opportunities to access outdoor spaces in ways that allow them to connect to nature, to their communities and to one another.  People everywhere have felt the impact of COVID-19 on their families, their livelihoods and their way of life. The Trail and trail infrastructure are critical to how Canadians live, work, travel and play. 

In a year that saw trail use increase by 50 per cent nationwide as Canadians sought refuge from social isolation, connection to nature and to one another in safe ways, investment in trail infrastructure remains deeply relevant as Canada emerges from COVID-19. Canadians reap critical health, social and economic benefits from trails, and continued trail investment, particularly during this extraordinary time, improves citizens’ quality of life and meets the needs of growing communities while boosting domestic tourism and creating jobs at a time when they are most needed.  

About Trans Canada Trail
The Trans Canada Trail is the world’s longest network of multi-use recreational trails, stretching for more than 27,000 kilometres through every province and territory. It’s a showcase of Canada’s diverse landscapes and cultures, and a sustainable national asset that fosters unity, collaboration and connectedness. Our national trail is managed by local trail groups and partners who work in conjunction with Trans Canada Trail, a registered charity.

Quotes:  
"Our Government is proud to be among the many contributors for improvements to the Trans Canada Trail.   Locally, we have some of the most spectacular sections of the trail providing opportunities to residents and visitors to get outside and discover and connect with nature. Today's funding will ensure we can continue to experience the outdoors along the Trans Canada Trail in a safe, accessible and sustainable way for generations to come."
-Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament, Sault Ste. Marie  

"These investments represent an opportunity to contribute to local economies, to environmental sustainability, and to the health and well-being of not only our community but to all Canadians. We are honored to be a part of the world’s longest trail network displaying our natural beauty, diverse landscapes and contributing to our connectedness as a country. I want to thank the Government of Canada for their contribution and the many local trail groups and partners who work in conjunction with the Trans Canada Trail to maintain it." - Christian Provenzano, mayor of Sault Ste. Marie  

“Garden River First Nation and Ojibway Park are ecstatic to be a part of this enchanting new trail development with Trans Canada Trail Capital Improvement Plan. We welcome all visitors to explore our natural medicines, species and learn more about our Anishinaabe culture, land and history. When we as Indigenous people narrate our own history from our worldview - this is how we heal and reconcile as one nation.  

Our Economic Resource and Community Development Unit along with its respective partners did an amazing job administering the project and bringing it to fruition. We are eager to see further enhancements that will bring economic benefits to Ojibway Park, education of our peoples and another avenue for physical exercise.”  - Chief Andy Rickard, Garden River First Nation  

“We are proud to make these important investments, as they represent an opportunity to improve the lives of Canadians by contributing to local economies, to environmental sustainability, and to the mental health and well-being of citizens. They further support our commitment to making the Trail more diverse, inclusive and accessible. We are particularly honoured by the work, support and guidance of our Indigenous partners, whose knowledge and expertise in sustainable land stewardship guide our work nationwide.” - Eleanor McMahon, president and CEO, Trans Canada Trail