East Coast Trail Association receives Government Funding

News Release

Federal and Provincial Investments totalling more than $1.2 million support trail upgrades and partnership with the Trans Canada Trail 

May 25, 2017 – St. John’s, NL – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 

Investments by the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in the East Coast Trail Association (ECTA) will help to further develop a key tourism asset on the Avalon Peninsula, allowing visitors to enjoy coastal and natural history combined with a unique cultural heritage experience. 

Seamus O’Regan, Member of Parliament for St. John’s South – Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today announced close to $950,000 in funding from ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund for two projects with the ECTA.  The Honorable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation also announced more than $275,000 from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for one of the projects. 

The ECTA is receiving an investment of $770,439 through ACOA, along with a Government of Newfoundland and Labrador investment of $275,181, to undertake trail hardening on 30 kilometres of wet sensitive areas between Cape St. Francis and Portugal Cove as well as to enhance and restore 62 kilometres of trail on the Southern Shore. 

The ECTA is also receiving an investment of $179,479 through ACOA to partner with the Trans Canada Trail for completion of the eastern link of a national initiative that will see Cape Spear designated as “Kilometre 0” of the Trans Canada Trail Network. The project includes improvements to 17.8 kilometres of trail between Fort Amherst and Cape Spear. 

Today’s funding announcement by the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will upgrade the trail and will generate over sixty weeks of employment for 18 trail crew.  The East Coast Trail attracts over 15,000 hikers annually (close to sixty per cent of whom are from outside of the province) and contributes more than $3.5 million annually to tourism spending in the province. 

 

Quotes

“The Government of Canada is committed to investing in important community and recreational infrastructure throughout the region. Investing in community infrastructure initiatives as well as projects that enhance business and tourism opportunities are among the best ways to spur economic growth, job creation and broad-based prosperity.” 

  • The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA 

“The Government of Canada is pleased to support groups like the East Coast Trail Association because of the important role they play in helping grow and strengthen the local economy.  These type of investments support the future growth and sustainability of our communities by helping to upgrade and improve the very places where we come together to welcome visitors, to reflect on our collective heritage and to take part in and promote healthy activities.” 

-      Seamus O’Regan, MP for St. John’s South – Mount Pearl

“The provincial government is proud to contribute over $275,000 to the East Coast Trail Association towards ongoing trail improvements. The East Coast Trail provides both residents and visitors an incredible outdoor experience, including picturesque sea stacks and fjords; scenic lighthouses and ecological reserves; whale watching and historic sites - the East Coast Trail truly has it all. I encourage everyone this summer to go out and explore it for yourself.” 

-      The Honorable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation  

"The East Coast Trail is a fine example of what can be accomplished when citizens, communities, and governments work together towards a shared vision”, said Randy Murphy, president of the East Coast Trail Association. “In just over 20 years that combined effort has built 300 kilometres of world-class hiking trail that attracts residents and visitors every year for the pleasures of hiking and coastal scenery.  The news today of government’s continuing commitment to the East Coast Trail is especially significant as we announce our partnership with Trans Canada Trail”. 

-      Randy Murphy, President, East Coast Trail Association

Contacts

Paul McGrath
Director, Public Affairs
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca 

Eric Humber
Media Relations Manager
Department of Tourism, Culture Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 709-725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca 

Randy Murphy
President
East Coast Trail Association
randy.murphy@eastcoasttrail.com
709-725-9811

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