[Egmont, August 13, 2009] - Today the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Egmont, and the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), were joined by Dawna McIvor for the National Trails Coalition (NTC) to announce that eight trail projects in Prince Edward Island will benefit from $383,500 in funding. This will revitalize local Island trails and make it easier for individuals and families to participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, running, snowmobiling and ATVing.
"Today's announcement is another way our government is acting to help families and individuals access high quality outdoor infrastructure to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle," said Minister of State Lunn. "This investment complements other important programs that are encouraging Canadians to get moving and get active, such as the Children's Fitness Tax Credit and Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RinC). Our Government is providing Canadians with new opportunities to engage in sport and physical activity."
"I am proud that our Government is investing in the development and upgrading of eight recreational trails in PEI," said Minister Shea. "We recognize that recreational trails enrich the health and enjoyment of countless families, tourists and sports enthusiasts. Enhancing the trail system in Prince Edward Island will give people the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the picturesque beauty of our great province."
This project is being supported through the Government of Canada's $25 million investment in recreational trails, part of the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan. The Government of Canada's investment will be matched by the NTC and their provincial, territorial, municipal or private funding partners. A first federal payment of $12.5 million was issued to the National Trails Coalition on July 30, 2009.
Applications for this funding were received between May 26, 2009 and June 26, 2009. With the intake for this funding now complete and projects approved, this first payment to the National Trails Coalition is allowing work to begin right away on over 500 projects.
"The NTC program is a very efficient way of investing taxpayer dollars in smaller infrastructure programs," commented Terry Norman, National Coordinator for the NTC. Norman added that "This demonstrates that the NTC cooperative model for nationwide trail development works, allowing for the first time ever in Canada, the strategic planning of trail projects in a coordinated manner."
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. For additional information, visit www.ntc-canada.ca.
The Government of Canada's 2009 Economic Action Plan is accelerating and expanding the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure across Canada with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over the next two years.
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 Canada's network of national trails through the Economic Action Plan.
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca. For more information on the Government of Canada's investments in infrastructure, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca
Contact:
Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of Canada's Minister of Transport
and Infrastructure
613-991-0700
Michelle Yao
Press Secretary
Office of Minister of State Gary Lunn
Tel: 819.934.1131
michelle.yao@pch.gc.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
Terry Norman
National Trails Coalition
Tel: 1-902-429-8810
Fax: 1-902-429-0287
tnorman@ntc-canada.ca
www.ntc-canada.ca
Backgrounder
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA-NATIONAL TRAILS COALITION PARTNERSHIP TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE TRAIL INFRASTRUCTURE
The Government of Canada will contribute $383, 500 towards the revitalization of 8 trail projects in Prince Edward Island. The eight projects are listed below:
| Recipient |
Project Name |
Amount Invested |
| Prince Edward Island Trails s |
Forest Hills Trail |
$17,000 |
| Prince Edward Island Trails Inc. |
Boughton River Trail |
$11,500 |
| Prince Edward Island Trails Inc. |
Iona Trail |
$26,500 |
| PEI Snowmobile Assoc. Inc. & Island Trails |
Confederation Trail |
$273,500 |
| Prince Edward Island Trails Inc. |
North Cape Trail |
$26,500 |
| PEI ATV Federation Inc. |
|
$10,000 |
| Prince Edward Island Trails Inc. |
Breadalbane Trail |
$9,500 |
| Prince Edward Island Trails Inc. |
Suffolk Trail |
$9,000 |
Recreational trails across our country are a key part of our outdoor heritage. They enrich the health and enjoyment of countless families, tourists and sports enthusiasts across Canada.
Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada is investing $25 million to improve over 450 recreational trails across Canada. This investment in Canada's outdoor heritage will help to quickly create jobs, support local economies, and attract tourists. The Government's contribution will be matched by the National Trails Coalition (NTC) and its partners. Cost-matching will occur on a project-by-project basis.
To provide the most rapid economic benefit possible during this challenging economic time, funding will go to shovel-ready projects that are set to break ground and be completed in 2009-2010.
The program is being administered by the NTC. The funds will be used to build, upgrade and renew recreational trails for a number of non-motorized and motorized uses, including hiking, walking, cycling, equestrian, cross-country skiing, ATVs, off-road motorcycles and snowmobiles. The NTC is responsible for reviewing and approving applications.
The NTC was formed in 2007 to bring trail-based organizations together in a collaborative manner to build, maintain and promote trail use across Canada. The NTC's member organizations are longstanding groups with considerable expertise in trail-building and funding administration.
The NTC is a non-profit organization whose member organizations provide stewardship of much of Canada's trail infrastructure. The NTC is composed of three not-for-profit organizations: the Canadian Trails Federation, the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council and the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations. Membership in these national organizations is drawn from subsidiary groups in each province or from the private sector through the contributions of manufacturers and distributors of trail-related vehicles, products and services. Virtually all forms of trail-based activity are represented under the Trails Coalition banner.
Additional information can be found on the National Trails Coalition website: www.ntc-canada.ca or www.cns-canada.ca.
