Let’s Connect the Trans Canada Trail by 2017!
In 1992, the Trans Canada Trail was founded to celebrate Canada’s 125th anniversary, and this began the construction of one of the world’s largest network of recreational trails across Canada. Trans Canada Trail is a non-profit organization with a mission to “promote and assist in the development and use of the trails in every province and territory.” After many great years with these beautiful trails, TCT has taken on an exciting new project: To unify all the trails across Canada. Although this is 80% complete, TCT hopes to connect the entire country from coast to coast to coast with spectacular trails by Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017.
The Trans Canada Trail encompasses almost 500 individual trails within all the provinces and territories. Each trail provides very different opportunities to explore Canada’s natural side, but they all have incredibly stunning views. Currently, over 18,000 kilometres of trail have been developed. These trails have attracted millions of Canadians and international tourists from near and far to experience the beauty of Canada’s great outdoors. Whether one is with family, friends, or on their own, there are so many ways to discover Canada’s diverse landscapes through the trails. Popular choices include hiking, cycling, horseback riding, canoeing, skiing, and snowmobiling.
Once the project is complete, the trail will cover almost 24,000 kilometres from the Atlantic, to Pacific, to Arctic oceans. The trail will offer a chance to self-immerse into a world of peace and tranquility. Not only will this trail provide a beautiful visual experience, but it will also establish a national legacy, promote active living, preserve green space, stimulate tourism, create jobs, and enrich awareness about Canadian culture, history, and heritage.
Thousands of hard working people are putting immense efforts into this project. Mrs. Laureen Harper as honorary campaign chair, and LaBarge Weinstein partner, Paul C. LaBarge as chair are leading the project, along with many other great Canadians. A few of the others involved includes Olympic gold medallist, Cassie Campbell-Pascall; Bonnie Brooks, vice chair of Hudson’s Bay Company; astronomer, Chris Hadfield; musician, Sarah McLachlan; television icon, Rick Mercer; actress, Kim Cattrall, and many more! Alongside the TCT team, there are hundreds of small, Canadian trail organizations that are working to build the trail across the country. These organizations have been and continue to be the backbone of the project. They have been planning, setting up, fundraising, and promoting the trail since the beginning.
With just over 5,700 more kilometres of trail to build over just less than two years, Trans Canada Trail has definitely set an ambitious goal for themselves. It will require lots of hard work and support, but Canada always knows how to rise to a challenge, and this will certainly be worth it in the end. It is predicted that four out of every five Canadians will have a trail within 30 minutes of their homes, and the trail will link close to 1,000 Canadian municipalities, creating a great feeling of unification, despite the vastness of our country. The completion of the trail in 2017 will be a wonderful 150th anniversary gift to Canada, as well as the people living in it.
