Fort McMurray – Athabasca – Brian Jean, MP for Fort McMurray – Athabasca, and the National Trails Coalition (NTC), announced today that four projects across Northern Alberta have benefitted from $272,300 in federal funding, which will create jobs and revitalize local trails.

“Under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Government of Canada is investing in developing these well-used recreational trails in our communities,” said MP Jean.  “As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, we are boosting local economies by creating jobs, getting shovels in the ground, and enhancing trails for outdoors enthusiasts.”

National Trails Coalition funding was received locally by snowmobile trail operators: the Athabasca River Runners, who received $23,000 for their West Baptiste Trails, and the McMurray Sno Drifters Association who will benefit from $7,300 for the Thickwood Tower Trail. Federal funds were also allocated to the Calling Lake Trail Association for a multi-use trail, and the Athabasca Recreational Trails Society for their Redwater Bridge Project.

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.

These projects are 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.

“This $25 million funding initiative has, for the first time in trail development history, made it possible for a growing network of multiple-use trails to be built across Canada,” stated Terry Norman, National Coordinator for the NTC. “With over 500 shovel-ready trail projects approved for completion by March 2010, the NTC believes this is the first step in providing trail infrastructure and tourism products that will be used by millions of Canadians and visitors to Canada,” Norman added.

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