So begins the next exciting chapter in The Great Trail’s story. A MESSAGE FROM TCT CHAIR, NEIL YEATES: Trailside Highlights Moving forward with a new campaign—aptly named Deeply Moments to PROTECTING THE TRAIL FOR FUTURE Connected—the goal is to raise awareness and funds, while GENERATIONS protecting and enhancing our national treasure. Remember Who could have imagined 25 years ago that Canada would be Looking back over the past year, 1. Thank you to the federal government! home to the world’s longest network of multi-use trails? Many ALBERTA NOVA SCOTIA we are moved by the boundless They renewed their ongoing support may have thought it impossible to achieve this audacious goal. energy, commitment and gener- for the Trail with a further commitment In 2017/18, we saw the connection of the West Bragg Creek In July, government supporters, Trail partners, volunteers But, thanks to the incredible effort and support of our partners, osity that resulted in so many of $30 million, facilitated through our Trail in southern Alberta, giving to the communities of Bragg and donors gathered on the Salt Marsh Trail to celebrate the volunteers and donors throughout the country, we can all take Creek and the Kananaskis region access to spectacular connection of the Trail throughout Nova Scotia. successful outcomes. Each of the successful partnership with Parks Canada. pride in having created Canada’s national Trail. sections of The Great Trail. Nestled in a beautiful woodland, following highlights—points of 2017-2018 known locally as an ‘enchanted forest’, this 15-kilometre rural Big news from Cape Breton: the Bras d’Or Lake Water Route Photo: Catherine McKenna, Minister of pride and the outcome of reward- and wilderness greenway is ideal for hikers, joggers, cyclists, opened to the public. This beautiful 387-kilometre section Environment and Climate Change, at the Since the connection of The Great Trail coincided with my first Annual Report: horseback riders, cross-country skiers and snowshoers. In was developed with the support of local Trail volunteers and ing partnerships—fill us with National Connection Celebration in Ottawa. year as Chair of the TCT Board, this time has been particularly Calgary, the TCT pavilion was renovated to reflect The Great Indigenous communities located on the shores of Bras d’Or gratitude and encouragement: special for me. Trail brand. Lake, and connects the Trail with this UNESCO-designated The Meaning of Connection Biosphere Reserve. On that note, I would like to thank the members of the TCT The Guardian contributor Kevin Rushby (UK) spent a day on Board, a group of dedicated and passionate individuals from the High Rockies Trail. The Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and across Canada. Their vision and determination to deliver a Infrastructure Renewal helped manufacture and install connected Trail for all Canadians have been inspirational. This signage on all provincial roads that are part of The Great BRITISH COLUMBIA Trail network. year, we welcomed a number of new board members – James British Columbia celebrated full connection of The Great Trail Goulden (BC), Michael Lindsay (ON), Emma Mohns (ON) and Ron Hicks (BC). Neil Yeates in Banff National Park in B.C. on October 19, 2017. TCT Champion David Foster was NUNAVUT there, spreading good cheer. connection was ambitious, but we must now protect and Following the connection of the Itijjagiaq Trail in 2016, our I would also like to pay tribute to board members who have After two years of development and $430,000 of funding enthusiastic partners in Nunavut are working with TCT to retired in the past year – Cameron Clark, Mylène Forget, Eric encourage the development of the Trail so that future genera- from TCT, the Elk Valley Community Trail was officially research other Trail development opportunities that will Gionet, Ken Killin, Alan McDonald and Ruth Marr, as well as tions can discover it, use it and treasure it. connected to The Great Trail in August 2017. At sunrise on engage more communities along the Trail. our former Chair, Paul LaBarge. I am also grateful to all TCT Our new strategic plan will guide us as we work to increase National Aboriginal Day (June 21), the Cranbrook to Wardner 2. It was an action-packed summer. On August 26, we celebrated the cross-Canada Photos, left to right: staff, who continue to work exceptionally hard to promote Destination Trail, developed by TrailsBC, was renamed the A memorable performance by Canadian accessibility and nurture our relationships with Indigenous Chief Isadore Trail. Hosted by the Ktunaxa Nation Council, ONTARIO connection of The Great Trail with an unforgettable event at Major’s Hill Park in artist Cody Coyote / The Rt. Hon David and raise funds for the Trail, as well as to oversee its further communities, Trail groups and partners at all levels. the event celebrated the unveiling of interpretive signage The province celebrated the connection of its section of Ottawa. On the same day, over 200 events across Canada celebrated this tremen- Johnston and Mrs. Sharon Johnston development. developed for TCT. welcome attendees in Ottawa / TCT's We will preserve this living legacy by developing new Trail The Great Trail on August 26, with Her Honour LG Elizabeth dous achievement. The TCT celebratory pavilion – designed to thank donors who There have been many unforgettable moments during the Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. National Connection Celebration in Ottawa sections that showcase the majestic beauty of our Canadian Trail signage was added to the majority of provincial road- supported our Leadership Campaign – was also unveiled in Ottawa. The Canada 150 past year. On August 26, 2017, we celebrated the cross-Can- landscapes, converting roadways to greenways where ways, in collaboration with the British Columbia Ministry of TCT supported the development of one of Canada’s few Fund generously supported this national celebration of connection. ada connection of The Great Trail. Crowds of Trail supporters possible and assisting in the repair of damage caused by Transportation and Infrastructure. ‘floating’ trails! With the help of community-wide efforts, joined us in Ottawa, while 200 other celebrations were held natural disasters. TCT raised the funds to create the Hunter’s Bay boardwalk across the country on the same day. We also celebrated the Six travel writers from China, Germany and Australia experi- I feel a great sense of gratitude for the Trail whenever I enjoy in Huntsville, which provides an excellent waterfront path marvellous successes of the Chapter 150 Campaign, which enced sections of The Great Trail. for walkers and hikers. my favourite sections in the Rockies or in Gatineau Park. I raised the funds needed to make this bold dream a reality. invite you to use the Trail as well, and to discover your own MANITOBA Fourteen access points were installed along the Lake deep connection to it. Superior Water Trail. Also, TCT pavilions in Toronto, Ottawa, Although we celebrate this extraordinary feat, my fellow board The province celebrated the connection of its section of The North Bay, St. Thomas, Burlington, Caledon East and members and I know that the journey continues. We thought Great Trail on June 11, 2017. The event at FortWhyte Alive Uxbridge were renovated. coincided with the annual Eco Adventure Race, where partic- ipants put their orienteering skills to the test on foot, by bike and by boat. Manitoba is now home to 1,400 kilometres of PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND The Great Trail. The TCT pavilion in Charlottetown was upgraded to reflect The support of donors, partners, volunteers and all levels of The Great Trail brand. A MESSAGE FROM TCT PRESIDENT The development of a new greenway section began along the & CEO, DEBORAH APPS: government has been crucial to reaching our goal. In particu- South Whiteshell Trail near Penniac Bay in fall 2017, supported Leadership Negotiations concluded in 2017 to install 400 new signs on 3. A treasured keepsake was created. The Royal Canadian Hudson’s Bay made an impressive impact with its Grand OUR CONNECTION TO CANADA’S lar, I would like to thank the federal government. After making by a $25,000 grant from TCT. Prince Edward Island’s Confederation Trail in 2018. 4. their matching contribution to the Chapter 150 Campaign, Mint launched a rectangular silver coin to celebrate the 25th Portage fundraising program. The multi-faceted program, NATIONAL TRAIL RUNS DEEP BOARD OF DIRECTORS they then renewed their support to the Trail with a recent $30 German travel writers Carolin Steig & Martin Merten explored anniversary of The Great Trail in August 2017. The design of which raised $1 million for TCT, included a collection of Since the beginning of this bold project, Trans Canada Trail The Great Trail. QUEBEC million commitment. the coin inspired the design for the new Point Zero Markers. commemorative fundraising merchandise (mugs, t-shirts, Neil Yeates - CHAIR has made incredible strides in creating a cross-Canada trail. Quebec celebrated the full connection of its section of They will be installed in Victoria, Tuktoyaktuk, Windsor and paddles, hoodies and more) as well as a journey that saw Japman Bajaj As such, the past year will remain one of the most important in Even after such a monumental year, the Trail’s journey is The Great Trail on January 26, 2018. Guests enjoyed NEW BRUNSWICK Cape Spear in 2018. Jim Bishop our history. Thanks to our enthusiastic supporters across the far from over. We look forward to deepening Canadians’ numerous activities along Le P’tit Train du Nord linear park a team of adventurers complete a three-month portage Jasmine Brown One of New Brunswick’s many beautiful Trail sections was in Val-David, organized by the Corporation du parc linéaire country, The Great Trail now stretches for more than 24,000 connection to the Trail by protecting and enhancing our Photo, from left: Dakota Whitecap First Nation Councillor Dwayne across the country.