Sea to Sky Trail, BC © Petr Basel Annual report 2019-2020 Find your place on The Great Trail of Canada Our mission We will promote and assist in the development and use of The Great Trail – created by Trans Canada Trail and our partners – by supporting success at the local level in the continued improvement and enhancement of this national network. A message from Michael Lindsay Chair of the TCT Board of Directors I have been a supporter of Trans Canada Trail since I was an elementary school student. In those days, my three-leaf TCT pin occupied a position of pride next to my Canadian Fitness Award badges – meaningful emblems of outdoor rituals, which I knew I shared with Canadians across the country. Later in life, I literally fell in love together. We are confident that, The people who make this cross- whilst on the Trail in Ottawa. In under her leadership, TCT will Canada trail a reality are motivated the early days of our relationship, continue to uphold its mission by something much greater than the my wife and I would go running of developing, enhancing and prospect of personal reward. They together on a section of the Trail protecting The Great Trail for joined this national effort to create near Parliament Hill. Since then, generations to come. and sustain a Canadian legacy we have been fortunate enough that enshrines the importance of to explore stretches of the Trail My friends, The Great Trail is an connecting with one another, of across the country – perhaps most important part of our national getting outdoors, of highlighting our memorably in the northernmost identity. But this line, which shared history and of protecting our latitudes of Yukon. connects three oceans, is a very environment. fragile one. Our work to enhance Being a board member has maintain and promote the Trail is We have accomplished so many continued to deepen my connection not done. great things together, and I’m to this Trail and everything it has excited to begin the next chapter. to offer. I am honoured and grateful The projects and activities you’ll for the opportunity to serve as read about in this report reflect our Michael Lindsay and his wife Carly on the the new Chair of the TCT Board of unrelenting dedication to make the Kinsol Trestle on Vancouver Island, BC. Directors. Trail more accessible and inclusive, to convert interim roadways As I take on this new role, I would to greenways, to strengthen like to extend my personal thanks our relationships with partner to Neil Yeates, who retired as Chair organizations and Indigenous TCT of the Board in early 2020. It would communities, and to provide Board of Directors be difficult to overstate the role that signage that showcases our shared Neil played in the success of our history and diverse communities. Michael Lindsay, Chair capital campaign, and under his Japman Bajaj In recent months, we've faced leadership, we have formed strong Ian Cullwick challenges unlike any in our and indispensable bonds with the Eric Gionet lifetimes. For me, running along federal government and entities like Frédéric Gonzalo the shores of Lake Ontario, as Parks Canada. James Goulden well as through Seguin Falls, has Graham Green I am also thrilled my appointment brought me peace of mind. It Ron Hicks coincides with the addition of makes me feel connected to other Carolyn MacKay Eleanor McMahon to the TCT Canadians doing the same in Michele McKenzie family as our new President & CEO. Whitehorse, Winnipeg, Wawa and Emma Mohns Eleanor not only brings a wealth Whycocomagh. Valerie Pringle of experience within the public, Patrice Ryan private and non-profit sectors, but I am also encouraged by the also a wonderful enthusiasm for dedicated and talented staff, and Robyn Seetal Gill Winckler the outdoors, and a deep belief in by the visionary members of our the value of bringing Canadians corporate and foundation boards. Neil Yeates 1 A message from Eleanor McMahon President & CEO of Trans Canada Trail I would like to thank you for being part of a community that loves and supports The Great Trail of Canada. It is an honour for me to take on this new role, and to join this amazing group of donors, trail builders and supporters. Our successes are thanks to people like you, and I am excited to contribute to the wonderful legacy that you have helped to create. Included in that support are the In my own life, I have often turned by the potential in sharing our thousands of volunteers across to the outdoors, to nature and to mutual passion for the land and Canada who shape the Trail – trails for respite and healing. Indeed, the prosperity inherent in working in particular, our TCT Board of many of us have found the same together. Directors and our TCT Foundation solace on trails at difficult moments As an entity that connects all the Board. I want to recognize and thank recently. provinces and territories of Canada, them for the time, talent and passion The achievements of last year it is TCT’s duty to be a leader in that they bring to their roles. highlight the solid foundation we ensuring that everyone has safe My arrival at TCT coincided with have built, and from which we can and equal access to trails. We one of the most difficult periods move forward. As we emerge from acknowledge that in Canada, we that Canada has ever faced. The the pandemic, TCT is ready to play are not free of the kind of systemic COVID-19 pandemic began as our its part in Canada’s social and discrimination that creates unfair fiscal year ended, and highlighted economic recovery – in terms of barriers. Either through our actions the many challenges ahead. tourism, physical and mental health or inactions, racism continues to However, it also reminded us of the and, of course, getting Canadians exist. To tackle this, we are taking important role that The Great Trail is outside again. a hard look at our efforts to make playing, and will continue to play in We will keep up our discussions The Great Trail more inclusive, the future. As stewards of the Trail, with governments to ensure the Trail examining how we can add inclusion we have the privilege of establishing continues to be a vehicle for the requirements to our programs, and that sustainability. hopes, dreams and aspirations of growing our knowledge of minority- Despite the pandemic, our work everyone who calls Canada home. specific issues and sharing our has continued with vigour and We thank governments and elected platform with members of our enthusiasm, thanks to our incredibly officials from across Canada for community who have been affected talented and dedicated staff. I’m their ongoing support and passion by racism. We will also make grateful for their unwavering for the Trail. sure this work is reflected in our commitment, and for the support conversations with our government As an organization, we simply would partners. they have given to me as I joined not be where we are without the the team. The Trail is well served by support, the generosity and the In closing, I want to thank my their skills and abilities, and I feel knowledge of our Trail partners. predecessor, Deborah Apps. fortunate to work with them. We appreciate them and their Her leadership, stewardship and The outdoors has always been a contributions to building and dedication laid the foundation for central part of my health, my well- sustaining the Trail – and, in the the exciting path ahead. I’m thrilled being and my career. As both a process, enhancing the lives of to have the opportunity to lead this former provincial minister in Ontario people we serve. organization on our shared journey onward. I look forward to connecting and the founder of the Share the To our Indigenous partners, we are Road Cycling Coalition, I was proud with you soon and moving forward grateful for your guidance, wisdom in fellowship. to support public policy changes and support. We are thankful for that put trails at the forefront, the opportunities to learn and to inviting everyone to enjoy them to grow in partnership, and are excited their fullest extent. 2 1 2 3 Deborah’s extensive work at TCT was honoured with A fond farewell to the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012. She was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in 2016 for her tireless dedication to the Trail. Thanks to her leadership, TCT was also DEBORAH APPS awarded the RCGS Gold Medal in 2018. Last year, we bid farewell to Deborah Apps, our We are sad to see Deborah go, but we were thrilled to President & CEO of 12 years who led our organization recognize her achievements with a special funding with distinction. program established in her honour. The Deborah Apps Born in Sunderland, England, Deborah moved to Legacy Fund, which many of our staff and donors northern Canada as a child with her family. Raised contributed to, will provide grants to Indigenous-led Trail in Uranium City, a small town on the border of projects across the country. Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, and later Everyone at TCT wishes Deborah the very best in her in Alberta, Deborah grew to love her new home and future endeavours, and we’re sure we’ll catch up with developed her longstanding respect for the landscapes her on the Trail soon! and cultures around her. Deborah first became involved with TCT in 2005 as 1.