(Friday, March 6, 2008 – PETERBOROUGH, ON)  “More families, outdoor enthusiasts and tourists will be able to enjoy Canada’s outdoor heritage thanks to the Conservative Government’s job-creating investment in safer, more accessible trails across Canada,” said Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough Riding.

“Canada’s trail network helps us get to the heart of our amazing outdoors.  It enriches the health and enjoyment of countless Canadians,” said MP Del Mastro. “As part of Canada’s    Economic Action Plan to create jobs and help our economy, our government is designating  $25 million to build and improve these wonderful outdoor resources.”

In order 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 in 2009-2010.  This investment in Canada’s outdoor heritage will create jobs, pour money into the local economy, and help to attract more tourists to the Peterborough Riding.
 
This program will be jointly funded by provincial, territorial, municipal or private funding, and will be administered in partnership with the National Trails Coalition, a joint venture made up of the three non-profit organizations. They include the Canadian Trails Federation, Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations and the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council.
 
“Not only will this funding help more Canadians, tourists and families explore Canada’s natural splendor from coast to coast,” said MP Del Mastro, “It will also inject needed stimulus into  communities like ours right across the country.”
 
National Trails Coalition Chairman Terry Norman called the investment “a major boost to all forms of trail-based tourism and recreational activities."