Tag: canadian trail tourism

Say Hello to Your New Trans Canada Trail!

June 8, 2021

Old name, new look

You may have noticed that things look a little different these days on our website, social media pages, and maybe even trail signs. As of June 1, 2021, the name of The Great Trail of Canada has changed back to its original name, and is once again known as the iconic Trans Canada Trail.

The background

Back in 2016, we decided to separate the name of our organization (Trans Canada Trail) from the name of the physical trail (The Great Trail), as a way to celebrate and highlight the significant milestone of connection in 2017.

Charting our course for the future

Post-connection, we began the process of charting a course for our future. In order to build on this historic achievement, we undertook significant consultation and research with our partners, donors, funders and stakeholders to secure their input on our future direction.

Part of this outreach included focus groups and research into the name change. As good stewards of our brand, understanding how our name and our work resonate is valued feedback. We were also looking to respond to lingering concerns and confusion about the name change.  To address this, we conducted extensive polling and focus group research to find out exactly what Canadians know about us, and what they think of our name.

What we heard

The research showed that the Trans Canada Trail name was the preferred option. Almost all participants told us that they favoured the original name for the physical trail. And, the majority (70%) supported returning to the original name.

When we asked them why, the reasons included an emotional connection to the name and a strong sense of pride in a name that identifies the Trail as uniquely Canadian.  The other piece of information that the research yielded was the low level of awareness of The Great Trail name. The Trans Canada Trail name surpassed that of The Great Trail by a factor of 10:1.

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25 Things to Do During Summer at Waterton Lakes National Park

May 6, 2021

Published by To Do Canada On May 5, 2021Leave a response

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Jenny W/Flickr

In the southern part of Alberta, travellers will come across one of the most incredible national parks that the country can offer. Bordering on the United States, Waterton Lakes National Park encompasses an area that, along with the neighbouring Glacier National Park (USA), has been designated an international peace park, a World Heritage Site, and a Biosphere Reserve.

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Upgrades coming to Skattebo Reach Trail between Ootischenia and Glade – BC Local

September 8, 2020

Upgrades are coming to the Skattebo Reach Trail (SRT) to improve access for both cyclists and bikers.

The trail is about 12 kilometres long and connects the Ootischenia area to Glade along the east bank of the Kootenay River.

The trail was originally built by the Castlegar Parks and Trails Society (CPTS) about 20 years ago. The group still maintains the trail and will be managing the upgrades.

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Prized canoe paddle makes epic 1-year journey before being reunited with owner – CBC News

August 31, 2020

Jackson Morton’s paddle travelled hundreds of kilometres before washing up onshore

CBC News · Posted: Aug 30, 2020 5:00 AM ET

Jackson Morton, seen here canoeing in the Moisie River in Quebec, where he would later lose his favourite paddle. (Submitted by Jackson Morton)

Jackson Morton loves taking long canoe trips in the Canadian wilderness, but it turns out his favourite paddle has an even bigger appetite for adventure. 

The outdoor education major at Queen’s University was working for Camp Hurontario and leading a canoe trip on the Moisie River in Quebec last year when the paddle got away from him during a stretch of rough water.  

He “ended up tipping over into a rapid,” he told Ismaila Alfa, host of CBC Radio’s Metro Morning.

“When we popped up the paddle was gone.”

‘I sort of expected it was gone’

A lengthy search failed to turn it up, and as the weeks and months went by, Morton lost hope that anyone would find it. 

“Once tripping season was over I sort of expected it was gone,” he said. 

After tripping season ended last summer, Morton didn’t expect to see his paddle again. (Submitted by Jackson Morton)

It was made in the style of legendary Ontario paddle-maker Ray Kettlewell, with the “perfect balance between the blade and the shaft.” That made it special, Morton said. 

But while he mourned the loss, the paddle was on the move, travelling down the Moisie and into the St. Lawrence River. 

Paddle found

One year later, Parks Canada employee Kent Baylis was on vacation with his family about 30 kilometres east of Baie Comeau, Quebec. 

His girlfriend came back from a walk with some news: she had found a paddle that had washed up on the beach. 

That Baylis and his family were the ones who found the paddle is a special stroke of luck, Morton explained to Alfa. 

Though he lives in Quebec, Baylis grew up in Ontario, and is “one of the few people who would have recognized what it was,” he said. 

The paddle as it looked when it washed up near Baie-Comeau, where Kent Baylis found it while on vacation. (Submitted by Kent Baylis )

Baylis saw Morton’s name and the Fishell Paddles mark, and contacted the company, who posted it on Instagram. 

Morton had just popped out of the water after a swim when friends alerted him to post, and “within five minutes I was on the phone with Kent.” 

While the paddle remains in Quebec, Baylis hopes to hand-deliver it to Morton the next time he visits family in southern Ontario, and Morton says he’ll be happy to have it back. 

Baylis, who has lived in Quebec for a decade, recognized the distinctive Ray Kettlewell-style paddle from his summers in northern Ontario. (Submitted by Kent Baylis )

The enduring mystery? Where the paddle went during its year away. 

“It must have come out of the mouth of the Moisie somewhere near Sept-Iles. Then it would have had to survive the winter,” said Baylis. 

“Then it made its way about 150 kilometres further west along the coastline [of the St. Lawrence],” he added.

“It’s pretty rugged terrain… I’m quite surprised it ended up where it did.”

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‘It totally defeats the purpose’: B.C. park users say day pass system not being enforced – CTV News

August 21, 2020

Maria Weisgarber
Published Tuesday, August 18, 2020 4:54PM PDTLast Updated Tuesday, August 18, 2020 7:14PM PDT

VANCOUVER — The effectiveness of a pilot project meant to manage crowds at B.C. parks is being questioned by users, who say they aren’t seeing enforcement.

Even though day passes are supposed to be required at certain parks as of late July, some say there’s nothing stopping people from coming in, with or without one.

Maple Ridge resident Shea Thomson said the last three times she’s visited Golden Ears Provincial Park, nobody has been there to check to make sure people have day passes as they drive in.

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6 hikes around Quebec to tackle this summer and fall – The Daily Hive

August 21, 2020

Tyler Jadah|Aug 18 2020, 1:43 pm6 hikes around Quebec to tackle this summer and fallParc national des Monts-Valin (SÉPAQ)

Note: While local parks, shops, and events are reopening throughout the province, Santé Quebec is reminding individuals to monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. If you’re not feeling well, they recommend staying home at this time. If you decide to go out, maintain the two-metre physical distancing guidelines and wear a face covering or mask when in public.

Even though Quebec has a different look and feel this summer, its everlasting beauty will always shine despite whether we’re going through a pandemic or not.

If you’re looking for a challenging trek, a trail that leads to majestic waterfalls, or hikes that are surrounded by water, there’s a circuit around Quebec waiting for you.

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Tesla donates electric vehicle chargers to Canadian parks – The Daily Hive

August 19, 2020

Irelyne Lavery|Aug 17 2020, 10:05 am

The federal government has announced that 28 of the most popular Parks Canada locations now have Tesla-donated electric vehicle charging stations.

Jonathan Wilkinson, the Minister of Environmental and Climate Change and the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, made the announcement last week that these stations are now available for visitors to use.

“With the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at more and more Parks Canada places across the country, the Government of Canada is making it easier for Canadians to choose our amazing national parks, national marine conservation areas, national historic sites, or national urban park for their next travel destination, all while reducing emissions, discovering nature, and connecting with history,” Wilkinson said.

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Work begins on trail that would run from St. Stephen to Saint John – CBC News

August 14, 2020

Saint John council to consider bike lane improvements as part of Coastal Link project

CBC News · Posted: Aug 14, 2020 

A major project is underway on the waterfront in St. Stephen, and it could become a significant development in Saint John as a motion will come before Common Council on Monday.

The Coastal Link Trail would be a cycling and hiking route from the city to Maces Bay, St. George, Saint Andrews, St. Stephen and points between and beyond.

“We are going to build a world-class trail network,” said Darren Turner, the semi-retired army engineer, who is chairing the volunteer-led initiative.

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All trails lead to Country Harbour – Halifax Today

August 14, 2020

Travel Tails: Smitty barks at a seal, follows the footsteps of Black Loyalists about 22 hours ago By: Bruce MacNab

Years ago, some friends of mine from Martha’s Vineyard spent a month touring Nova Scotia. Already accustomed to lighthouses and sandy beaches, they had little to say about our province—with one exception.

They raved about camping at a magical hideaway on the Eastern Shore called Country Harbour.

Located in Guysborough County, Country Harbour is a three hour drive from Halifax. For the third summer in a row, Smitty and I headed up there for some August camping.

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Feds invests $6M in conservation projects at national parks in Ont. to fight climate change – CanadianManufacturing.com

August 13, 2020

The investment will expand on efforts to protect reptiles and amphibians in Bruce Peninsula, Georgian Bay Islands and Thousand Islands national parks.

KINGSTON, Ont. — On Aug. 7, the Canadian federal government announced federal investments totaling nearly $6 million for projects aimed at the restoration of ecosystems and the recovery of species at risk in Fathom Five National Marine Park and Bruce Peninsula, Georgian Bay Islands and Thousand Islands national parks.

“As we continue to safely restart our economy, our government will continue making investments that will help to support local jobs, protect our nature and fight climate change,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of environment and climate change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, in a prepared statement. “I am pleased that Parks Canada and Indigenous communities are partnering to support on-the-ground conservation activities. This is an excellent example of how Canada will rebuild better following the pandemic.”

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