"As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, Canada is proud to provide the first payment of $12.5 million to the National Trails Coalition to get construction underway," said Minister of State Lunn. "By partnering with the National Trails Coalition we are boosting local economies, creating jobs, getting shovels in the ground and providing Canadians with better quality trails."

The funds will be used to create, upgrade and sustain recreational trails throughout Canada. The first payment of $12.5 million is part of the Government of Canada’s $25 million commitment that will be matched by the NTC and their provincial, territorial, municipal or private funding partners for eligible projects.

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 will allow work on trails to begin right away and generate economic activity in Canada’s construction sector.

"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. Norman added, "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."

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 and improve trail infrastructure through the Economic Action Plan.