(Brantford) July 8, 2009 - The Brant Waterways Foundation will be able to complete an important missing link in the Trans Canada Trail thanks to a joint federal and provincial investment of $1,010,800.   The announcement was made today by Brant MP Phil McColeman, Brant MPP Dave Levac and Brant Waterways Foundation Secretary Mary Welsh.

“This is very exciting and welcome news to all those involved with Brant Waterways Foundation and to all of the people who shared their time and expertise to submit Waterways’ application to the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program and Recreation Ontario,” said Mary Welsh.  “Much credit and appreciation for the approval of this large contribution goes to the strong support it received from MPP Dave Levac and MP Phil McColeman.”

The grant when combined with Brant Waterways’ funding share of $505, 400 will allow the County of Brant to complete an important missing link in the Trans Canada Trail from Brantford (near Shellard Lane) through Mt. Pleasant to the Brant County/Norfolk boundary at Jenkins Rd. - a distance of twelve km.  Norfolk County will be completing the remaining ten km of the same trail from that point through Waterford and onto Simcoe with funds from the same federal/provincial program. 

At that point it will join with the long established and well used Lynn Valley Trail to Port Dover and Lake Erie.  This means there will be a safe off road and multi-use recreational trail from Brantford and points beyond all the way to Port Dover.  It also means two critical sections of the Trans Canada Trail in South Western Ontario will be completed and enjoyed by local users and visitors to the area now and for generations to come.

The funding is being made available through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program and Recreation Ontario.  The programs are designed to provide timely, targeted stimulus to the economy through investments that will spur construction activity related to existing recreational infrastructure. Beyond economic stimulus and job creation, renewing, rehabilitating and modernizing our recreational infrastructure has the additional benefit of encouraging higher levels of participation in physical activity and community building.

“There has been amazing work done on our trails and waterfront through the Brant Waterways Foundation and its supporters,” said Dave Levac.  “They have accomplished many milestones and their fantastic work has been the envy of many municipalities.  This money will not only create jobs but will help sustain a livable community.  Congratulations to all the partnerships that have once again shown what can be accomplished when we work together.”
“The Brant Waterways Foundation and its supporters deserve a great deal of credit for the dogged determination they have shown over the years to get this done,” said Phil McColeman.  “Our government is proud to support this project and to support recreational infrastructure.”

The Brant Waterways Foundation project is one of 758 projects across Ontario worth a total joint federal and provincial investment of more than $380 million.  Projects were selected on the basis of merit and construction readiness.