Province introduces legislation Improving Trails

NRU
May 20, 2015

Ontario’s trail network, the second largest in North America, could be significantly expanded if the provincial bill introduced last week to protect and improve the network is enacted.

Tourism, culture and sport minister Michael Couteau introduced Bill 100: Supporting Ontario’s Trail Act, 2015, which proposes a stand-alone Ontario Trails Act and builds on the 2005 Ontario’s Trail Strategy.

Since the release of the 2005 strategy the province has mapped more than 12,800 km of trails across the province and developed a central trail website. Additionally, more than $80-million has been invested in trails since 2009.

The province has committed $3.5-million to create more than 2,000 km of continuous trail as a legacy initiative for the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. Among the provincial trail investments will be lands that close gaps in Ontario’s portion of the Trans Canada Trail, which connects communities from Ottawa to Windsor and Fort Erie to Huntsville. This will contribute to the federal goal of achieving a Canada-wide trail connection by 2017.

Based on feedback from an environmental registry posting, engagement with Aboriginal groups and five regional stakeholder sessions, the proposed Ontario Trails Act would increase trail use, enhance and protect trails and recognize the importance of trails to the quality of life in Ontario. It would also enable the tourism, culture and sport minister to recognize Ontario trails of distinction and establish a trail classification system. It would also establish a Trails Week at the start of June each year.

A consultation discussion paper identifies the ongoing challenges proponents face when trying to expand the trail network. These include issues related to long-term public access, liability and trespassing and are proposed to be addressed through changes to the Trespass to Property Act, Occupiers’ Liability Act, Motorized Snow Vehicles Act, Off -Road Vehicles Act and Public Lands Act.

To improve the process of securing access to trails on private lands the bill proposes introducing easements specific to trails. This will allow landowners to grant an easement on a portion of their land to an eligible body for preservation, enhancement or management activities. It is anticipated that this will address private property owners’ and trail managers’ concerns about allowing public access to private lands.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport is seeking public feedback on the proposed act through the Environmental Registry until June 27.