National Roundtable On Trails Risk And Membership Updates!

 

Ontario Trails is a charity, led by a volunteer board of directors that promotes the use, management, development, and preservation of trails and trail-based activities in Ontario. Upcoming Trails Education    Register now for the virtual National Roundtable on Risk Management being held February 22nd and 23rd, 2022. The Roundtable is co-hosted by the Ontario Trails Council and Canadian Trails Federation and is sponsored by Intact Public Entities; it is supported by the Trail Research Hub.   The National Roundtable on Risk Management Planning Committee will be releasing its list of Panel Presentations next week. If you are interested in attending, please check out our distinguished list of panellist at: https://www.trailresearchhub.com/nationalroundtableonriskmanagement and click Register Now! to be directed to our Eventbrite Registration Page.   #RiskManagement #IntactPubicEntities #OntarioTrails #CanadianTrailsFederation #TrailResearchHub #NationalRoundtable #RegisterNow REGISTER   IMPORTANT INFO! Once you complete your payment on Eventbrite you will be sent a confirmation email of your registration. This confirmation email contains the exclusive link to the Webinar Jam platform. All registrants must also register to Webinar Jam to participate in the sessions. Thanks so much!   Program Tentative Schedule The Planning Committee of the National Roundtable on Risk Management is pleased to announce the tentative schedule for the two day event. Day 1: Insurance and Legal Liability in Trails and Active Transportation Panelists will each give a brief presentation (10 to 15 minutes), followed by a facilitated discussion and Q and A Period with all Panelists. 1:00pm - 2:00pm Panel Presentations 2:00pm - 2:30pm Question and Answer Period 2:30pm - 4:00pm Region Specific Breakout Rooms for detailed discussions of key issues by jurisdiction Day 2: Best Practices for Assessing and Managing Risks on Trails Panelists will each give a brief presentation (10 to 15 minutes), followed by a facilitated discussion and Q and A Period with all Panelists. 1:00pm - 2:00pm Panel Presentations 2:00pm - 2:30pm Question and Answer Period 2:30pm - 3:30pm Activity Specific Breakout Rooms for detailed discussions of key issues by activity and trail type 3:30pm - 4:00pm Re-Group for a summary of the two-day event and a collective discussion of next steps and future directions in policy, advocacy, research and education. Webinar Link will be sent to registrants. GOT A QUESTION? Send us your question about trails risk in advance on a topic of interest to you. We will share your question with the panel and that way we can tailor our content to your needs! SEND TO: execdir@ontariotrails.ca Presented by: Ontario Trails Council/Consiel des Sentiers De L'Ontario Canadian Trails Federation/Sentiers Canadiens Sponsored by: Intact Public Entities Inc. The Trail Research Hub     Ontario Doubles Investment in Economic Development Supports for Indigenous Communities   Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program creating lasting economic prosperity January 28, 2022 Ministry of Indigenous Affairs   TORONTO — The Ontario government continues to work with Indigenous communities to create lasting economic prosperity for Indigenous people, and to support their COVID-19 recovery and response efforts through the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program (ICCGP). To further support Indigenous communities, the province doubled funding for the program from $3 million to $6 million in 2021-22 to fund 40 projects across the province.   “The positive economic impact that the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program creates for Indigenous community infrastructure projects, both on and off- reserve is immense,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs. “We recognize that Indigenous communities are facing unique challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and we will continue to provide tailored supports that will help communities address these challenges by achieving meaningful, lasting results.”   Successful projects range from a shovel-ready initiative in Pikangikum First Nation for a new community and learning facility focused on food storage and distribution, to a feasibility study for a skills and employment training centre in the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation community. The projects also include a major renovation at the Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families in support of additional childcare, learning and community services for the Inuit community in Ottawa.   ICCGP investments will continue in 2022-23 to support the construction and renovation of Indigenous community infrastructure projects, both on and off-reserve, that support economic development, job creation and social benefits to Indigenous communities. Priority will be given to applications for previously funded stages, business or training centres, shovel-ready projects, and initiatives that support COVID-19 related community needs. The 2022-23 ICCGP application period is now open and will close on February 18, 2022.   “Whether our government is investing in community centres, updating and repairing roads and highways, or modernizing hospitals and health centres, we’re committed to supporting critical infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities so they have the necessary tools and infrastructure in place to be safe, healthy, and successful,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “To amplify our commitment to Ontario’s Indigenous communities, our government is working tirelessly to connect rural and remote areas to reliable high-speed internet by the end of 2025 so that everyone, no matter where they live, can work, learn, access vital services and connect with others from the comfort of their home community.”   Supporting Indigenous economic development represents reconciliation in action and helps create opportunities to strengthen relationships with Indigenous partners.   Quick Facts   The Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program has operated since 1989 and was re-launched in 2016 to better address gaps in Indigenous community infrastructure needs. Since the program re-launch, the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program has provided over $17 million in funding to support 133 major and minor capital projects and related studies and assessments. Eligible projects include community centres, Elder and youth centres, and small business centres.   Quotes "Applying to the ICCGP and working with ICCGP staff has been a pleasure. The funding secured will enable us to move forward with the development of our community Ecolodge. The Ecolodge will offer much needed Community Programming and will become the epicentre of community learning activities. At the same time, it will thrive as a vacation destination for visitors from around the world, offering community members an extraordinary opportunity to become directly involved in tourism. The Ecolodge has the potential to become a staple for CCFN and the local region. It will play a critical role in creating much needed investment opportunities in the region." Peggy Domingue Community Economic Development Officer, Chapleau Cree First Nation   "The Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program assisted M’Chigeeng First Nation in remedial work on one of its Business leasing spaces and this was a welcome support program that enabled M’Chigeeng to lease out unoccupied space that would have remained vacated if it had not received the financial support from this much needed program. COVID-19 has impacted the leasing of space for M’Chigeeng owned businesses and service providers. M’Chigeeng First Nation is proud to be a partner with the ICCGP program." Grant Taibossigai General Manager, HIAH Corp Economic Development, M’Chigeeng First Nation   "Miziwe Biik is grateful for the generous contribution to the building of the new Miziwe Biik Training Institute in the West Donlands. The facility will be transformational in terms of being an economic driver which provides employment related training to Indigenous people living in the GTA. MB is ever so appreciative of the support under the ICCGP."   Nancy Martin Executive Director, Miziwe Biik   "Working with the ICCGP has been a pleasure and the funding secured through the program will allow Chippewas of the Thames First Nation to move forward with the first steps in developing our Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Centre. This initiative seeks to provide First Nations with training programs that would enable them to become more self-reliant and self-sufficient. The programs provided will equip COTTFN members and members of other First Nation communities in the region with the skills and knowledge to maintain their own community infrastructure." Allan Farrell Public Works Director, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation     Additional Resources   Read more about Ontario’s Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program and how to apply for funding Learn more about available funding opportunities from the Ontario Government     OFATV Invests Permit Dollars back into Trails! OFSC Clubs and Volunteers Making a Difference! Groomers being Deployed Know before you go! Find your favourite OFSC Trail - Use the App   Trail Surveys   The OTC is interested in what you think! We have written many types of surveys and are pleased to provide links to them on this page. From such important topics as Trail Trade Specialist to Member Services we want you to help us help you! Click the title below to be redirected to the survey of your choice. Recreational Trail Committees - tell us about your community advisory committee. Trail Maintenance - how do you maintain your trails? Help Us Help You - website improvement Upload Your Trail - add your trail to the website Upload Your Event - add your trail event to the website Trail Reform Now - legislative and insurance reform support Trail Trades Specialist- tell us what you'd like to see in a trail trades course Member Services - are you happy as an OTC member with the services you get? Strategic Planning 1: - tell us what you'd like the OTC to do Strategic Planning 2: Financial Sustainability - as a charity we can always use new ideas to sustain ourselves Strategic Planning 3: - Effectiveness - how effective are we? Customer Satisfaction - as a member of the public what do you think of the OTC? Economic Impact of Recreational Trail (ON) - for the Eco Dev/Tourism, Trail Planning office Insurance Issues - tell us about your ability to get coverage Trails of 1812 - is your community celebrating our bi-centennial On-Road Cycling Lane Petition - Norm Miller MPP - download the form here - (no web link available) Trail Priorities - what do you want OTC to do for Trails? Save the Prescott Russell Rail Trail - encourage the communities to save this trail! Voyageur Trail User Survey - if you've used this trail they'd like your feedback Trail Access for Horses - are you able to ride your horse where you want? Do you use trail Counters? - tell us how you count your trail traffic?   Ontario Trails - staying open in difficult times - if your membership is due we could use your renewal! We thank members for renewing or supporting the OTC through membership.  Bruce County Northumberland County Penetanguishene Frontenac County Trailaide Canada (Dan Andrews) Lake Laurentian CA Yours Outdoors Hastings County Over past months we have -  provided content to the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries, put time and effort into trail categorization for trail use, and the 'Trailability Tool' supported our partner Marmak and the RFAM tool, supported a University of Waterloo Outdoor Recreation Impacts, supported and distributed the Black Sheep Mountain Bike Club Rider Survey, updated a variety of COVID related pages on the OTC website, engaged members and the trail using public on etiquette, provided consulting advice to Avon Trail, Renfrew County, the OFSC, and others, been strong with groups on public safety, facilitated work on Hastings Destination Trails Inc., updated our about page, supported the St. Lawrence Parks Commission Recreational Trail Committee development hosted a series of webinars with our partners, and supported students with the University of Waterloo and the City of Waterloo to do trail work For all the latest on trails and trail news follow: Ontario Trails Ontario ATV Trails Ontario Hiking Trails Ontario Climbing Trails Ontario Cycling Trails Ontario Dirt Bike Trails Ontario Horse Trails Ontario Water Trails Toronto Trails Trailhead North Trails of 1812 Niagara Trails Committee Hamilton Burlington Trails Canadian Trails Federation To find your trail listing go to Ontario Trails To help trail users find trails on their mobile share Ontario Trails Map Standing by the public safety order is very difficult to do when you and your members are in the business of promoting the outdoors. Certainly being firm on Stay Home doesn't win you popularity contests with many users. And users affect our memberships. If people don't like your message membership suffers. This is what we are trying to do, the right thing overall, and we need you to look past the current messages to having OTC around in 6 months and then a year from now. We will be sending an email asking for your renewal. Based on our projections memberships should facilitate a 0 deficit, continuation of office supports and the type of education and advocacy that has seen the development of Ontario Trail Categorization, website maintenance, our response to COVID, our online training through Algonquin College, as well as our future plans for training, economic and tourism development committee, AND most importantly our Health Unit and Trails messaging process. OTC is interested in assuring that there is balance in trail use as we work to re-open full public access, with safe user practice, to the trails and trail activities you love. Support us today. Join ON-line Please renew. By electronic transfer, PayPal - select your membership rate and Go! or a call with your credit card. 613-484-1140 Thanks!