TRAIL WISE the ONTARIO TRAILS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
August 10, 2026
• Project Funding Builds Trails •
• Activity on Ontario Trails • #ontariotrailnews
• Trail Projects • Updates • Member Services • #canadiantrailnews
 Ontario Trails Council 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.
Please consider supporting us through a donation or a membership. Thanks.
TOP TRAIL NEWS  For the latest wildfire information and travel advisories, please consult official sources: If you are looking for information to share with your communities, visitors, or travellers planning a trip to Northern Ontario, please feel free to share the following resource: Is It Safe to Travel Northern Ontario Right Now? What Visitors Need to Know About the 2026 Wildfires. This resource provides travellers with guidance on current wildfire conditions, travel considerations, and where to find the latest updates before and during their visit.  
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP)
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) is continuing to modernize the environmental assessment framework by creating a streamlined environmental assessment regulation for municipal infrastructure projects that will help municipalities deliver critical infrastructure faster while protecting the environment. Effective January 1, 2027, the new regulation will replace the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) with the Municipal Project Assessment Process (MPAP) for more complex municipal infrastructure projects. The new approach maintains strong environmental oversight while streamlining requirements and providing a clearer, more predictable process. For designated projects, public review and consultation can be completed in as little as five months. The regulation also introduces an Archaeological Assessment Process (AAP) for certain other projects to identify potential impacts to archaeological resources and maintain opportunities for input from Indigenous communities. Over the coming months, the ministry will develop guidance and work with Ontario municipalities and the municipal development sector to support implementation of the new framework and a smooth transition ahead of the January 1, 2027, effective date. As part of our ongoing efforts to modernize the environmental assessment program, the ministry will be reviewing the remaining Class EA processes and will consult on any proposed changes before they are made. Streamlining approvals while maintaining strong environmental protections is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by supporting housing, accelerating infrastructure delivery and driving economic growth across the province. More information about these changes, including which projects will be subject to the new requirements, process details and transition provisions, is available on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. Until the new regulation comes into force, the Municipal Class EA process will continue to apply. If you have questions, please contact the EA Modernization team at: EAmodernization.mecp@ontario.ca. Sincerely,  Annamaria Cross Director, Environmental Assessment and Permissions Modernization Branch Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
The State of the Trail Sector study looks at how trails are used, supported, and experienced across the country, including both day-to-day use and the work involved in governance, stewardship, and funding. The insights gathered through this study will help build a clearer picture of the trail sector across Canada, supporting stronger planning, coordination, and understanding of the conditions shaping trails in different communities and contexts. We hope the findings will be useful to organizations, communities, and partners working to sustain and strengthen trails over time. As part of this, we’re inviting you to take part and to help circulate the survey within your networks. The survey link below will guide respondents to the questions most relevant to them. Organizations can share perspectives on stewardship, funding, governance, and coordination, while individuals can share their experiences using and accessing trails. Some people may be relevant to both. The survey takes about 10–15 minutes to complete and is anonymous. Take the survey: https://www.research.net/r/TrailSectorv4
ONTARIO TRAIL PROJECTS AND FUNDING Recreational trail funding in Ontario comes from provincial grants, federal infrastructure programs, and regional economic funds. Key sources include the Ontario Trillium Foundation for local community and stewardship grants, targeted provincial investments for snowmobile and multi-use networks, and joint federal-provincial infrastructure streams for active transportation and municipal trail bridges. [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Provincial Grant Programs- Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF): Provides Seed and Capital grants to non-profits and municipalities for local trail enhancements, accessibility upgrades, and volunteer stewardship programs. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF): A provincial stream dedicated to repairing, upgrading, or building new local recreation and sport facilities, which can include active infrastructure. [1]
- Specialized Network Funding: Targeted seasonal or regional allocations—such as millions directed to the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) or the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)—to maintain, reroute, and connect regional winter and multi-use corridors. [1, 2]
Federal-Provincial Infrastructure Support- Bilateral Agreements: Periodic joint funding injections (such as the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program) that allocate money directly to regional groups like the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance or local municipalities for major bridge replacements, surface treatments, and network revamping. [1, 2, 3]
- Conservation & Land Trust Partnerships: Programs like the Greenlands Conservation Partnership fund land trusts to expand free public access to natural hiking routes and acquire green spaces. [1,
__________________________  Seed grant applications open in JulySeed grants are available to help non-profit organizations, small municipalities, and First Nations improve how they deliver programs and services that directly benefit community members.
Projects need to focus on organizational planning, piloting a new program, or building capacity to plan for future programs and services.
The grant application period is from July 22, 2026, to August 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
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