Ontario Trail News - trail news and information from all over Ontario's trails!

Ontario Trails Council

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CTV News CRTF Warn Snowmobile Operators about Safety Hazard While Operating on Snowmobile Trails Canada NewsWire (press release) Recently, members of the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) were conducting routine patrols on a trail in Bainsville, Ontario. As the members were ... Flag as irrelevant Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment Accessibility Directorate of Ontario 6th floor, Suite 601a 777 Bay Street Toronto ON  M7A 2J4 accessibility@ontario.ca Ministere du Développment économique, du Commerce et de l'Emploi Direction générale de l'accessibilité pour l'Ontario 6e étage, bureau 601a 777, rue Bay Toronto ON  M7A 2J4 accessibility@ontario.ca March 3, 2014 Two separate reviews of Ontario’s accessibility laws are currently underway: The Independent Review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, examining Ontario’s progress towards achieving the goals for accessibility set out in the AODA and its standards. The Reviewer will be holding public consultations between March 18, 2014 and April 22, 2014, and accepting written submissions until June 1, 2014. The Review of the Accessible Customer Service Standard, including its long-term objectives and requirements that organizations must follow. Public feedback on the proposed revised Customer Service Standard will be accepted from March 3, 2014 to April 16, 2014. Input to both reviews is welcome. Information is provided below about how to participate. Please note that comments received through one review process will not be considered by the other. Below you will find updates on both reviews. Participation in both processes is encouraged and appreciated. Please share this information with your colleagues and networks. Update from the Second Independent AODA Reviewer, Dean Mayo Moran of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law The second Independent Review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act is well underway, and I welcome your comments and thoughts regarding Ontario’s progress in achieving the accessibility goals set out in the legislation. I encourage you to visit my website at aodareview.utoronto.ca, where you may submit your confidential comments regarding the legislation, or register to attend one of the following public consultation sessions: In-Person Consultations: Ottawa – March 18, 2014 Toronto – March 21, 2014 and April 29, 2014 London – April 9, 2014 Thunder Bay – April 15, 2014. On-line and Call in Consultations: April 3, 2014 April 22, 2014. Exact locations and times of consultations are available on my website, and registration for all consultation sessions via the website is required. Those attending the public consultations are not required to make written submissions, although those wishing to speak to a written submission at a public consultation must upload the submission to my website seven days prior to the date of the consultation. Below you will find updates on both reviews. Participation in both processes is encouraged and appreciated. Please share this information with your colleagues and networks. Dean Mayo Moran Update from the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council/Standards Development Committee The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requires the review of each accessibility standard five years after it becomes law to determine whether the standard is working as intended and to allow for adjustments to be made as required. In 2013, the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council/Standard Development Committee (ASAC/SDC) began the review of the Accessible Customer Service Standard, the first accessibility standard to be made into regulation under the AODA. Based on its review, the Standards Development Committee has developed its initial proposed changes to the Customer Service Standard and is now seeking public comments prior to finalizing its recommendations to government. Public feedback will be accepted from March 3, 2014 to April 16, 2014. Please visit ontario.ca/AccessON starting March 3 for information on the committee’s initial proposed changes, and how to provide your feedback. The ASAC/SDC would greatly appreciate your participation in the public feedback process and thanks you in advance for contributing towards improving accessibility in the province of Ontario. Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment Accessibility Directorate of Ontario 6th floor, Suite 601a 777 Bay Street Toronto ON  M7A 2J4 accessibility@ontario.ca Ministere du Développment économique, du Commerce et de l'Emploi Direction générale de l'accessibilité pour l'Ontario 6e étage, bureau 601a 777, rue Bay Toronto ON  M7A 2J4 accessibility@ontario.ca Le 3 mars 2014 On procède actuellement à deux examens distincts des textes législatifs de l’Ontario sur l’accessibilité : L’examen indépendant de la Loi sur l’accessibilité pour les personnes handicapées de l’Ontario (LAPHO), qui vise à évaluer les progrès accomplis par la province relativement aux objectifs d’accessibilité définis dans cette loi et les normes qui en découlent. L’examinatrice tiendra des consultations publiques entre le 18 mars et le 22 avril 2014 et acceptera les commentaires écrits jusqu’au 1er juin 2014. L’examen de la Norme d’accessibilité pour les services à la clientèle, qui comprend l’évaluation de ses objectifs à long terme et des exigences auxquelles les organisations doivent se plier. Vous pourrez présenter vos commentaires sur la version révisée de la Norme d’accessibilité pour les services à la clientèle du 3 mars au 16 avril 2014. Nous vous invitons à donner votre opinion sur chacun de ces examens, en suivant la marche à suivre indiquée plus bas. À noter que les commentaires envoyés dans le cadre de l’un des processus ne seront pas pris en compte dans le second. Vous trouverez ci-dessous une mise au point sur chacun des examens. Sachez que votre participation est grandement appréciée et n’hésitez pas à communiquer ces renseignements à vos collègues et aux membres de votre réseau. Mise au point de l’examinatrice du deuxième examen indépendant de la LAPHO, Mayo Moran, doyenne de la faculté de droit de l’Université de Toronto Le deuxième examen indépendant de la Loi sur l’accessibilité pour les personnes handicapées de l’Ontario est déjà bien avancé, et je vous invite à me faire part de votre avis sur les progrès accomplis par la province relativement aux objectifs d’accessibilité définis dans la Loi. N’hésitez pas à visiter mon site Web, aodareview.utoronto.ca, à partir duquel vous pourrez soumettre vos commentaires de façon confidentielle ou encore vous inscrire à l’une des séances de consultation publique. Consultations en personne Ottawa – 18 mars 2014 Toronto – 21 mars et 29 avril 2014 London – 9 avril 2014 Thunder Bay – 15 avril 2014 Consultations en ligne ou téléphoniques 3 avril 2014 22 avril 2014 Il est obligatoire de s’inscrire aux consultations par mon site Web, sur lequel vous pouvez également consulter l’horaire exact des séances. Vous n’êtes pas tenu de soumettre des commentaires écrits lorsque vous assistez à une consultation publique; toutefois, les participants qui souhaitent faire référence à des observations écrites lors de la consultation doivent les téléverser sur mon site Web sept jours auparavant. J’espère que vous serez nombreux à vous exprimer sur ce sujet d’une grande importance. Mayo Moran, doyenne Mise au point du Comité d’élaboration des normes du Conseil consultatif des normes d’accessibilité Conformément à la Loi sur l’accessibilité pour les personnes handicapées de l’Ontario (LAPHO), chaque norme d’accessibilité doit être révisée cinq ans après son entrée en vigueur afin que l’on détermine si elle produit les effets escomptés, et que l’on apporte les corrections nécessaires au besoin. En 2013, le Comité d’élaboration des normes du Conseil consultatif des normes d’accessibilité (CEN-CCNA) a commencé l’examen de la Norme d’accessibilité pour les services à la clientèle, soit le premier règlement sur les normes d’accessibilité pris en application de la LAPHO. À la suite de cet examen, le CEN a proposé des changements à apporter à la Norme; il souhaite maintenant connaître l’avis du public avant de transmettre ses recommandations définitives au gouvernement. Vous pourrez lui faire connaître votre opinion à ce sujet du 3 mars au 16 avril 2014. Visitez le ontario.ca/ONdonneacces dès le 3 mars pour en savoir plus sur les changements proposés par le comité et sur la façon de transmettre vos commentaires. Le CEN-CCNA vous serait très reconnaissant de participer à ce processus et vous remercie à l’avance de contribuer à l’amélioration des mesures d’accessibilité en Ontario.

Ontario Trails News - news and information from all over Ontario's trails!

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The Globe and Mail Urban walking is a legal high, so why are cities cruel to pedestrians? The Globe and Mail I walked up one of Toronto's great boulevards to hear Jennifer Keesmaat, the city's progressive chief planner, talk about the benefits of walking. Flag as irrelevant

CTV News Crash marks season's 13th snowmobile-related death in Ontario Toronto Sun Vickie Kernohan was killed Sunday afternoon when her machine veered off a groomed Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs trail south of Listowel ... Flag as irrelevant

Severe Winter Puts Ontario's Deer Herds at Risk NorthumberlandView.ca White-tailed deer in parts of Ontario are experiencing one of the worst ... Mild winters have limited the need for emergency winter deer conservation in ... Flag as irrelevant Move Over Cyclists, Toronto Votes to Allow e-Scooters Bike Lane Access E Canada Now Toronto, Ontario – Bicyclists will have some tough competition in the myriad of bike lanes throughout parts of this metropolis of 2.8 million inhabitants ... Flag as irrelevant Conservation authority disposes of 'dispose' in heading 0 Niagara Advance Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority directors are moving forward with .... agencies in dedicated toconserving, restoring and managing Ontario's ... Flag as irrelevant

Ontario Trail News - news and information from all over Ontario's trails!

ONTARIO TRAILS COUNCIL

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Frank Cowan Company Centre of Excellence Blog

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Recent Developments in Joint and Several Liability - Municipal Action Needed The Ministry of the Attorney General is seeking input on a proposed legislative change to liability exposures for Ontario municipalities. Frank Cowan Company has worked with AMO and lobbied the Ministry of the Attorney General with the goal of easing the liability burden on municipalities in Ontario.  As you are well aware decisions such as Thornhill v. Shahid; Giuliaini v. Halton; Deering v. Scugog and Oshawa and Fordham v. Dutton-Dunwich have seen liability assessments against municipalities increase to as high as 66.6%.  Many claims are paid almost fully by municipalities due to the burden placed on them by the joint and several legislation.

In addition, awards have risen dramatically causing increased premiums. After many years of effort, the Ministry of the Attorney General appears to be willing to act and is now canvassing various legal associations for input on their proposed changes which are detailed below. While these recommendations to the joint and several legislation do not go as far as we would have liked, they are a positive step in the right direction.

Frank Cowan Company would appreciate you voicing your support for these changes to The Ministry of the Attorney General and/or your Associations.  These are the points we feel are most important: • Joint and several legislation unfairly puts the burden of paying the majority of liability losses on Ontario municipalities. • Municipalities are facing increased premium and self-retention levels that divert funding from other essential municipal services. • Claims costs have risen dramatically over the past ten years. • A small number of insurers are willing to offer municipal liability insurance. Many of the insurers that enter the market exit shortly thereafter due to excessive exposures. •

The current situation is not sustainable for Ontario municipalities. Please click here to read AMO's Breaking News publication.

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Active Transportation in Canada: a resource and planning guide

Publisher/Sponsor: 

Transport Canada

Active Transportation in Canada: a resource and 

planning guide is a resource tool for transportation planners and related professionals (e.g., city or town planners, town engineers, etc.) to accommodate, promote and support active transportation in current and long-range planning and development. With an emphasis on Canadian cities and regions where planning for active transportation might be a new or recent undertaking, this guide includes the following sections:

• Active Transportation: a primer - This overview and rationale section asks the question, “What is active transportation and why is it important?”
• Active transportation in Canada - This section looks at who is doing what in the realm of active transportation in Canada.

URLs: 

Active Transportation in Canada

Ontario Trail News - Trail News from all over Ontario Trails

National Trail Coalition funding in Budget
The National Trails Coalition (NTC) is the operating name for the Coalition of Canadian Trails Organizations, a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization. The NTC was formed in 2007 to bring the broad spectrum of trail-based activities together in a collaborative manner to build, maintain and promote trails and trail use across Canada. One of the founding principles of the Coalition is building new partnerships between trail disciplines; fostering more multiple-use trail development; and providing a trail-based platform on which private enterprise and volunteer groups alike can generate economic activity.
The umbrella organizations spearheading the coalition initiative are the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO), the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV), and the Canadian Trails Federation (CTF). Through their affiliates across Canada, these parent bodies represent trail building, operating and maintenance organizations in every province and territory. Most importantly, they provide trail infrastructure and a tourism product that is used by millions of Canadians and visitors to Canada.
For the full press release see: http://goo.gl/5G9ELi

 

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Legal Input Sought

Is there a law in Ontario you think needs to be changed? The Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) reviews existing provincial laws to see whether they can be improved or repealed or whether circumstances require new laws. We also review government policy and practices.


 

The LCO welcomes law reform proposals from individuals and organizations, including academics, jurists, lawyers, community and advocacy groups, labour organizations, businesses and members of the public. We are accepting proposals until March 21, 2014. This is the second and final call for proposals for projects to begin later this year and to take us into what we hope will be our third mandate beginning in January 2017.
 

Please be aware that the LCO does not provide funding for others to undertake projects, but undertakes Board-approved projects in-house.

For more information about making a proposal, and to find out how the LCO selects projects, see our website. See the range of projects we have completed and are undertaking now. You can learn about our funders and supporters and more about the LCO at www.lco-cdo.org.

Contact us at lawcommission@lco-cdo.org. 

 

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Education News

Our Sincere CondolencesTrails lost a great guy in Bob McFarland. He was a past employee of the City of Woodstock where he served as the
Director of Community Services and previously the same position in Waterloo and Oakville.
Bob was involved in many community groups, organizations and served on many Boards and Committees in
Woodstock, Waterloo and Oakville. It can be said that wherever he lived, he got involved in the community.
One of the groups he was involved with was the Oxford County Trail Committee and he was a member of the OTC Education Faculty.

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On-Line started Feb 3rd!

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Trail NewsCycle Show
More than 150 exhibitors offering the latest and best selection of bicycles, accessories, apparel and everything to do with cycling!
World’s largest Bicycle Consumer Show!
Best place to buy!
Extreme action events daily!Featuring

• 150+ exhibitors – manufacturers, distributors, retailers, tour companies, clubs and others
• Special Retail Marketplace area
• Special Manufacturers’ Showcase area
• Bicycle Frame Building
• Electric Bicycle Exhibitors
• Bicycle Events & Touring – from one-day trips to lengthy group cycling tours
• Kid’s Entertainment Centre:
• Tot’s Wheels, Collin the Unicyclist, Bouncing Castle, Face Painting,
• Glitter Tattoos and Ballooning by Ladybug the Clown
• The Test Ride Zone. Try out the latest street and mountain bikes
• Enter to win a bicycle at the show
• Join a Bicycle Club
• FREE bicycle parking

Visit the Spring Show Page for More Details
Or Visit the Spring Show Schedule Page for Event Times

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OTC Membership Drive
The Ontario Trails Council is a charitable organization, established in 1988, that promotes the creation, development, preservation, management and use of recreational trails.

Over past years membership got: a working Ontario Trails Strategy, new Regional Trail Committees, $25 Million in federal funding for communities (NOT OTC!), 84 trail projects in Ontario equalling 16.4M, and work to enhance the Waterfront Trail, Toronto Trails, Lake Erie Coastal Trail, Trans Canada Trail and 2,000 other trails in Ontario. We do this with your support!

PRICING - Buy fax, credit card or mail (all include 13% HST)

Yearly Rates		Base	HST	Total
Small <200 td="" trail="" users="">		$103.00	$13.39	$116.39
Medium 200:5000 users		$257.50	$33.47	$290.97
Large >5000 users		$772.50	$100.42	$872.92

 

Ontario Trails News - Trail News from all over Ontario's trails!

New Member!Brantford Trails

Parks & Trails 

The City of Brantford prides itself on the quality parks and trails it provides season after season for residents and visitors to enjoy. Some parks provide a peaceful, relaxing setting where you can enjoy passive recreational activities, while others are venues for sports and active pursuits. The City's gorgeous private and public gardens have been recognized with several titles in the Communities in Bloom competition.

The City offers nearly 70 kilometers of natural trails that are perfect for running, cycling or hiking. With constant upgrades and additions, there's always somewhere new to explore along the way.

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We Thank Our Renewing Members!

Caledon Trails 

Forks of the Credit Provincial Park at Cataract Falls.
Photo by Gary Hall

The Town of Caledon features over 65 parks and has access to 260 km of trails. In Caledon, there are playgrounds, picnic areas, splash pads, tennis courts, sports fields, a leash free park, a skateboard park, trails for cycling, walking and running as well as open spaces.

There are many options for people of all ages to enjoy outdoor recreation. Make the great outdoors a part of your active lifestyle.

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Hike Ontario

2014: An Exciting Year in Hiking  This year marks the 40th anniversary of Hike Ontario. To celebrate we are returning to where it all began for our Annual Summit. From October 31st to November 2nd we will be in Guelph as guests of the Guelph Hiking Trail Club. This is very appropriate as Hike Ontario started as the Federation of Ontario Hiking Trail Associations at Henry Graupner`s home in Guelph. Several changes of venue later, we are Hike Ontario and comprise 30 Trail Associations and Hiking Clubs with approximately 13000 members. We also advocate and supply information to the provinces walkers and hikers. As such we had a critical role in the drafting of the 2005 Ontario Trails Strategy. Now almost 10 years later, this plan is being reviewed. This and the current political situation in Ontario provides us with a great opportunity to push the ministries involved and all Ontario political parties towards active plans and policies that support hiking, trail associations and landowners who are generous enough to allow the use of their property for people to hike without charge. Please consider advocating on behalf of Hike Ontario and the hikers and walkers of Ontario by speaking to your member of the provincial parliament as well as any candidates from the other political parties about the need for support for sustainable volunteer managed trails.

Tom Friesen President, Hike Ontario president@hikeontario.com

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Port Hope Trails

Lace up your hiking boots and start doing your stretching exercises. The Municipality of Port Hope offers diverse and interesting walking and hiking trails that can provide either a leisurely afternoon stroll or a scenic nature hike.

Contact our local hiking club at:
http://pineridgehikingclub.ca/

Willow Beach Field Naturalists is a local charitable organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the natural heritage of Northumberland County. WBFN provides opportunities for it's members and others in the community to engage in projects in our area, which  in turn,  increases awareness of our vital natural heritage. Contact  WBFN at:
http://willowbeachfieldnaturalists.org

 

Local trails include:

 

The Ganaraska Forest – a 4000 hectare, multi-use area with year-round recreational opportunities. It has over 300 kms of trails passing through sandy, rolling terrain typical of the Oak Ridges Moraine.

 

The Ganaraska Hiking Trail – a 500 km route that starts in Port Hope and joins with the Bruce trail near Glen Huron. The southern end of the trail begins at the large boulder on the lawn of the Port Hope Town Hall on the west bank of the Ganaraska.

 

The Ganaraska Millennium Trail – a relatively level 2.4 km looped trail along the Ganaraska River. The trail begins at the Ganaraska Conservation Authority office on the northwest corner of Hwy 28401 and County Rd. 28.

 

The Spartan Ravine Walkway – begins on Jocelyn Street west of Crossley Drive (look for the trailhead on the south side) and connects with the Ganaraska Trail. 

 

The Waterfront Trail – has beautiful unobstructed views of Lake Ontario. This trail follows along the lakeshore from the Port Hope Marina, east to Gages Creek, where special wetlands offer an abundance of wetland wildlife.
 

Ontario Trail News - Trail News from all over Ontario's trails!

On February 25th about 20 trail organizations attended a meet and greet "trails" function at the Rural Ontario Municipalities Conference.

The MTCS was trying to provide profile to the Ontario Trails Strategy and the Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee and the various initiative the MTCS has promoted to improve trails since 2005. The MTCS Ontario Place Revitalization Team was also in attendance, which is a good thing as Ontario PLace is supposed to be for ALL Ontario!

The Tudor room was sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport the event saw over 150 representatives from rural municipalities take time out to meet the Ontario Trails Council, The Waterfront Trail, The Trans Canada Trail Ontario, The Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance, Hike Ontario, The Bruce Trail Conservancy, The Ontario Federation of Trail Riders, The Ontario Equestrian Federation, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, the Ontario Federation of All-Terrain Vehicle Clubs, the CycleON MTO office, the Share the Road Coalition, and The MNR Trails Data Office.

The OTC was able to meet partners from all over Ontario, but we had specific requests to assist in trail development from Prince Edward, Renfrew County, Township of Bayham, Brockville and the Thousand Islands, as well as all the member NGO's in the room. 

Thanks to Chris White from OTC Member Guelph Eramosa, for bringing the event to the attention of the MTCS through the Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee, and thanks to the lead Ministry for listening and responding with the opportunity to connect with our members.

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Conditions are perfect for a lovely snowshoe in Algonquin Park! This is a great snapshot from the Track and Tower Trail from our friend Gregory 

Algonquin Park, Track and Tower Trail, along the Madawaska River on Saturday. Had a great time snowshoeing here!

Ontario Trails News - Trail News from all around Ontario's trails

Ontario Trails Council on Facebook

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Parks Equipment Safe Operations (PESO)

Working safely in a parks/municipal environment requires a comprehensive understanding of the tasks at hand and the equipment designed to effectively and efficiently perform the work. Today’s parks, landscapers and open space practitioners must be able to function in various capacities. This workshop is designed to help enhance the competencies of experienced employees, while setting the right foundation blocks for those being introduced to the world of green space maintenance and management. Participants will be introduced to industry best practices and learn the skills required for safe operation of small hand tools to large grass cutting and turf care equipment.

Topics Include:

• Equipment and Fleet Training and Safety
• Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Current CVOR Legislation
• Load Security
• Pre-Trip Inspection
• Fuel Handling, Safety and Storage
• Equipment Safety Check Sheets
• Off site Equipment Demonstrations and Training

Date:

March 18 - 21, 2014

8:30am to 4:30pm

Location: 

South Dumfries Community Centre, 

7  Gaukel Drive, 

St George ON  N0E 1N0

Course Cost: 

Potential OPA Member: $1,000.00 plus HST

OPA Members: $780.00 plus HST

Members save: $220.00 plus HST

 

Please ensure CSA approved safety boots are worn to this course.

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Ontario's Provincial Trails Conference