Left to Right: Ron Cannan - MP Kelowna-Lake Country, Steve Milne and Don Guild (President) - Central Okanagan Naturalists' Club, Rick Given (President) and Clayton Prince - Kelowna Snowmobile Club.

Kelowna, August 20, 2009 – Mr. Ron Cannan, MP Kelowna–Lake Country and Mr. Terje Vold, Representative for the National Trails Coalition (NTC), today announced that the Central Okanagan Naturalists’ Club in Kelowna will benefit from $132,173 in funding which will create jobs and revitalize the Okanagan Highlands Trail Upgrades.  As well, the Kelowna Snowmobile Club in Kelowna will benefit from $110,000 in funding which will create jobs and revitalize the trails for the Okanagan Highlands Snowmobile Trails.

“Our Government is pleased to provide $242,173 to the Central Okanagan Naturalist’s Club and the Kelowna Snowmobile Club in support of the development and upgrading of recreational trails across our country,” said Ron Cannan. “Through this initiative, our Government and the National Trails Coalition (NTC) are working together to create jobs, stimulate the economy and improve Canada’s stock of trail infrastructure for the present and for our future.”

This project is being supported through the Government of Canada’s $25 million investment in recreational trails, part of the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The Government of Canada’s investment will be matched by the NTC and their provincial, territorial, municipal or private funding partners. A first federal payment of $12.5 million was issued to the National Trails Coalition on (July 29, 2009).

Applications for this funding were received between May 26, 2009 and June 26, 2009. With the intake for this funding now complete and projects approved, this first payment to the National Trails Coalition is allowing work to begin right away on over 450 projects.

Mr. Don Guild, President of the Central Okanagan Naturalists’ Club stated, “The funding will provide meaningful employment to displaced forest workers and result in a non-motorized trail traversing some of the Okanagan’s most scenic terrain… the vision of a premier hiking trail around the rim of the valley is coming much closer to completion”.   Mr. Rick Given, President of the Kelowna Snowmobile Club commented, “Funds will be used for trail and facility improvements in our current riding areas including trail brushing, safer trails, better signage and improved facilities on the mountains”.

The NTC is made up of the following non-profit organizations and their provincial/territorial affiliates: Canadian Trails Federation, Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations and the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council. For additional information, visit www.ntc-canada.ca.

The Government of Canada’s 2009 Economic Action Plan is accelerating and expanding the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure across Canada with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over the next two years.

In June 2009, Prime Minister Stephen Harper was awarded the highest honour granted by the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO) for delivering on his commitment to expand Canada’s network of national trails through the Economic Action Plan.

To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca. For more information on the Government of Canada’s investments in infrastructure, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca