February 14, 2005 – In early December 2004, the Ontario government (through the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation) created a Minister’s Advisory Committee on Trails to provide advice on the development of an Ontario Trails Strategy. Background:

http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2004/12/06/c1990.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.h
tml

Since then, nine stakeholder workshops were conducted to gather feedback from prominent trail user organizations throughout the province, as well as members outside the trails community.

IMBA was present at two of these meetings, and had some serious concerns: Of the 19 groups appointed to the Minister’s Advisory Committee on Trails, none represented cycling of any kind. Of the 9 topics covered at the stakeholder workshops, none addressed the need for trail construction standards. No emphasis was placed on environmental and social sustainability of trails. The process is happening far too fast, with very little opportunity for public comment.

We think cycling groups (especially IMBA-affiliated clubs that have a strong involvement with trails) should be represented in the Draft Ontario Trails Strategy. Here is your opportunity to get involved:

The outcomes of the nine stakeholder workshops have been incorporated into a draft document to be discussed at Regional Consultations in the coming weeks. The purpose of the Regional Consultations is to gather input from local and regional trail groups and other stakeholders affected by trails. The dates of the Regional Consultations are below:

-Chatham February 15, 2005 (Tues)
-Woodstock February 16, 2005 (Wed)
-St. Catharines February 17, 2005 (Thurs)
-Hanover February 21, 2005 (Mon)
-Barrie February 22, 2005 (Tues)
-Peterborough February 23, 2005 (Wed)
-Kingston February 24, 2005 (Thurs)
-Ottawa February 25, 2005 (Fri)
-Thunder Bay February 28, 2005 (Mon)
-Sault Ste. Marie March 1, 2005 (Tues)
-Timmins March 2, 2005 (Wed)
-Sudbury March 3, 2005 (Thurs)
-Toronto March 7, 2005 (Mon)

PLEASE NOTE: Attendance at the Regional Consultations is by INVITE ONLY. If
you think your trail user group should be represented, make sure to CONTACT
YOUR LOCAL MTR OFFICE and ask to be involved! Regional offices can be found
using the link below:

http://www.tourism.gov.on.ca/english/about/regional.htm

If you have any further questions about the Ontario Trails Strategy and the upcoming meetings, please direct them to Southwestern Ontario IMBA Rep, Igor Hoogendoorn:

IGOR HOOGENDOORN – SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO
ihoogendoorn@hotmail.com
519-831-8634