1. Developments in Ontario Trails Policy
Presentation by Carol Oitment, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS)
Trailhead Canada 2017

2. Overview of the Presentation
Ontario Provincial Trails Context.
Provincial Trails Stakeholder Model.
Trail Legislative and Policy Developments.
Current Priorities.
Themes Toward Future Policy Considerations.

3. Ontario Provincial Trails Context
Ontario has approximately 80,000 km. of trails including land/water, motorized/non-motorized and on and off-road trails used for recreation, tourism and transportation purposes.
The province values the health, environmental, community-building and economic benefits of trails.
From 2009/10 to 2014/15, the Government of Ontario invested $130 million in trails including $3.5 million via the Pan/Parapan American Games Promotion, Celebration and Legacy Strategy.
Ontario trails roughly breakdown as:
44.8% motorized, 30% non-motorized and 25.2% water trails (Canadian Trails Study, 2010).

4. Provincial Trails Stakeholder Model
Key Partners/Stakeholders
Consultative Body
Government
Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee - Assistant Deputy Minister and Ontario Trails Council President Co-Chair Committee: Members include ministries/agencies and external stakeholders
Ontario Trails Council
Umbrella organization for trails
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and
Sport (MTCS) - Lead ministry on trail
planning/coordination
External Trail Stakeholders
Directors Working Group on Trails
Ontario PowerSport Working Group (umbrella for motorized trails)
Provincial/regional trail organizations
Regional Tourism Organizations
Others (e.g. landowner organizations)
Government Partners
MTCS – Lead ministry on trail policy and planning and coordinating matters across government
Responsible for:
Ontario Trails Strategy, 2005 – framework for decision-making
Ontario Trails Act that was proclaimed in September 2016 and the Ontario Trails Action Plan that outlines priorities for trails ( )
Federal-Provincial/Territorial Group on Trails
MTCS Regional Services
Ontario Trillium Foundation
Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC)
Ontario Place
Royal Botanical Gardens
St. Lawrence and Niagara Parks Commission

5. Trail Legislative and Policy Developments
Ontario Trails Strategy
The Ontario Trails Strategy was launched in October 2005, as a long-term framework
for trails with a vision, core values, goals and strategic directions.
The Ontario Trails Strategy is an “all stakeholder” strategy.
The Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee (OTCC) was established in early 2006
as the oversight body for the implementation of the Strategy and related Action Plans.
Early priorities, set by the OTCC, focused on fundamentals:
Mapping trails through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. 28,220 km. of trail and 4,630 trailheads have been mapped, as of April 2017;
Establishing a central website for trails via the Ontario Trails Council’s website;
Launching a 5 year Trails for Life funding program;
Undertaking reviews on legislation affecting trails and on off-road vehicle use; as well as various scans;
Developing a Trail User Code of Ethics through the Trent University Trails Study Unit;
Developing proposals for trails legislation; and
Influencing land and transportation planning initiatives to effectively recognize the values of trails.
The Ontario Trails Action Plan was launched in 2015 with 31 Action Items.

6. Trail Legislative and Policy Developments Cont’d.
The Ontario Trails Action Plan 2015 – 2018: Sample Action Items
Legislative Framework:
Ontario Trails Act, 2016 was proclaimed September 1, 2016:
Established an annual Ontario Trails Week - inaugural week was May 29 – June 4, 2017.
Provides the Minister with the authority to:
Recognize Ontario trails of distinction – launched Trails of Distinction Program in 2017;
Establish a voluntary trails classification system – a priority targeting a spring 2018 launch;
Establish voluntary best practices; and
Establish targets to further the purposes of the Act.
Requires the Minister to maintain a trails strategy.
Sets out consultation requirements for the implementation of sections in the act.
Provides eligible bodies with a statutory mechanism to enter into voluntary trail easements, with covenants, with property owners.
Amendments were also made to the Occupiers’ Liability Act, Public Lands Act and Trespass to Property Act that clarify liability, enhance compliance and enforcement tools for managing public land and strengthen the consequences of trespassing. Complimentary changes were also made to the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act and the Off-Road Vehicles Act.

7. Trail Legislative and Policy Developments Cont’d.
The Ontario Trails Action Plan 2015 – 2018: Sample Action Items Cont’d.
Research Framework:
The scope of economic research in the Sport Division was broadened to include trails in 2014.
Cycling
Economic Benefit
$773 million
Equestrian
Economic Benefit
$36 million
Mountain Biking
Economic Benefit
$730 million
Off-Road Motorcycling
Economic Benefit
$70 million

8. Trail Legislative and Policy Developments Cont’d.
The Ontario Trails Action Plan 2015 – 2018: Sample Action Items Cont’d.
Host Trails Tourism Workshops with Ontario’s Regional Tourism Organizations and the Ontario Trails
Council: completed.
Implement Tour by Bike: Ontario’s Cycling Tourism Plan: launched in 2017 and is being implemented.
Implement #CycleON, Ontario’s Cycling Strategy: working collaboratively with the Ministry of
Transportation to complete Action Plan 1.0 (including a provincial cycling route) and to develop Action Plan 2.0
as a joint venture.
Establish a Voluntary Trails Branding and Classification System: working with an Expert Panel using the
Parks Canada trails classification system as a best practice model.
Support a Renewed Strategic Business Plan for the Ontario Trails Council: underway.
Review Potential Landowner Incentives for Trails on Private Property: a scan of incentives was completed.
Host an Expert Workshop to Explore Trail-Related Insurance Coverage and Costs: target spring, 2018.

9. Current Priorities Implementing Existing Commitments
Action Plan 1.0 under #CycleON, Ontario’s Cycling Strategy; Ontario's Cycling Tourism Plan: Tour-by-Bike; and the Ontario Trails Action Plan 2015 – 2018, with priority on the Ontario trails classification system.
Developing the Joint MTCS/MTO Action Plan 2.0 under #CycleON
Targeting a launch of the Plan in early 2018.
Preparing for the Next Phase of the Ontario Trails Strategy
2018 will involve a progress report and priority setting for the next phase.

10. Themes Toward Future Policy Considerations
Well Established Themes
Healthy active living (e.g. physical/mental health) by design including built and
natural environments - active transportation, walkable/bikeable communities, active
school travel, bike-supportive public transportation/facilities and community
connectivity (e.g. systems/networks and cross-border linkages).
Aligning green space, including trails, with climate change mitigation, ecological
health, biodiversity interests and a systems approach.
Accessibility (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act - AODA).
Managing risk and insurance.
Environmentally and financially sustainable trails.

11. Themes Toward Future Policy Considerations Cont’d.
Developing Themes
Year-round trail use.
Integration of cultural and natural heritage elements.
Water trails.
Trail capacity.
Trails research.
Protection of remote values and experiences.

12. Themes Toward Future Policy Considerations Cont’d.
“Hot” Themes
Trails tourism.
Cycling and cycling tourism.
Collaboration and consistency.
Trails training and education.

13. Addendum 1: Contact Information and Links
Contact Information
Carol Oitment, Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport
Links
The Ontario Trails Strategy:
The Trails Action Plan 2015/16 to 2017/18
Tour by Bike: Ontario’s Cycling Tourism Plan:
The Ontario Trails Act, 2016
List of all available funding programs at Grants Ontario website: