Trail-blazing Canadian Trail Summit

The Trans Canada stretches across Canada and, in the middle of the country, groups of trail advocates are prepping for a national-level conversation to be held here this month.

Trans Canada Trail, an umbrella organization for the nationwide network of regional and provincial trail associations, is bringing the first-ever Canadian Trail Summit to Winnipeg from June 16 to 19 at the Delta Hotel.

The summit will feature keynote speakers, panels and other events meant to educate and entertain summit delegates from across Canada..

“We’re over the moon (the conference) is here,” said Tim Coffin, executive director of Trails Manitoba since 2019. “Manitoba has so much to offer in a world-class way. It makes sense to host it in the heart,” Coffin said.

Manitoba offers trails that wander through many different landscapes — prairie, boreal forest, Canadian shield and sand dunes. Whether you’re looking for waterfalls or boardwalks through the forest, this province has lots to offer, Coffin said.

In true boots-on-the-ground fashion, the first day of the conference will take attendees across the city to hiking trails at The Forks, Birds Hill Provincial Park, Bison Butte, and Fort Whyte.

“There are incredible trails right through the city, tons of great trails along the river, and outdoor experiences are engraved in the community. We want this to be as immersive as possible,” said Justin Fauteux, communications manager at Trans Canada Trails since 2024.

Both Fauteux and Coffin stressed the importance of sharing resources and knowledge at the conference.

“It’s an opportunity for anyone involved and invested in the future of trails to come together, be a united front,” Fauteux said.

“It’s a place to bring bold ideas and (talk about) solutions that drive innovation,” Coffin said.

The theme of the conference — which is expected to bring visitors and representation from across the country — is ‘trails for a changing world’.

“People talk about a changing world through technology or how we interact with each other, but not everyone thinks about changing trails,” Fauteux said, citing climate change and reduced funding as challenges.

“Now is the time because there’s pressing issues. This is the opportunity to share how we respond and build better for the future,” he said.

“Last year it was wildfires, the year before it was floods,” Coffin said. He added the conference is the place to showcase what the province has, and to inspire innovation.

“I’m hoping for awareness and advocacy,” said Leslie Beck, president of Saskatchewan Trails Association, co-chair of the wâhkôhtowin Trail and on the board of directors of Trails Manitoba.

“People’s voices make a difference and if we can connect trail-users across the country, that’s a strong voice.”

Beck — a longtime Flin Flon resident — will be leading an hour-long session delving into the impacts of the 2025 Flin Flon wildfires, from the province’s response, trail rehabilitation, forest management, and fire prevention.

“Unless you live through something like that, you don’t really know what it’s like,” she said. She remembers messaging friends in a group chat at 3 a.m. with “no expectation of having anywhere to live.”

After waking up a few hours later, she learned the firefighters had prevented the fire from reaching her home, but it was mere blocks away.

“The regrowth of these trails won’t happen in my lifetime,” she said. “When you drive Prince Albert to Flin Flon, it’s all burnt on both sides of the highway. I want people to know this was preventable.”

“I’m a naturalist and I believe we have beautiful spaces that need to be protected,” she said. So far, wâhkôhtowin Trail has “logged thousands of hours of tree clearing and restoring signage” over the course of four months.

Beck’s discussion will take place on Thursday, June 18 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

For more information about the summit, visit canadiantrailssummit.ca