Our History

acronyms:

MRTA – Manitoba Recreational Trails Association
TM – Trails Manitoba
TCT – Trans Canada Trail
MB – Manitoba
B2B – Borders to Beaches

Our History

1980's

Early beginnings

Rails-to-trails concept first considered amongst MB civil servants.

1992

Birth of TCT

The idea of a cross country recreational trail was conceived.

1993
Incorporation

Incorporation

MRTA became the official provincial trail council for the TCT. MRTA gained charitable status. TCT expanded the trail definition to not only include abandoned rail lines, but also provincial parks, Wildlife Management Areas, and important ethnic communities.

1998
Trail registration

Trail registration

Rossburn Subdivision rail line purchased from CN and converted to recreational trail. MRTA received funds as part of the Federal Millennium Project.

2000
MB Gov’t funding

MB Gov’t funding

MB Gov’t entered into an agreement with MRTA to help complete Manitoba’s section of the TCT (MB Millennium Signature Project).

2009

B2B funding

Federal & Provincial funding secured to complete TCT section between Ontario border and Grand Beach. Project Management team was hired.

2013

New operating name

MRTA adopted the operating name ‘Trails Manitoba.’

2017

TCT connection

TCT officially connected on Canada’s 150th birthday. Provincial celebration held at FortWhyte Alive.

2018

Provincial recognition

Signature donor recognition signage pavilion unveiled at The Forks.

2020

Future funding secured

MB Gov’t entered into an agreement with MRTA and The Winnipeg Foundation, that secures future funding to provincial trail development and to MRTA. New annual Trails Grant Program established.

2021

Additional Trail Funding

MB Gov’t entered into an agreement with MRTA and The Winnipeg Foundation that secured an additional boost in funding for provincial trail development.

2023

Present Day

Our work continues…