TOWN OF AJAX, ON, Aug. 21, 2026 /CNW/ -- Durham Region will enhance active transportation and recreation opportunities through new and improved multi-use paths, trail connections and amenities after an investment of more than $3.3 million from the federal government.
This investment was announced by Jennifer McKelvie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Ajax; John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for the Regional Municipality of Durham, Sterling Lee Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor Ward 2 for the Town of Ajax and John Mackenzie, CEO of Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
The Crestpoint Lands (the former Annandale lands) - Trans Canada Trail project will build approximately 1.5 kilometres of multi-use path in Ajax, along with improved seating and landscaping. The project will improve connections with Ajax, providing a more accessible and enjoyable experience for all pathway users.
The Durham Meadoway is a planned 30-kilometre active transportation corridor and linear park connecting neighbourhoods from the Toronto-Pickering boundary to Harmony Road in Oshawa. This funding will support the Preliminary Design Study, helping move the project from vision to reality, and will fund traffic signal upgrades at five Regional intersections to improve safety and connectivity along the route.
In Oshawa, a new multi-use path is planned along Townline Road N between Beatrice Street East and Taunton Road East. The almost one-kilometre pedestrian pathway will provide residents with an additional active transportation option and improve connectivity for communities in the surrounding area.
Together, these three projects represent an important step toward creating a more connected region, making it easier for residents to walk, cycle and enjoy the outdoors. By investing in active transportation, we are helping build safer, more connected communities and creating more opportunities for people to get where they need to go.
Quotes
"These investments will help create stronger connections between our communities and provide residents with more opportunities to walk, cycle and enjoy the outdoors. By improving trails, multi-use pathways and recreational amenities, we are supporting active transportation while creating more accessible and welcoming spaces for residents to enjoy for years to come."
Jennifer McKelvie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Member of Parliament for Ajax
"Every new trail expands the options for active transportation, allowing people to walk, cycle, and roll to get where they need to be. These three projects in Durham Region will provide a healthy and green way for residents to commute within newly connected communities."
Ryan Turnbull, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and to the Secretary of State for the Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions and Member of Parliament for Whitby
"The Durham Meadoway will create a connected, accessible and sustainable corridor that links our communities, encourages active transportation, and enhances the Region's vibrant greenspaces for people of all ages to enjoy for generations to come. We thank Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada for their partnership in advancing this project to the next phase."
John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for the Regional Municipality of Durham
"Expanding the Trans Canada Trail through Crestpoint Lands will create an important new connection in Ajax, making it easier and safer for residents and visitors to walk, cycle and explore our community. With the help of the federal Active Transportation Fund, this key investment in active transportation, accessibility and outdoor recreation will benefit the Town for years to come. We're proud to partner with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to bring this important connection forward."
Shaun Collier, Mayor and CEO, Town of Ajax
"The City of Oshawa extends our sincere thanks to the Government of Canada for funding the new multi-use path on Townline Road North that will extend from Beatrice Street East to Taunton Road East. Provided through the Active Transportation Fund, this important investment encourages active living, improves connectivity and expands transportation options."
Mayor Dan Carter, City of Oshawa
"The Crestpoint Lands Project will give people a new way to walk, cycle and experience the Duffins Creek watershed. What makes this trail funding announcement especially significant is the opportunity to link this work with TRCA, Town and community efforts to restore more than 20 hectares of former golf course lands including re-establishing wetlands, meadows and forested areas that have been lost over time. By working with the Town of Ajax to coordinate the trail design and construction work with restoration work planned and underway, we can advance TRCA's Trail Strategy and the Trans Canada Trail in Durham Region while creating lasting community and ecological connections. We thank the Government of Canada and partners for investing in this important project and helping bring this shared vision to life."
John Mackenzie, CEO of Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
"Investments in trails and active transportation help make communities safer, more connected and easier to navigate. The crucial projects being supported today will improve local connections and create a more accessible, enjoyable space for people walking, cycling and spending time outdoors. As a national organization, we see how projects like this strengthen communities across the country while contributing to something bigger; a connected national trail network that reflects Canada's shared identity and brings people and places together."
Matt DeCourcey, Director, Government Affairs, Trans Canada Trail
Quick Facts
- The federal government is investing $3,385,703 in these projects through the Active Transportation Fund (ATF). The Town of Ajax is contributing $810,000 to the Annandale project. Collectively, Durham, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa are contributing $1.2 million to this stage of the Durham Meadoway Project. The City of Oshawa is contributing $210,000 for its Townline Road project.
- The ATF supports projects that build new and expanded networks of pathways, sidewalks, bike lanes and trails to support affordable, greener, and healthier options for Canadians to access their communities by walking, cycling, and through the use of human-powered or hybrid mobility aids such as wheelchairs, scooters, e-bikes, rollerblades, snowshoes, cross-country skis, and more.
- A minimum of 10% of ATF's funding is allocated to projects that benefit Indigenous populations and communities.
- The ATF supports the National Active Transportation Strategy, the country's first strategic approach for promoting active transportation and its benefits. It uses data-driven and evidence-based investments to build new and expanded active transportation networks, while supporting equitable and sustainable travel options.
- The federal government also launched the Active Transportation Online Hub. This webpage provides resources related to active transportation, such as data and research, policies, success stories on projects across Canada, and information on the federal government's active transportation investments.
- The Government of Canada is taking concrete actions to strengthen the economy by investing in Canadians and supporting Canadian businesses.
- Federal actions are creating good jobs, accelerating home building and helping communities grow across the country.
- Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous groups and environmental assessment obligations.
- Federal funding is conditional on the signing of the contribution agreement.
Associated Links
Active Transportation Fund
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/trans/index-eng.html
National Active Transportation Strategy
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/trans/active-strat-actif-eng.html
Strengthened Climate Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Arianna Durgerian, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, [email protected]; Media Relations, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Devon Jarvis, Manager of Communications & Engagement | Public & Strategic Affairs, Town of Ajax, 905-409-1491, Email: [email protected]; Amanda Chambers, Manager, Government Relations | Communications and Engagement Division, The Regional Municipality of Durham, 365-688-5900, Email: [email protected]; Shannon Cassidy, Director, Corporate Communications | City of Oshawa, 905-436-3311 ext. 2591, Email: [email protected]
Share this article