Trans Canada Trail founders to be honoured at Rideau Hall ceremony

OTTAWA , Sept. 23 /CNW Telbec/ - On Thursday September 24 at 10 a.m. , Trans Canada Trail Board and Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada , will honour the founders of the Trans Canada Trail at a ceremony at Rideau Hall.

The Governor General and Trans Canada Trail Chair, Valerie Pringle , will announce the naming of the Trail's pavilion in Calgary , Alberta after the late William (Bill) Pratt and the Trail pavilion in Gatineau, Quebec after Dr. Pierre Camu . These two remarkable Canadians shared a vision of building a recreational trail stretching from coast to coast to coast, linking Canadians in every province and territory. They launched the Trans Canada Trail in 1992, as part of Canada's 125th Anniversary celebrations.

Today more than 70 percent of the Trail's 22,000-km route is complete. It is being used by millions of Canadians and international visitors to explore and discover Canada's diverse landscapes and rich history.

The event at Rideau Hall will be attended by Dr. Camu and Mrs. Milli Pratt ; along with patrons and supporters; and Board members, representatives of provincial/territorial trail organizations, volunteers and trail users who are in Ottawa for the Trans Canada Trail's 2009 Annual General Meeting.

One of the most important items on the AGM agenda is discussion of a Trail Master Plan and completion strategy by 2017. "2017 will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Trans Canada Trail and Canada's 150th year since Confederation. Completion of the Trail will be a major cause for celebration, as an important legacy for Canadians today and for generations to come," says Valerie Pringle .

Media representatives are invited to attend the Rideau Hall event, as well as three trail activities for AGM participants, where they can hear wonderful stories about the Trail and meet enthusiastic trail volunteers and adventurers.

    
    - Wakefield Walk: Thursday September 24 at 1:30 p.m. Walk starts at Parc
      de la Gatineau (Parking 17) and lasts approximately 2 hours with stops
      and information. Meet representatives of Trans Canada Trail Quebec and
      local volunteers, as well as Dana Meise, a Prince George forester, who
      is walking across Canada on the Trans Canada Trail: He is in the second
      year of his journey and has numerous stories to tell, having walked
      over 3000 kilometres to date from St John's, Newfoundland to
      Sherbrooke, Quebec.

    - Gatineau Park - Ottawa Bike Ride: Thursday September 24 at 1 p.m. The
      ride starts at 2 Rideau Street (bike rental). The 32-kilometre route
      showcases Trans Canada Trail pavilions in Gatineau and Ottawa and key
      Ottawa landmarks and history. Meet Trans Canada Trail officials and
      local volunteers; and hear the stories of Jeannette Klein and Donnamae
      Wilson, two remarkable women who are completing their 10,000-kilometre,
      multi-year bike ride across Canada on the Trans Canada Trail and who
      will be honoured at Majors Hill Park (stop 2 on the ride) by Chair
      Valerie Pringle.

    - Walk the Trail with Mrs. Laureen Harper and Valerie Pringle on Saturday
      September 26, starting at 9 a.m. at the Trans Canada Trail Pavilion in
      Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau, Quebec. Walk to the Bytown Museum and
      enjoy Ottawa landmarks and history.
    

For further information: and details about joining the activities, please contact: Jane Craig, Director of Communications, Trans Canada Trail, [phone], [email protected]; For more information on the ceremony at Rideau Hall, please contact: Julie Rocheleau, Media Relations Officer, Rideau Hall Press Office, [phone], [email protected]