SERVICES

SAVES OUR TRAILS CAMPAIGN

Download the Save Our Trails Campaign Brochure

Dear Hikers, Walkers and Concerned Citizens of Ontario ,

The future of hiking and walking trails in Ontario is threatened. The primary issue affecting trails is the crippling effect of liability insurance, because of exposure to unfounded or frivolous claims, which must be defended regardless of their validity.

The new Ontario Trails Strategy speaks to the serious threat that increasing insurance costs are having on Ontario's trails, with stakeholders reporting that the cost of liability insurance for trail organizations is becoming prohibitive.

Many volunteer hiking and trail organizations face extinction from increases to their liability insurance premiums. Last year the Sudbury Hiking Club closed due to the high cost of insurance premiums. The Avon Trail, Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association and Voyageur Trail have seen similar struggles because their supporting volunteer associations cannot afford the new high premiums, due to the high cost of insurance. Most trail organizations' liability insurance policies increased by over 40% in 2004 and by that much again in 2005.

Why are trails so important?

The network of long-distance hiking trails in Ontario is an asset to the health of Ontarians, to our tourism and recreation industries, and is a vital part of the government's official, Ontario Trails Strategy. However, the Ontario hiking trails network is almost entirely created and maintained by volunteers. Most of these trails rely heavily on informal permissions from private landowners, who are increasingly withdrawing permission because of liability worries. The system is in danger of collapsing and would be almost impossible to re-create if the volunteer support were lost.

It is ludicrous that volunteers, who, through goodwill and hard work, create a path for walkers, should be judged to have created a liability for themselves. If we build a bridge or steps to make passage easier and to reduce the impact of foot traffic on the environment, we should NOT be legally liable for the safety of users, who would otherwise have to scramble through the countryside's inherent hazards. Such implied liability is a major cause of the litigation that is so widespread in our society and the cause of such a chill on many worthwhile activities. The answer is not a dollar cap on settlement amounts, but a legislated redefinition of responsibility. Life is not risk-free; people in general must be made to take responsibility for their own activities and to stop trying to blame other people for their misfortunes or imprudence.

The same issues apply to almost all trail users and all volunteer-based organizations in the province. With 45,000 not-for-profit organizations and millions of volunteers, the impact could be huge.

It is time for the trail supporters to join this common cause and work with provincial government for additional protection for landowners, trail organizations and volunteers. We need to band together with the snowmobile associations and the other trails groups to work with the government to create an amendment to the Occupiers Liability Act.

The future of the Ontario Trails Network is threatened. If we can't improve the legislative protection of the trails and trail organizations as they have in other jurisdictions like Nova Scotia, BC and New Hampshire, the future of Ontario's gift of access to the world of nature may be lost forever. It is up to every one of us to help SAVE THE TRAILS.

What can you do to help?

1) Become a regular user of the hiking and walking trails in Ontario . Support the Active 2010 program to help all citizens become active and live a healthy life style.

2) Become a member of one of our hiking or walking clubs and support their activities.

3) Bring the children of Ontario out onto the Trail Network to instil in them a love and appreciation for the natural world and the paths that lead them there.

4) The network of hiking trails in Ontario has been constructed and is maintained by volunteers - become a volunteer with one of the trail clubs and do your part.

5) Contact the Ministry of Health Promotion. Write letters, place phone calls and communicate your passion to SAVE THE TRAILS.

Write to:

Jim Watson, Minister
Ministry of Health Promotion
250 Yonge Street , 35th Floor
Toronto , Ontario
M5B 2N5
Phone: 416-326-4846
Fax: 416-326-4864

The trail network in Ontario has created a half billion-dollar industry with more that 45,000 km of trail. Do NOT allow Ontario 's Trails to be put at risk. It is in every citizen's interest to take action to help save our trails. Don't wait till it's too late. Please do your part NOW.