The connection of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT) has been achieved in the Yukon.

That makes it the third province or territory—after Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island—to reach the milestone.

Over the weekend, the CIBC unveiled its $750,000 gift to help the TCT connect Canada.

Government representatives on hand for the event included Mélanie Joly, the federal minister of Canadian Heritage, and Commissioner Doug Phillips.

“The TCT is on a bold mission to connect Canada in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, to unite the second largest country in the world via an interconnected recreational trail that showcases our spectacular natural landscapes and our vibrant and diverse communities,” said Deborah Apps, the TCT’s president and CEO and event emcee.

“This achievement in Canada’s magnificent Yukon brings us much closer to our goal, which would not be possible without the support of the government at all levels, our partners, volunteers and all of our donors, including CIBC, for their generous support of Trail development across Canada.”

The CIBC’s $750,000 supports trail development across Canada via TCT’s Chapter 150 fundraising campaign.

It calls upon Canada’s business and philanthropic leaders to contribute to the trail’s full connection by 2017, and help to make it the natural stage for Canada 150 celebrations.

“CIBC is proud to help mark the completion of the TCT in the Yukon and connect this majestic trail to the rest of Canada,” said Mike Stevenson, the bank’s senior vice-president, region head of B.C. and the territories.

“Our rich history goes back as long as Canada’s with strong pioneering roots here in the North, so it’s a natural fit for us to support this important milestone and help connect and engage Canadians in time to celebrate our shared 150th birthday with Canada in 2017.”

All gifts to the TCT are matched by the federal government. It’s part of a matching funding program approved in 2014 to support TCT’s 2017 national connection goal by contributing $1 for every two raised by the TCT

“Nearly 25 years ago in 1992 – the year of Canada’s 125th birthday – the Trans Canada Trail initiative was created,” said Joly.

“Since then, the trail has grown to become a national legacy for all Canadians and, once connected, will unite us from coast to coast to coast.

“It is truly emblematic of the richness and diversity of our great nation.

“Today’s milestone celebration in the Yukon is another important step toward the trail achieving full connection in time for the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.”

Joly urged Canadians to support the trail’s continued development.

“It is a wonderful representation of our history, culture and natural heritage, one that will continue to thrive and be cherished for generations to come.”

Every jurisdiction is home to its own section of the TCT, which is owned and operated at the local level.

The TCT’s Yukon partner, the Klondike Snowmobile Association (KSA), has been the driving force in connecting the TCT across the territory.

The KSA will continue to play a key leadership role in maintaining and improving the trail in the Yukon in the years to come.

“We’re proud of the fact that the TCT in the Yukon is now officially connected,” said KSA president Mark Daniels.

“It’s quite a milestone, and it gives us a sense of accomplishment.

“Our affiliation with the TCT means a lot because it broadens our base of appeal and our visibility as stewards of a multi-use trail network, while elevating the status of recreational trails in the Yukon.”

The TCT’s route in the Yukon now spans just over 1,600 kilometres from the B.C. border at Watson Lake, to the border with the Northwest Territories.

Its uses range from mountain biking, cross-country skiing, mushing (dogsledding), to snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

“We congratulate the Klondike Snowmobile Association’s ongoing dedication to the development and stewardship of safe and accessible snowmobile trails,” said Dale Hickox, the president of the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO).

“The partnership with the Trans Canada Trail profiles snowmobiling as a key Canadian recreational winter activity, one that can be enjoyed safely by Canadians and tourists alike, in spectacular destinations like the Yukon. These trails access the winter paradise that many only dream about.”

“The TCT began in 1992 as a dream to connect Canadians from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic oceans by 2017,” said Apps.

“The dream is rapidly becoming a reality, which is an amazing achievement for a vast country like Canada, and this is only the beginning of an even greater adventure for Canadians.”

The trail’s main route spans nearly 19,000 kilometres. The goal is to connect and develop the entire route across the country to almost 24,000 kilometres, becoming the world’s longest, grandest network of recreational trails in the world.

See related story.