August 30, 2006


PROVINCE COMMITS $1 MILLION
FOR TRANS CANADA TRAIL DEVELOPMENT IN MANITOBA

PINAWA-Premier Gary Doer announced the province is committing $1 million
to the Manitoba Recreational Trails Association and today is providing
$500,000 to assist volunteers in their efforts to continue the
construction of the Manitoba portion of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT)
with the remainder to flow over the next two years as the trail is
further developed.

"The trail highlights many of the incredible nature walks and vistas
Manitoba offers both visitors and those who are lucky enough to live
here," Doer said here today. "This funding will support volunteers with
special building projects along the Trans Canada Trail, the
implementation of a maintenance plan for the trail, interpretive signage
and administration."

The Trans Canada Trail is a shared-use trail (walking, cycling,
equestrian, skiing and snowmobiling), linking Canada's three oceans.
The 18,000-kilometre trail will be the longest continuous trail in the
world once it is complete. The 1,300-kilometre Manitoba portion of the
trail will link hundreds of communities and traverse seven eco-districts
when completed.

The trail crosses pristine landscapes from San Clara in the west to
Falcon Lake in the east and reaches down to the United States border at
Emerson. It also travels through Whiteshell Provincial Park, Lac du
Bonnet, Belair Provincial Forest, Grand Beach, the Mars Sand Hills,
Selkirk, Winnipeg, St. Norbert, Miami, Somerset, Spruce Woods Provincial
Park, Neepawa, Sandy Lake, Russell and Asessippi Provincial Park. The
official trail map is available at http://www.mrta.mb.ca for trail
updates prior to planning a hike.

The Manitoba Recreational Trails Association (MRTA), Manitoba's official
trail council, assists 17 community-based, volunteer trail groups which
are tackling the construction of the TCT across Manitoba.

"The Manitoba Trans Canada Trail is truly an outstanding example of how
volunteers throughout the province have created magnificent, multi-use
trails for our citizens and guests to Manitoba," said Doer.

Development of a provincial recreational trail complements several of
the key recommendations of the all-party Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures
Task Force. It highlights the promotion of activities that are less
dependent on expensive facilities.