Levels of government declare support for construction of G2G Connection Trail

GUELPH – A message was delivered by municipal, provincial and federal elected representatives in attendance at the G2G Rail Trail community meeting in Guelph on May 30. 

A press release stated they “fully support” construction of an off-road trail that connects Guelph to the 132-km G2G Rail Trail to Goderich, ideally in time for the Guelph and Goderich bicentennials in 2027. 

In remarks backing the G2G Guelph Connection Trail project, Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner and Guelph MP Dominique O’Rourke all praised the legacy of the late project champion John Fisher, and lauded the advocacy work of G2G Rail Trail and local community stakeholders in bringing the project to its current stage.

Speakers also included Guelph mayoral candidate and long-time councillor Leanne Caron, who pledged her support to complete the project, as well as Speed River Bicycle co-owner James Fedosov, who explained how supporting the new trail will benefit all Guelphites, and G2G Guelph volunteer committee member Cyndy McLean who outlined the positive outcomes of developing a trail connection fully accessible to mobility device users. 

G2G Rail Trail executive director Willow Hall provided a detailed look at the progress made in the past year, including how a unique community-led city-supported delivery model is working, and outlined next steps to complete the project by 2027.

Strong support

“Advocacy works,” said Guthrie. “Especially when it is really nice and respectful, it is really great. I put money in the budget this year because of the advocacy of the G2G group. Straight up.”

The mayor, who will not be running in this year’s municipal election, noted council (including councillor  Phil Allt who was in attendance) and city staff have been fully supportive. 

“I am the one that is in the hallways every day. I see what our staff do … I want everyone to know that [parks department general manager Gene Matthews] and his staff, they are taking this seriously. I see it. I hear it. It goes right to the top how they want to support this moving forward.”

Caron pointed to return on investment and quality of life benefits as reasons to get the trail connection built. 

“You absolutely have my full support and I’ll be championing the completion of the G2G Trail in the bicentennial,” she noted, adding the links between the founding stories of Guelph and Goderich. “What better opportunity (to celebrate) than to finally complete this connection.”

Guelph MPP Schreiner highlighted that the G2G Rail Trail has support from MPPs all along the route. At a recent Bruce Trail Conservancy event at Queen’s Park, he recounted asking, “While we’re at it, can we get everybody in this room to support the G2G Trail as well?” In response, he said, “The place exploded with people clapping.”

There’s lots of provincial support [for the G2G trail],” he continued. “I think you’re going to hear some positive news soon.”

Guelph MP O’Rourke, who became very familiar with the connection trail project while on council, said she is staying close to the file in her new role. “I will continue to be your advocate in Ottawa for the G2G trail,” she stated. “What is amazing about a mobilized group of individuals like you is that you keep pushing, you keep moving that vision forward so that people in other levels of government are able to also bring that vision and keep it alive.” 

‘Good for business’

Local bike shop co-owner Fedosov took time from one of his busiest retail days of the year to make a powerful case for the economic benefits of getting the connection trail built. The benefits will extend to everyone in the city, regardless of their ward, he said.

“The argument to get it done is not a cycling specific one,” said Fedosov. “It is an economic development one. Downtown Guelph and the connection to the G2G have something in common and it’s that both can contribute to economic activity that can help fund municipal services city wide.”

He pointed out that without a fully connected G2G, Guelph is currently missing a key business opportunity to attract visitors and grow as a tourism gateway.  The benefits will follow, he said.  

“Dollars spent in cafes, restaurants, hotels and retail stores in a dense commercial district help support businesses that occupy some of the most tax productive land in the city. Over time a strong local economy contributes to a stronger tax base, helping fund municipal services that will benefit Guelphites from across all wards.” 

G2G Guelph Connection Trail working committee volunteer McLean said she became passionate about the project after she and her partner used hand cycles (a three-wheel trike exclusively propelled by arms) to cycle in stages from Guelph to Goderich. 

“I can tell you that as a wheelchair user I never imagined that would be possible,” she said. “It was pretty thrilling.”

However, her experience hand cycling on Silvercreek Parkway, which is currently the only way to reach the G2G trailhead at Silvercreek Parkway North from Guelph, was harrowing. 

“There is a very special terror that comes with travelling about a foot off the ground with a transport truck only a few feet from you,” she said. “If I needed to be reminded about the importance of a safe and accessible off-road route that’s a one and only trip. This will never be done again. You survive it. You don’t do it again.”

McLean explained key requirements for the new Connection Trail include a longitudinal slope that doesn’t exceed five per cent and a cross-slope that doesn’t exceed two per cent.  

“When it comes to accessibility, we know that if we can meet the needs of people that have mobility disabilities, we’re going to meet the needs of the broader community … They’re going to be thrilled to have a wide, safe, accessible, trail.”

Latest status

The progress made in the past year has been significant, explained G2G executive director Willow Hall. He noted consultation has been completed with city staff, with the city-owned Guelph Junction Railway, including a rail trail safety audit and with landowners, all of whom are on board with the location and general plan for the new trail.

“Now we are moving from the idea and the dream,” said Hall. “From 2025 until now we have done the work, we have done consultation … Not only is this project feasible, it’s supported by those key stakeholders. It’s an important process that did take a lot of engagement.”

The project is now in the detailed design phase with local engineering company Crozier Consulting Engineers. The hope, he said, is to have a 90 per cent design agreed upon this summer, a requirement before going to tender and construction.

Other steps underway include consultation with the County of Wellington for the trail’s north end access point and parking lot, and the undertaking of an environmental impact study with Aboud and Associates.

Model supported

Speakers continued to highlight the project’s community-led city-supported model. McLean, who along with Hall and a core working committee of Guelph-based volunteers have been meeting every week to advance the project, said, “The city probably didn’t imagine a project of this size, complexity, to be part of that kind of framework but we are doing it. And we’re excited about it.”

The model speaks to the strengths of each organization, said Hall. For instance, the city brings expertise from different departments, including environmental, active transportation, and parks. 

The G2G can bring the admin, ability to pay and hold contracts, and knowledge of other similar projects necessary to keep things moving. 

And GTUC (the Guelph Trail User Coalition) has been delivering important advocacy to the table. 

“The Guelph Junction Railway, being a city owned company, has also supported this project,” said Hall. 

“They have fully come on board and they are helping us push this thing forward.”

Matthews, who is also the CEO of Guelph Junction Railway, and the Connection Trail sponsor for the city, concurred.

“This community led city supported model, this is not what we envisioned,” said Matthews. 

“But it is fantastic and it absolutely is working. … We have created a lot of value with that process with the community, with the city, and we’re getting faith and trust in council and with the mayor that this model absolutely can work.”

Looking ahead

Hall explained that the next milestones are to secure design and cost certainty, and line up permits and agreements. With those in hand, the focus will turn to funding and construction. 

Construction will be led by city staff, an area of expertise recently highlighted once again with the completion of the Woolwich to Woodlawn trail.

“We have an idea of how much this project will cost based on the 30% design,” said Hall. 

The project is estimated to cost $1.5 million to $2 million for the 2.7-kilometre connection. 

Hall explained the money comes from a combination of community members, partner organizations, provincial partners and potentially federal partners. 

“Using the community led city supported model, and a private, public partnership model, we can get this thing done and we can raise significant dollars and build this next year,” he shared.

Hall had one final request.  

He said, “If you have experience with fundraising … if you have a passion for fundraising, if you’re just passionate about this project and you feel you can talk about it and pitch it, come and talk to us and we could really use your help.”