Dianne Whelan

For more than six years, I hiked, biked, snowshoed and paddled a canoe across every inch of the Trans Canada Trail – from St. John’s and Saskatoon, to Tuktoyaktuk and Toronto. I began this journey looking for adventure, but what I found was much more meaningful — a connection to this land and its people. 

On the quiet, remote stretches, I had a chance to really appreciate the diversity of the environment. In the heart of our cities, I discovered the energy of community. And everywhere I travelled, I met people who, like me, found something profound on the trail — whether it was peace, purpose, or the simple joy of being surrounded by nature. 

This kind of connection to the environment, to communities, and to each other is valuable. My journey across the Trail wasn’t easy; we have a challenging landscape, but even after six years and tens of thousands of kilometres, I am certain that the Trans Canada Trail is important, and it is worth supporting.