Club des Alléghanish des Bois-Francs: safer snowmobile trails through a new snow-grooming machine

The Government of Canada awards more than $120,000 in financial assistance to the Centre-du-Québec snowmobile club

VICTORIAVILLE, QC, Jan. 16, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

The Club des Alléghanish des Bois-Francs inc. is responsible for maintaining roughly 224 kilometres of snowmobile trails in the Arthabaska RCM in Centre-du-Québec and the Les Sources RCM in the Eastern Townships. To continue ensuring snowmobilers' safety and to improve the quality of the trails, the club will receive a non-repayable contribution of $122,500 from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. With that funding, the club will be able to purchase a more powerful snow-grooming machine.

The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Member of Parliament for Honoré-Mercier and Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED, announced that funding today.

The Government of Canada's assistance will help ensure the quality and longevity of the snowmobile trails maintained by this 900-member snowmobile club that was founded in 1972. In addition to improving safety out on the trails, this support for the development of winter tourism in the region will help create more good middle-class jobs and stimulate economic growth in the surrounding communities.

The funding was awarded under the Winter Tourism Initiative of CED's Quebec Economic Development Program. This initiative supports the purchase of equipment for maintaining snowmobile trails or cross-country ski trails. With a budget of $10 million in effect until March 31, 2020, it aims to increase the regional benefits generated by tourists from outside Quebec.

The Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec (FCMQ) is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and promoting safe snowmobiling. The 200 snowmobile clubs affiliated with the FCMQ maintain more than 34,000 kilometres of trails throughout Quebec.

The Government of Canada does not hesitate to support recreational, cultural or sports-related projects that have a positive impact on local tourism and the local economy, that further showcase the unique attractions around us and that resonate far beyond Centre-du-Québec and Eastern Townships.

Quotes

"I am delighted with the funding provided by CED through this initiative, which will definitely make snowmobilers, tourism operators and local businesses very happy. Recreational infrastructure such as snowmobile trails helps make our regions more attractive and boosts economic activity."

The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism

"Tourism is a very important industry sector for the regions of Quebec, and the Government of Canada makes every effort to make it profitable for everyone. There is no doubt that the Winter Tourism Initiative will help create jobs and wealth for the regions, while contributing to the reputation of all Quebec communities."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED

"Tourism is an economic driver in all of our communities. Winter tourism vitalizes the region during our coldest months and ensures a year-round influx of visitors, which contributes to the vitality of the local economy. Our government is proud to promote initiatives that contribute to the economic development of communities and that support good middle-class jobs." 

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie

"Snowmobiling generates economic benefits of over $3 billion a year in Quebec. This major industry, operated through the sheer dedication of thousands of volunteers, is grateful for CED's financial support that, through the Winter Tourism Initiative, will help renew the fleet of equipment used to maintain the largest snowmobile trail network in the world."  

Mario Gagnon, President of the Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec

Quick facts

• CED is one of the six regional development agencies under the responsibility of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
• For more information about CED and its priorities, read the 2018-2019 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec-ced.gc.ca.
• For 50 years now, the Government of Canada has been actively participating in regional economic development in Quebec: half a century of concrete action targeting the growth of Quebec's regions and businesses.

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions