Club de Moto-Neige ASAN, Club de motos-neige des Érables, and Club des neiges Sorel-Tracy: safer snowmobile trails through new snow-grooming machines

The Government of Canada grants a total of nearly $430,000 in financial assistance to three snowmobile clubs in the Centre-du-Québec and Montérégie areas

SAINT-HYACINTHE, QC, Nov. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

Club de Moto-Neige ASAN inc., Club de motos-neige des Érables inc. and Club des neiges Sorel-Tracy inc. are responsible for maintaining roughly 590 kilometres of snowmobile trails in the Centre-du-Québec and Montérégie regions. To continue ensuring snowmobilers' safety and to improve the quality of the trails, the clubs will receive a total of $429,028 in non-repayable contributions from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. With that funding, the three clubs will be able to purchase new snow-grooming machines and more powerful equipment.

David Lametti, Member of Parliament for LaSalle–Émard–Verdun and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced that funding today. The Government of Canada's assistance will help ensure the quality and longevity of the snowmobile trails maintained by the Club de Moto-Neige ASAN, the Club de motos-neige des Érables Inc. and the Club des neiges Sorel-Tracy. In addition to reducing maintenance time and improving trail safety, this assistance will contribute to the vitality of winter tourism in the Centre-du-Québec and Montérégie regions.

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 the RCMs served by the ASAN, des Érables and Sorel-Tracy clubs.

Quotes

 "Winter tourism greatly contributes to the economic vitality of the Centre-du-Québec and Montérégie areas, and snowmobiling and cross-country skiing attract not just regional enthusiasts, but also international tourists. Better-quality trails will only strengthen these regions' reputation and visibility as a prime destination."

David Lametti, MP for LaSalle–Émard–Verdun and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"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, MP for Ahuntsic-Cartierville and 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

• Today's announcement is made on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for the Innovation, Science and Economic Development portfolio, which includes 17 federal departments and agencies, including CED and the five other regional development agencies.
• For more information about CED and its priorities, read the 2018-19 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec-ced.gc.ca.
• This year marks the 50th anniversary of federal regional economic development in Quebec: a half-century of concrete actions devoted to the development of the regions and local businesses.
• For more information about the projects, please refer to the related backgrounder.

Backgrounder

Proponent	Contribution — Investments – Project Description
Club de motos-neige des Érables inc.	Non-repayable contribution of $161,220 out of a total investment of $268, 700. The project aims to ensure the quality and longevity of the snowmobile trails maintained by the Club de motos-neige des Érables. CED's contribution will go towards the purchase of a new snow-grooming machine, including a tractor, a track system, a front snowplow and a rear groomer. Purchasing a more powerful machine will enable the club to reduce the time required for completing maintenance trips and will also increase the quality of them. The Club de motos-neige des Érables is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1972. This organization, which owns a snow-grooming machine, maintains 104 km of trails, 67 km of which are Trans-Québec and trans-regional trails. The club has 266 members and 10 volunteers trained in trail maintenance and safety.
Club des neiges Sorel-Tracy inc.	Non-repayable contribution of $137,045 out of a total investment of $274,090 The aim of the project is to ensure and enhance the region's winter tourism offering by improving the maintenance of the snowmobile trails served by the Club des neiges Sorel-Tracy, i.e. the entire RCM of Pierre-de-Saurel. CED's assistance will cover the costs associated with purchasing a new snow-grooming machine, including a tractor, a track system, a front snowplow and a rear groomer. The project will help ensure the viability and quality of 98 km of Trans-Québec trails, 17 km of regional trails and 78 km of local trails. Founded in 1970, the Club des neiges Sorel-Tracy is a non-profit organization with 900 members and 45 volunteers. The area covered by this club involves managing and maintaining 193 km of trails.
Club de Moto-Neige ASAN inc.	Non-repayable contribution of $130,763 out of a total investment of $261,525 The project aims to ensure the quality and longevity of the snowmobile trails maintained by the Club de Moto-Neige ASAN. The project involves acquiring new surfacing equipment for mechanical maintenance of the trails. CED's contribution will go towards purchasing a 2017 Pisten Trail Bully. Purchasing a fourth snow-grooming machine for this club will reduce the time required to complete the maintenance trips and also increase the quality of them. The Club de Moto-Neige ASAN of the RCM of Maskoutains is a non-profit organization created in 1972. This organization maintains 294 km of trails, 179 km of which are trans-regional trails. This club has 900 members.
Summary	Number of projects: 3 CED's contributions: $429,028 Total investments generated by these projects: $804,315

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

For further information: Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, 514-283-7443, [e-mail]