SAINT-FÉLICIEN, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Oct. 26, 2012) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced that five Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean snowmobiling clubs and one quad club have been granted financial assistance to purchase snow grooming machines and restore trails.
"By lending its support to the projects of these Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean snowmobile clubs and quad club, our government is demonstrating its firm commitment to promoting tourism development, a high-yield sector for the economy," noted Minister Lebel.
"The Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean is a vast winter playground, which gives it broad appeal for snowmobiling and quad enthusiasts from near and far. Their presence is a boon to the economic health of the region and the businesses associated, either directly or indirectly, with these sports," said Jacques Tremblay, President of Club Relais des Buttes Inc.
The five organizations acquired new snow groomers for trail maintenance, and the sixth was able to rehabilitate trail culverts, thereby strengthening the region's position as a premier winter destination. High efficiency equipment is essential for providing users with safe, accessible trails that meet snowmobile industry standards. Quebec is world renowned for the quality of its 33,000-kilometre network of snowmobile trails throughout the province. Snowmobiling and quad riding generate significant spin-offs in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region every year.
The tourism industry is of prime importance to the Canadian economy, creating jobs and spin-offs that contribute to the vitality of communities in every region of the country. The financial assistance announced today is in line with the newly minted National Tourism Strategy, an initiative dedicated to promoting Canada as a top tourist destination.
Information:
These contributions, totalling $481,911 in non-repayable funding, have been granted under the Community Diversification program. Completion of the projects generated an overall investment of $1,016,855.
Since November 2011, Canada Economic Development has awarded more than $4 million to Quebec 25 snowmobile and quad clubs for projects that have generated almost $7 million in overall investment. Since 2006, more than $19 million have been granted to 151 snowmobile and quad clubs across the province, resulting in nearly $37 million in total investment.
For further details on the seven projects, see the accompanying backgrounder.
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Funding granted under the Community Diversification program
| Promoter | Description - Investment - Contribution | |
| Club Relais des Buttes Inc. | Non-repayable contribution of $100,000 / Total investment of $200,000 The purchase of a snow-grooming machine will ensure the maintenance and sustainability of inter-regional trail 373, which allows users from Abitibi, Mauricie and Nord-du-Québec to access the region by snowmobile. |
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| Club de motoneigistes du Saguenay Inc. | Non-repayable contributions of $97,555 and $121,556 / Total investment of $499,000 The project involves purchasing two snowmobile trail groomers to ensure the upkeep of inter-regional trail 83 and transregional trails 368 and 383. The project is part of a comprehensive Club strategy to improve the effectiveness of its equipment and ensure trail sustainability. |
|
| Club de motoneigistes du Fjord Inc. | Non-repayable contribution of $97,555 / Total investment of $195,110 The project involves purchasing a snow-grooming machine to ensure the maintenance of a portion of inter-regional trail 383. This acquisition will afford users, including many American and European visitors, easy, quality snowmobile access to the region's various tourist attractions. |
|
| Club Quad Aventure Valin | Non-repayable contribution of $34,000 / Total investment of $68,000 The purchase of a snowmobile trail groomer will improve the maintenance of 140 kilometres of quad trails during the winter season. This project is aimed at supporting the diversification of recreational and tourist activities in the Monts-Valin area. |
|
| Club motoneige Dolbeau-Mistassini Inc. | Non-repayable contribution of $16,245 / Total investment of $24,745 The project involves rehabilitating four trail culverts to ensure the safety and quality of snowmobiling in the region. |
|
| Association de motoneigistes Boule de Neige Inc. | Non-repayable contribution of $15,000 / Total investment of $30,000 The project involves purchasing a snow-groomer to maintain inter-regional trail 83. This acquisition will provide users, many of them foreign tourists, with safe, quality snowmobile access to the region's various tourist attractions. |
| Summary | |
| Total number of projects: | 7 |
| Total contribution from Canada Economic Development: | $481,911 |
| Total investment generated by these projects: | $1,016,855 |
Contact Information:
Canada Economic Development
514-283-8818
media@dec-ced.gc.ca
Genevieve Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
514-496-1282
genevieve.sicard@tc.gc.ca