Government of Canada Lends Support to Six Snowmobile Clubs for Trail Improvements in Abitibi-Temiscamingue - Nord-du-Quebec

VAL-D'OR, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Feb. 5, 2015) - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced that six snowmobile clubs in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec regions have been granted funding for trail improvements.

This financial assistance is being awarded in the form of six non-repayable contributions totalling $899,132 through CED's Quebec Economic Development Program.

Quick facts

• The six clubs receiving this funding from the Government of Canada are: Club de motoneige d'Amos Inc., Club Ski-Moteur Val-d'Or Inc., Club de motoneige d'Abitibi-Ouest Inc., Club d'autoneige de Chibougamau Inc., Club de motoneige de Lebel-sur-Quévillon Inc. and Club de moto-neige du Témiscamingue.
• The contributions granted by the Government of Canada will enable the clubs to improve their trails through the acquisition of new equipment (snow grooming machines, graders) and the repair and construction of bridges.

Quotes

"By funding these six snowmobile trail improvement projects, our government is showing that it is committed to promoting the development of winter tourism, a profitable sector for the economy."

Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

"The Quebec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is delighted about this support from Canada Economic Development and about the government's recognition of the importance of the snowmobiling industry as an economic and tourism lever in Quebec."

Roger Lévesque, Vice President of the Quebec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs and Regional Administrator for Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec

Related document

See the accompanying backgrounder for details on these six projects.

Related link

For more about the QEDP: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/eng/programs/qedp/index.html

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BACKGROUNDER

Government of Canada lends support to six snowmobile clubs for trail improvements in Abitibi-Témiscamingue - Nord-du-Québec

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced that six snowmobile clubs in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec regions have been granted funding for trail improvements.

This financial assistance is being awarded in the form of six non-repayable contributions totalling $899,132 through CED's Quebec Economic Development Program.

Promoter		Contribution - Investment - Project description
Club de motoneige d'Amos Inc.		Non-repayable contribution of $293,860 on a total investment of $587,720 Founded in 1972, Club de motoneige d'Amos is responsible for the upkeep of 226 km of permanent snowmobile trails certified by the Quebec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs. The club's project is aimed at improving productivity through the acquisition of a snow grooming machine, the reconstruction of the Peter-Brown River bridge on Trans-Québec trail no. 93 in Landrienne, the relocation of a four-kilometre span of interregional trail no. 307 and the construction of a new bridge over Dalquier River. These improvements will significantly increase snowmobiler safety.
Club Ski-Moteur Val-d'Or Inc.		Non-repayable contribution of $166,500 on a total investment of $333,000 Club Ski-Moteur de Val-d'Or was founded in 1969 and has more than 1,200 members. Mandated to maintain and ensure the safety of the 655 km of trails on its territory, the club also works with other regional tourism stakeholders to promote the sport of snowmobiling. The financial support from CED will enable Club Ski-Moteur Val-d'Or to purchase a snow grooming machine and grading equipment for its trails. The project will also involve renovating five bridges and widening six sections of trail over a total distance of 60 km. These upgrades will be made on the bridge and trail leading to the municipality of Lacorne, the bridge and trail to the northwest of Louvicourt, the bridge and trail to the southeast of Louvicourt, the bridge and trail to the south of Louvicourt, the bridge at Louvicourt along Trans-Québec trail no. 83, the trail to the south of Mourier Lake and transregional trail no. 309 north of Val-d'Or. Completion of this project will help support local efforts to make the region a prime destination for snowmobile enthusiasts.
Club de motoneige Abitibi-Ouest Inc.		Non-repayable contribution of $124,050 on a total investment of $248,099 Club de motoneige Abitibi-Ouest, with its 1,100 members, was founded in 1974 and is responsible for maintaining and ensuring the safety of 456 kilometres of snowmobile trail no. 93 linking Ontario to the Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec regions. The funding from CED will allow Club de motoneige d'Abitibi-Ouest to acquire a snow grooming machine, plow and accessories. This project will facilitate trail upkeep and ensure that snowmobilers have access to safer trails that are better suited to their needs.
Club d'autoneige de Chibougamau Inc.		Non-repayable contribution of $123,772 on a total investment of $247,544 The 365-member Club de motoneige de Chibougamau is responsible for the maintenance of 322 km of snowmobile trails, 166 km of them on a circuit that provides direct access to restaurants and outfitters and is travelled by more than 2,000 tourists a year. The club will use the financial support from CED to buy a snow grooming machine and grader in order to improve its productivity and ensure the sustainability of the Trans-Québec and transregional trails. This project will, among other things, contribute to the economic diversification of the Nord-du-Québec region.
Club de motoneige de Lebel-sur-Quévillon Inc.		Non-repayable contribution of $120,950 on a total investment of $241,900 Founded in 1974, Club de motoneige de Lebel-sur-Quévillon has over 110 members and oversees the safety and upkeep of 180 km of snowmobile trails. The funding from CED will serve for the acquisition of a snow grooming machine and grader. This will enable the club to ensure the maintenance and sustainability of the trails and allow snowmobilers to better circulate among the neighbouring towns. The snowmobile industry is an important part of the Nord-du-Québec economy.
Club de moto-neige du Témiscamingue		Non-repayable contribution of $70,000 on a total investment of $140,000 Club de moto-neige du Témiscamingue was created in 1980 from the amalgamation of 22 district clubs covering 21 municipalities. Headed up by a board of directors composed of seven volunteers, the 540-member club is responsible for the upkeep and safety of 600 km of trails and receives visiting snowmobilers from other Canadian provinces and the United States. The contribution from CED will enable Club de moto-neige de Témiscamingue to improve its productivity by rebuilding the bridge over Lac-Stone on Trans-Québec trail no. 63 linking Abitibi-Témiscamingue to the Outaouais region. This trail is of strategic importance to the regional snowmobile industry in that it is one of the main gateways to the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region for tourists coming from Ontario.

Summary
Total number of projects:	6
Total contribution from CED:	$899,132
Total investment generated by these projects:	$1,798,263