For several years, club volunteers have seen their efforts to create trails in their area destroyed due to trails being cut for various reasons, including logging.
Recently, Trans Québec trail number 83 completely disappeared after forestry operations were carried out in a specific area.
To get around, we destroyed the path in order to find the multifunctional road for transporting wood. Discussions with the contractor resulted in the latter committing to correct the situation, but the damage was done.
“We work a year in advance with the agencies to prepare the season for snowmobilers to visit, including foreign tourists. We need to book different services like meals at the relays and more. After all these efforts, to see the main trail destroyed over a large part of the route, it really hurts us financially,” explains Max Béland of the Hosanna outfitter.
“We are aware that forestry contractors must earn their living. However, I believe that we should harmonize uses to ensure that everyone can live. »
The tourists
According to the information obtained, for example, the wholesaler Canada Aventure brings 10,000 foreign tourists to Quebec annually. The latter must follow routes which take them to the different product suppliers in the regions, including outfitters. The situation experienced this season means that many outfitters and other service providers fear losing this income which is essential during the winter season.
The owners of the Lac Dumoulin outfitter told us that they had already lost tens of thousands of dollars due to cancellations.
“I believe it is important to clearly define the parameters for the future in order to avoid this type of situation, which does us a lot of harm financially,” mentions the co-owner of the outfitter, Dany Frigon. Let us clearly explain the rules of the game and we will act accordingly! »
This way of doing things, of not dealing with the consequences of cutting a trail in a region, is spreading almost everywhere.
Currently, in Bas-Saint-Laurent, in Bellechasse and elsewhere, portions of trails are closed, due to conflicts that have nothing to do with the snowmobile world.
Several speakers announce loudly and clearly that if they are not successful in their case, they will cut the rights of way.
-Snowmobiling and club volunteers find themselves held hostage in causes that do not concern them at all.
The government, via the ministries concerned, must intervene to define the parameters of what the future of snowmobiling in Quebec will be.
Economic reality
It has been proven, with supporting figures, that snowmobiling allows several regions to survive economically during the winter. If there are no snowmobilers there, things will be very complicated for many people from different backgrounds who experience it in winter.
According to the figures obtained, it is estimated that nearly $4 billion in economic benefits are linked to snowmobiling in Quebec. An estimated 14,000 direct and indirect jobs are linked to snowmobiling. Also, the two levels of government receive hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes on the various services used by snowmobilers.
As I recently mentioned in a column, we need to think about the network of snowmobile trails in Quebec.
The government must act
Currently, many are turning to the Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec, so that its leaders can resolve the problems. They want to do it, but they still need to have free rein.
Currently, snowmobile clubs operate according to the Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) Act of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.
But, when they find themselves on the ground, they must deal with the Ministry of Natural Resources and other stakeholders, including the ZECs, who operate according to a memorandum of understanding for the delegation of government management for the administration of their territories, without forgetting the landowners. That’s a lot of violins to tune.
So, if we want to ensure the future of snowmobiling in Quebec, with a solid network of trails, the different ministries must talk to each other, including the Ministry of Tourism.
The creation of a protocol between the different stakeholders will ensure the sustainability of the trails throughout Quebec. It’s great to boast that we have the most beautiful network of snowmobile trails in the world, but we still have to ensure its survival.
