Two snowmobile clubs will receive nearly $287,000
February 14, 2019 – Saint-Gédéon, Quebec – Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)
The tourism sector is a major economic driver across the country. It helps ensure sustainable growth and creates good jobs for middle-class families, both in urban centres like Québec City as well as in smaller communities such as Saint-Gédéon. That is why the government is investing $286,983 to support tourism and the economy of Lac‑Saint-Jean.
Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, and Richard Hébert, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion and Member of Parliament for Lac-Saint-Jean, announced that Club de motoneigistes Lac St-Jean and Club Passe-Partout Roberval would receive $147,983 and $139,000, respectively, in non-repayable contributions.
CED's contributions will be used to purchase high-efficiency equipment to improve snowmobile trail maintenance and safety for users' benefit. In addition to being popular among foreign tourists, snowmobiling generates significant regional economic benefits by fostering the sustainability of tourist accommodation establishments and nearby businesses.
This announcement comes as part of Minister Joly's meetings with local tourism and travel experts in all regions of Canada. Her cross-Canada tour began in November and helped identify opportunities for maximizing Canada's tourism potential. The Minister listened and now encourages the experts involved to delve into and further explore the cornerstones to developing the national tourism strategy.
"Our government recognizes that tourism supports all regions of the country, including Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, by creating good jobs for middle-class families. Over the last few months, I have had the privilege of meeting with people throughout the country who are going the extra mile to make Canada a tourism destination of choice. Their unique experience and the work of the Advisory Committee will inform our next federal tourism strategy, the goal of which will be to maximize Canada's tourism potential. The future is bright for the Canadian tourism industry."
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie
"Tourism is a very significant activity sector for Quebec's regions, and the Government of Canada is working hard to make it profitable for everyone. There is no doubt that the Winter Tourism Initiative will create jobs and generate wealth for the regions, while helping showcase all Quebec communities."
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED
"I am thrilled about CED's support for the purchase of new equipment, which will certainly make snowmobilers and local tourism businesses very happy, as the popularity of snowmobile trails is closely linked to their quality. It goes without saying that this tourism infrastructure helps improve winter tourism and stimulate economic activity in our region."
Richard Hébert, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion and Member of Parliament for Lac-Saint-Jean
"Our trails provide access to hundreds of kilometres of trails near resorts in Lac-Saint-Jean. Naturally, snowmobiling is a major activity in the region and a definite asset in terms of winter tourism. CED's support will allow us to provide safe, top-quality trails, thus making our region a destination of choice for snowmobiling enthusiasts."
Gaétan Gagné, President, Club de motoneigistes Lac St-Jean, and Éric Morin, President, Club Passe-Partout Roberval
"Snowmobiling generates over $3 billion annually in economic benefits for Quebec. This major industry, tirelessly run by thousands of volunteers, is appreciative of CED's financial assistance which, through the Winter Tourism Initiative, will help rejuvenate the fleet of maintenance equipment belonging to the largest network of snowmobile trails in the world."
Mario Gagnon, President of the Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec
Quick facts
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Tourism accounts for 2% of Canada's gross domestic product.
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Tourism supports 1.8 million jobs across the country.
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CED is one of the six regional development agencies under the responsibility of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
