Allyson Beauregard
Allyson Beauregard
MRC PONTIAC & PONTIAC – During the 10th annual Volunteer Recognition Awards for Off-Road Vehicles (ORV) held at the National Assembly on November 20, François Bonnardel, Minister of Transport, confirmed that 10 Outaouais snowmobile and ATV clubs will receive $504,281 in financial assistance to support safe recreational activities and maintain trail networks while respecting the environment.
The Pontiac Snowmobile Association Inc. received $26,856 and the Pingouin Snowmobile Club was awarded $99,394 through the Trail Maintenance component of the Programme d’aide financière aux clubs de motoneigistes du Québec. Club Quad du Pontiac received $46,730 through the Trail Maintenance component of the Programme d’aide financière aux véhicules tout-terrain du Québec.
Both programs are funded by a contribution from the registration of each ORV, which is then transferred to the Land Transport Networks Fund. All clubs receive about the same amount each year from the Ministry, which is used to cover operating expenses like equipment, grooming trails, paying operators, etc. The amount is determined by the number of kilometers of trails each club manages.
According to snowmobile and ATV federations across Québec, trail networks are maintained and monitored by some 8,000 volunteers who invest a total of about 2 million hours per year. The economic benefits associated with these sports are estimated at more than $3 billion annually.
