Motoneige Beauce-Sud receives $85,000 in Government of Canada funding for the acquisition of a new trail groomer

Saint-Côme-Linière, Quebec, November 22, 2009 – Acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Member of Parliament for Beauce, today announced the awarding of $85,000 in non-repayable funding to Motoneige Beauce-Sud through the Community Economic Diversification program toward the purchase of equipment, including a new grooming machine to serve in the upkeep of a 74-kilometre stretch of snowmobile trails. Requiring an overall investment of $193,000, this project will result in the preservation of three seasonal jobs.

Created from the merger of four snowmobiling clubs in 2008, Motoneige Beauce-Sud is responsible for the maintenance of some 190 kilometres of snowmobiling trails in the region, including a 75-kilometre portion of the Trans-Québec network. The acquisition of this new equipment is essential to the organization’s ability to continue providing snowmobilers with safe and accessible trails that meet strict industry standards.

“Quebec as a whole offers exceptional conditions for snowmobiling, and this activity is of prime importance in the Chaudière-Appalaches region. Canada Economic Development was eager to lend its financial support to Motoneige Beauce-Sud through its commitment to increasing the economic spinoffs generated by the winter tourism industry. This funding is also entirely in line with the Government of Canada’s objectives to bolster the drawing power of Quebec’s communities. By supporting the snowmobiling sector, we are promoting the growth of an industry whose expansion promises to bring about positive returns for our communities,” explained Maxime Bernier.

This Motoneige Beauce‑Sud project is expected to help the Chaudière-Appalaches region consolidate the gains it has made in the sector. In 2007-2008, organized snowmobiling generated some $37 million in economic spinoffs for the region’s hotel and restaurant operators and equipment rental shops, among others. Moreover, Motoneige Beauce-Sud is adding its efforts to those deployed by regional economic stakeholders to promote and strengthen the positive reputation of the province’s 33,500 kilometre snowmobile network on markets outside Quebec, particularly in the New England states.

Development of the tourism industry is a key priority for the Government of Canada. Indeed, in its Economic Action Plan tabled last January, the federal government has earmarked $40 million in funding over two years to help the Canadian Tourism Commission promote the industry on targeted national and international markets.

For more on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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Sources:

Guylaine Beaudoin
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-648-4679 or 1-800-463-5204
E-mail: guylaine.beadoin@dec-ced.gc.ca

Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Cell.: 613-996-6236
E-mail: simon.bachand@dec-ced.gc.ca