The Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec (FCMQ) is happy to announce that, following a series of productive meetings with Mr. Sylvain Gaudreault, minister of Transports, Affaires municipales, Régions and Occupation du territoire, that the Ministère des Transports has offered the FCMQ a budget totalling $3 million over 3 years to help finance infrastructure projects, as well as the FCMQ’s regional support program. The annual funding will see $400,000 attributed to regional support staff with the remaining $600,000 earmarked for infrastructure.
Mr. Gaudreault demonstrated a great willingness to contribute to the sustainability of the snowmobile industry and he understands the urgency of the sustainable trails project which is currently underway.
The FCMQ greatly appreciates Mr. Gaudreault having opened the door so quickly to an agreement between the two provincial authorities. Mr. Gaudreault wishes to reassure the FCMQ that a committee would be formed with an eye to evaluating other potential funding sources at both the provincial and federal levels, so as to permit meeting the funding objectives of the public-private partnership in their entirety. Recall that the original demands put forth by the FCMQ called for $4.5 million. ($500,000 per year for regional development and $1 million for infrastructure)
In finishing, Marc-André Boivin, General Manager of the FCMQ, expressed his enthusiasm regarding this offer from the ministère des Transports : “The snowmobile industry in Quebec generates $2 billion in annual economic activity! It was absolutely essential to develop a financial partnership to maintain and improve our infrastructure. This initiative will allow regional resources to be put in place to provide support to clubs in their tasks. What is wonderful is that behind this important winter tourism economic engine, there are snowmobilers, who are not only passionate, but who also proved themselves to be united and committed to the future of the industry.”
About the FCMQ: The Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec works at developing and promoting the activity of snowmobiling. This recreational, family activity generates over $2 billion in annual economic activity in the province. The FCMQ is the umbrella group for 205 member clubs which represent over 80,000 individual members. Thanks to the dedication and contributions of thousands of volunteers, FCMQ affiliated clubs manage the sale of trail permits for the 32,000+ km network and see to the development, management, maintenance, signage and safety of the trail system. For additional information on the FCMQ and its activities, please visit www.fcmq.qc.ca
