A bit of history
An inglorious saga in our history took place from 1997 to 2004 in the Laurentian region. 600 families demanded that snowmobiles be banned from this 200-kilometer trail. They complained about the noise and claimed that the roar of the machines harmed their sleep and health. The P’tit Train du Nord was at the center of a battle that ended in favor of the coalition that cited the harmful effects of snowmobiles in this area.
The Superior Court of Quebec had finally ordered the MRC des Laurentides to prohibit a section of the trail to snowmobilers. The area in question was 38 kilometers long and was located between Saint-Faustin-Lac Carré and Labelle.
With a form of detachment, the Liberal Minister of Tourism at that moment, Nathalie Normandeau, wanted to reassure by mentioning that it was not necessary to panic and rather to think of finding a balance between the interests of the snowmobilers and those of the residents. In addition, she added with limited sympathy that the ban only applied to 38 of the 33,000 kilometers of trails open to snowmobilers.
A Superior Court ruling prohibited snowmobilers from riding on a portion of the trail of the P’tit Train du Nord causing a lot of reaction in the Laurentians. Snowmobile enthusiasts and merchants who take advantage of this winter activity were rightly concerned about the negative repercussions that this decision could have.
An amount of 12 million dollars was distributed in compensation to citizens living within 100 meters of the trail, at a rate of 1200$/inhabitant for each of the seven winter seasons covered by the Superior Court’s decision.
To be honest, this judgment was a blow to the connection between Lanaudière, Laurentides and Outaouais. Snowmobilers were faced with dead ends or endless detours to make the trip between these regions.
One man stood up!
In 2006, Mr. Roland Leroy launched a crusade to find a lasting solution for the good of snowmobilers and the regions concerned. His goal was to use the rights-of-way of the Quebec Ministry of Transport to relocate the 38 kilometers lost by the Langlois decree.
Thanks to his efforts, the finalization of his project was almost completed in 2012 when he reached an agreement with the Deputy Liberal Minister of Transport. A budget of $7 million had also been previously granted for its realization, but the government had subsequently decided to put the project on ice while waiting for the results to come. As expected, this year was marked by a provincial election and the government in place had to give up its seats to the Parti Québécois.
Unfortunately, the new government and its new Minister of Transport were not in favor of the project and as a result, the agreement with the previous government was no longer in effect.
Undaunted by this setback, Mr. Leroy continued to press the issue. In 2017, the federal government gave him a chance. Mr. Leroy was required to submit a financial and pre-feasibility study to demonstrate the costs to complete the project. He submitted a request for $3 million and the federal government finally agreed to his request.
This announcement put an end to the 20-year saga, including the years of coalition proceedings against the snowmobilers.
A court decision
It should be remembered that the P’tit Train du Nord was an old railroad line and consequently, the passage of the train was possible at all hours of the day. This argument, underlined in the debates by the Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec, was never considered by the judge. Unfortunately for the snowmobilers, they had to respect restrictive traffic hours.
Numerous accommodations had been put in place by those in charge of the case, including the installation of barriers to prevent traffic outside the permitted hours.
This 2017 victory for Mr. Leroy was gratifying, but it was still far from a win. Work began in 2018 for a planned opening in 2019. However, he had to deal with some discontent, as citizens living near the new route viewed the imminent passage of snowmobiles near their homes with disfavor. Nevertheless, the project included a trail on a section belonging to the Ministère des Transports du Québec.
Finally, on November 30, 2020, the final authorization from the MTQ was granted for the passage and inter-connection of the Laurentians, Lanaudière and the Outaouais.
Snowmobiling, is an important economic engine.
This outcome has certainly pleased the snowmobiling community who could once again have access to a trail that connects Saint-Faustin-Lac Carré to Labelle. The local merchants also received this news with enthusiasm, as it is an economic contribution that is not negligible for this region.
In Quebec, snowmobiling generates an estimated annual economic impact of more than 3 billion dollars. Moreover, since the activity takes place over a period of 12 to 16 weeks, it is normal that the stakeholders of the Laurentian region want their share of the cake.
Against all odds, Mr. Leroy stood up straight as an oak tree to achieve his goal. Even though he may not have been unanimous in this matter, we must admit that his patience was sorely tested. But his relentlessness did overcome the bureaucracy.
“It is important to remind people that the P’tit Train du Nord can now connect the regions. It is the taxpayers’ money, and at the same time the snowmobilers’ money, that has been invested in this project,” he says with pride.
In conclusion, the man who led this project over a long period during his presidency of the Diable et Rouge Snowmobile Club can now say that his mission is accomplished. There were many pitfalls during his struggle, but he kept his head high, towards the goal he had set.
For more information on the P’tit train du Nord, here is the website.
