Governments of Canada and New Brunswick Invest Funds in Snowmobile Trails

February 20, 2010

GRAND FALLS – New Brunswick will soon offer improved snowmobile trails to the 12,000 snowmobilers that use the 7,000-kilometre provincial trail system annually as a result of support provided by the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick. The announcement was made today by Tobique- Mactaquac MP Mike Allen, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway; and the Honourable Hédard Albert, Minister of Wellness, Culture and Sport, Acting Minister of Tourism and Parks.

“The Government of Canada, through the Economic Action Plan, is taking steps to stimulate the economy, create jobs and support regions hardest hit by the recent global economic downturn,” said MP Allen. “Our investment of over $300,000 through the Community Adjustment Fund will allow the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs to provide important construction employment opportunities while improving recreational snowmobile infrastructure throughout the province.”

“As a four-season destination, the snowmobiling experience in an important activity in the products we have to offer tourists during the winter season,” said Albert, on behalf of Business New Brunswick Minister Victor Boudreau, who is minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation “Our investment of $185,000 for upgrades on the snowmobile trail system will ensure our entire province continues to enjoy the economic benefits generated by the snowmobiling industry.

These investments will allow the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (NBFSC) to repair or upgrade the 350 wooden bridges that link the snowmobile trails in the province and purchase and install signage throughout the network. Snowmobiling is an important component of winter tourism in New Brunswick and this project will help ensure safety and security for thousands of residents and visitors that use the trail system.

“As a volunteer organization, this funding for the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is critical for important signage and trail bridges that will contribute to the overall safety for all snowmobilers travelling on the extensive trail system, said Léon Bourque, president of the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs . “Ultimately, this investment by both the federal and provincial governments will mean improved infrastructure that will attract even more snowmobilers from across New England and Eastern Canada coming to experience New Brunswick’s White Gold.”

The Government of Canada is investing $302,500 toward the project under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF), a key federal economic stimulus initiative. The Province of New Brunswick is providing $185,000 while the NBFSC is contributing $30,000.

The EAP is providing a total of $1 billion over two years through CAF to support initiatives that help create and maintain jobs in communities and industries impacted by the economic downturn. Atlantic Canada’s allocation of $100 million under CAF is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
For information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, see www.actionplan.gc.ca.