Gaspé, Quebec, February 7, 2011 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today announced the awarding of $633,951 in total non-repayable funding to four Gaspésie snowmobiling clubs. Granted through the Community Diversification program, this financial assistance was used for the acquisition of snow grooming machines and other specialized equipment required for the upkeep of the region's snowmobiling trails.
"Shaped by the Chic-Choc and Appalachian mountain ranges and bordered by the sea, the Gaspésie region is a true paradise for snowmobilers. The Government of Canada is pleased to lend its financial support to the four acquisition projects being announced today, particularly in that they promise to further the development of winter tourism and improve the availability of tourism activities in the region," explained the Minister of State.
The four clubs benefiting from this financial assistance from the Government of Canada are: Club de motoneige Les Aigles Blancs de Paspébiac Inc. ($162,377); Club de motoneige Rapide Blanc Inc. ($180,900); Club Mont-Carleton Ltd ($136,598); Club sportif Marquis de Malauze Inc. ($154,076).
Gaspésie's snowmobiling network is internationally recognized for the quality, safety and accessibility of its trails. The majority of the area's 2,000 or so kilometres of trails link up with the Trans-Québec 5 (TQ-5) network, a snow trail that circles the peninsula and leads to both New Brunswick and Bas-Saint-Laurent.
Gaspésie's 13 snowmobiling clubs actively contribute to the efforts deployed by the province's economic stakeholders to promote and strengthen the positive reputation of the TQ-5 and its 33,500 kilometres of snowmobile trails on foreign markets, particularly in the New England states.
According to Tourisme Gaspésie, in 2004-2005 snowmobiling accounted for more than 30%, or $27 million, of the economic spinoffs generated by winter tourism in the region.
Tourism development is a priority for the Government of Canada. In its economic action plan adopted in 2009, the government earmarked $40 million over two years to support the Canadian Tourism Commission in its efforts to successfully promote the country's industry on national and international markets.
For more on Canada's Economic Action Plan, see www.actionplan.gc.ca.
A backgrounder is attached.
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Sources:
Karina Gagnon
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-368-6048 or 1-866-368-0044
E-mail: karina.gagnon@dec-ced.gc.ca
Benoît Fortin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3732
E-mail: benoit.fortin@dec-ced.gc.ca
