Residents in the Labrador West area, tourists, visitors and recreational enthusiasts alike will benefit from a federal government investment in White Wolf Snowmobile Club in support of Cain's Quest 2011, a world class snowmobile endurance race .
Senator Manning announced the investment earlier today in Labrador West on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.
"As we emerge from the global recession, our Government remains committed to strengthening the economy in all regions of the country," said Senator Manning. "This investment through ACOA will allow the White Wolf Snowmobile Club to enhance its marketing activities and cover some of the costs associated with hosting the 2011 Cain's Quest race, resulting in enhanced economic benefits for the Labrador West area and additional growth in the tourism industry of Newfoundland and Labrador."
Funding from ACOA will allow White Wolf Snowmobile Club to boost its advertising and promotional activities for this year's race and develop a marketing plan for future Cain's Quest events. The funding also supports some implementation costs associated with hosting the 2011 event including the purchase of equipment and signage.
"With support from ACOA, the White Wolf Snowmobile Club has been successful in establishing Cain's Quest – a world- class event which has been instrumental in promoting Newfoundland and Labrador as a whole and Labrador in particular, as a premier snowmobiling destination," said Calvin Saunders, President of Cain's Quest. "We're looking forward to another very exciting and well-attended event this coming March."
Labrador West has received national and international acclaim as a winter destination of choice due to its support of the annual Cain's Quest snowmobile endurance race. The numbers of participants and visitors to the area have grown steadily since the event's inception in 2006. More than 300 volunteers will be involved in the race.
There are 26 teams registered for the 2011 Cain's Quest. Participants in the race will depart Labrador City on March 12th and visit communities in northern Quebec for the first-time in the history of the race. Teams will travel 2,300 kilometres over varying terrain and undertake mandatory layovers in a number of communities during each leg of the race.
The Government of Canada's investment of $155,000 for the 2011 event is provided through ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) which focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in rural communities.
The federal government has invested more than $500,000 to date in support of the annual event.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Senator Fabian Manning was in Labrador West today to announce support for the White Wolf Snowmobile Club on behalf of ACOA Minister Keith Ashfield.
The federal support will help the White Wolf Snowmobile Club to promote and host its annual Cain's Quest snowmobile endurance race this March, as well as develop a marketing plan for future Cain's Quest events.
The Government of Canada's investment of $155,000 is provided through ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund (ICF). This brings the total federal investment to more than $500,000 to date.
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Doug Burgess
Director, Public Affairs
ACOA
709-772-2935
Calvin Saunders
President, White Wolf Snowmobile Club
709-944-5677
