News release

New Trails for Off-highway Vehicle Users

Health Promotion and Protection (March 2006 - Jan. 2011)
Natural Resources (to July 2018)

Off-highway vehicle users will soon have access to new trails and riding areas thanks to $700,000 worth of grants available through the off-highway vehicle infrastructure fund.

The fund was created as part of the province's action plan to help make trails more accessible and enjoyable for responsible users. Each year when off-highway vehicle owners register vehicles, they contribute $40 toward the fund. Only those owners who contribute to the fund are permitted to use the trails.

"Part of being a responsible off-highway vehicle user is to demonstrate a commitment to building safe and accessible places to ride," said Laurie Cranton, chair of the Off-highway Vehicle Ministerial Advisory Committee. "By investing in the infrastructure fund, owners are investing in the future acceptance and sustainability of the sport."

The Off-highway Vehicle Ministerial Advisory Committee developed a process to assess funding applications and administer the off-highway vehicle fund infrastructure fund.

Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection, and David Morse, Minister of Natural Resources have accepted the advisory committee's recommendation on the process.

The process allows funding applications to be received and analyzed by the advisory committee. Formal recommendations and funding amounts will then be submitted to both ministers for final approval.

The Off-Highway Vehicle Ministerial Advisory Committee is represented by a cross-section of groups, including off-highway vehicle riders, landowners, the environment and the medical community.