It’s Time to Reinvest in the Trail Groups Driving Canada’s Outdoor Economy
Summerside: April 4, 2025. With the federal election now on, it’s time to recognize the only self-sustaining and economically impactful trail group in Canada: powersport trail users, and develop a strategy to ensure the future of powersport trails.
Riders of ATVs, side-by-side, motorcycles and snowmobiles generate over $15 billion annually for local economies, fueling small businesses, rural tourism, and community development across the country.
“Our industry employs over 100,000 Canadians nationwide, supporting jobs in tourism, retail, services, and manufacturing,” said Peter Mellish, President of the Canadian Quad Council. “No other trail group contributes more in terms of time, money, and trail kilometres, and the time has come for the federal government and other governments to step up and partner with these key drivers of our rural economy.”
Across Canada, in every province and territory, over one million riders and volunteers look after the land in a responsible and sustainable way, protecting sensitive habitats and species at risk while training future generations to appreciate our landscape and environment
Yet national trail funding continues to favour a small group of users, overlooking the real economic engine behind Canada’s trail systems.
The CQC and Moto Canada are calling for:
- A national powersport trails strategy that reflects all user groups, not just a select few—and includes dedicated federal funding to support its implementation.
- A fair reinvestment of the tax dollars generated by the industry into a sustainable, well-maintained trail system built by and for trail users.
- Recognition of motorized trail organizations as proven leaders in economic development, jobs, domestic tourism, and community health.
- A seat at the Table when policy and funding decisions are made in Ottawa.
“These vehicles were invented in Canada by Canadians for Canada’s landscape and their use continues to grow,” said Landon French, President & CEO of Moto Canada. “Riding powersport vehicles supports mental wellness, the environment, safe use, active living, and year-round access to the outdoors. Our trail network is maintained by passionate volunteers, clubs, and communities — not government programs. We don’t need handouts. We need fair reinvestment of the tax dollars this industry generates.”
Trail organizations, volunteers, riders, businesses, and supporters are encouraged to join the movement and tell local candidates that motorized trail users matter, and that the next federal government needs to fund a national powersport trails strategy.
For more information contact:
Wayne Daub
Canadian Quad Council
generalmanager@quadcouncil.ca
Landon French
Moto Canada
lfrench@motocanada.com
Or visit: www.motocanada.ca www.quadcounil.ca
