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ATVANS has reached out to the major provincial political parties in the run-up to the election to get their responses to a series of questions pertaining to OHV-related issues in Nova Scotia.
The Progressive Conservatives, Liberals, and NDP were each sent the same six questions on November 5th, and given until November 19th to send us their responses.
Unfortunately, only the Progressive Conservatives responded to our questionnaire. The questions and unedited responses from the PC's are attached below:
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1. Would your party introduce legislative and regulatory changes to modernize the OHV act to better reflect current conditions and practices, including practical changes allowing families to better participate in our sport, with greater legal riding opportunities for younger riders within the first two years of your mandate?
Yes, our party remains committed to modernizing the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Act to better reflect current conditions and practices. We believe in adapting regulations to ensure safety while also enhancing opportunities for the sport. Our willingness to make changes is evident in the regulatory amendments we’ve already made, including:
● Amended the Off-Highway Vehicles Designated Trails and Trail Permits Regulations (N.S. Reg. 224/2006 to N.S. Reg. 173/2023)
● Updated the Off-Highway Vehicles Fees Regulations (N.S. Reg. 103/2004 to N.S. Reg. 262/2022)
● Revised the Off-Highway Vehicles General Regulations (N.S. Reg. 13/1988 to N.S. Reg. 174/2023)
● Introduced the Snow Vehicles Pilot Project Trails Designation (N.S. Reg. 222/2023)
No other government has made amendments or new regulation to the OHV Act since 2008, which reflects our willingness to listen to ATV operators and respond to their evolving needs.
We are committed to collaborate with ATVANS to identify opportunities to expand legal riding areas for younger riders and introduce further practical changes that make it easier for families to participate in this recreational activity.
2. Annually, our clubs and members invest over $1,000,000 in fundraised contributions and in- kind value to the overall trail network. This is in addition to the funds from the rider contributions through the OHVIF. Would your party support a request for an annual capital trail program of $5,000,000 to contribute to large significant projects, including new trails, and bridge construction?
We recognize the significant contributions that clubs and members make to the off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail network, both financially and through in-kind support. The investments made by the community are crucial for maintaining and enhancing this extensive network.
Through the Department of Communities, Culture, Heritage, and Tourism (CCTH), we offer a variety of grants and funding programs designed to support organizations like yours. These programs include:
Recreation Facility Development Grant: Assists community groups, municipalities, and other non-profit organizations in developing facilities that increase public participation in sports and recreation.
● Recreation Trail Expansion Program: Provides support for developing new trails and making capital upgrades to existing trails.
● Trail Engineering Assistance Grant Program: Offers funding for professional engineering expertise, such as planning and designing bridges and other significant structures.
● Trail Maintenance Program: Funds ongoing trail maintenance and emergency repairs for major maintenance issues caused by fire or weather events.
● Community Recreation Capital Grants: Assists with the development of small-scale capital recreation projects
We encourage you to access these funding opportunities for trail development and related projects. Additionally, should a project not align perfectly with the criteria of a specific program, we are committed to working with organizations to explore alternative funding sources and solutions through CCTH when funds are available.
While these existing programs already support trail development across the province, we welcome your feedback on how we can enhance them to better meet your needs.
3. The newly implemented Nova Scotia Road Trails Act has enabled ATV use on certain public roads for the purpose of trail connectivity and access to local services. This initiative has been a huge success with no known issues; however, the approval process has been lengthy and the strict eligibility criteria has decreased the potential effectiveness of the legislation. Would your party support a request to expedite the approval process for Road Trail sites and remove or alter some of the guidelines to be less restrictive?
Our government was proud to introduce and pass the Nova Scotia Road Trails Act in 2023, enabling ATV use on designated public roads for trail connectivity and access to local services. We are pleased to hear that ATVANS and its members recognize the success of this initiative, as we value its role in promoting recreational activities and community connectivity.
While we remain committed to balancing safety and accessibility, we acknowledge the concerns about the lengthy approval process and strict eligibility criteria. A re-elected PC government would work collaboratively with stakeholders to review the approval process and explore modifications to the guidelines, ensuring essential safety standards are maintained.
Our goal is to enhance recreational opportunities in Nova Scotia by making processes more efficient and responsive to the needs of the community.
4. ATVANS is the largest motorized sport organization in Nova Scotia, with 44-clubs and nearly 7,000 members year-to-date. Our sector contributes over 80% of the money managed by the OHVIF yet we only have a single voice at the table where decisions are made that impact our clubs and organization. Would your party support a greater role for ATVANS at the decision table based partly on contribution to the fund by sector?
We greatly appreciate and value the significant contributions ATVANS makes to the OHV Infrastructure Fund, as well as the vital work of more than 140 volunteer community groups and municipalities that help build and maintain trails across Nova Scotia. This collective effort ensures the management and upkeep of over 10,000 kilometres of trails, providing a network that is essential for recreation, connectivity, and tourism.
While we recognize the importance of ATVANS’ perspective and would be happy to hear suggestions on their priorities, it is equally important to include voices from other community organizations. These groups often possess localized knowledge that helps us better meet strategic goals and respond to regional needs effectively. Maintaining a balanced approach allows us to plan, manage, and operate the trail network in a way that benefits all Nova Scotians.
Our commitment is to continue collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure trails are accessible, well-maintained, and aligned with the broader recreational and community development goals of the province.
5. ATVANS is the fourth largest ATV organization in Canada, only behind Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick. Two of these provinces have mandatory trail permits or membership on managed trails. This has enabled them to not only grow their sport but to also manage activities better. Would your party consider changes to the OHV act that would provide for mandatory trail permits on managed trails similar to the New Brunswick and Quebec model or models already used by another OHV sector in Nova Scotia, within the first two years of your mandate?
While we understand the benefits of mandatory trail permits, such as increased funding for projects and improved trail management and maintenance, our government’s focus during this affordability crunch is on reducing costs and cutting red tape. We recognize that this approach could potentially help grow the sport, but we do not believe that now is the right time to add costs for Nova Scotians. However, once the economy reaches a stronger position where Nova Scotians can better afford such measures, we will revisit this proposal and give it thorough consideration.
6. Over the past four years we have seen tremendous growth in our sport, this occurred at a time when enforcement was preoccupied with pandemic duties and other activities. What does your party plan to do to help address some of the enforcement issues resulting from increased activity and decreased enforcement?
A PC government is always willing to listen to the needs of the community, and we value the input from organizations like ATVANS. At the same time, we have a responsibility to ensure that the safety of all Nova Scotians is maintained. We welcome the opportunity to engage in discussions about enforcement concerns and explore the best ways to balance safety standards with ensuring that trails can be enjoyed by those who use them most.
As we move forward, we are committed to working with stakeholders to find solutions that support both the growth of the sport and the protection of the trail areas.
Kind regards,
NSPC Campaign
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