Trails Act grants expected to help OHV areas; critics say other users left waiting
The province has granted $8 million over four years for volunteer groups to maintain and improve a network of trails for off-highway vehicles and snowmobiles, but some public lands users are crying favouritism.
The money announced Friday granted a total of $4 million each to the Alberta OHV Association and the Alberta Snowmobile Association to upgrade and maintain a vast network of trails throughout the province.
That work was previously done using membership fees and volunteer time.
"This new framework of funding helps increase both the capacity and support for our volunteer clubs," Alberta OHVA president Garett Schmidt said Friday.
"(We're) working not only to increase the quality of the trails but mitigate the impacts of recreation."
While few critics appear to be questioning the benefit of the grant money, some are saying the province is giving the most to users who are paying the least.
"(Then-minister) Nixon said that McLean Creek was going to be exempt because of a trails fee coming in the future," said Shaun Peter, owner of Bragg Creek K-Country Outdoor Recreation.
"And then when the Trails Act was rolled out, the trails fee was gone."
OHV users argue they have been paying $58.25 in registration fees every year for more than a decade.
That money goes into general revenue for the provincial government.
But the controversial $90 Kananaskis Conservation Pass exempts the popular and often problematic McLean Creek OHV area.
"If you're operating a traditional OHV, you're only paying $58 a year, almost half of what the Kananaskis pass is and that's supposed to be going 100 per cent towards conservation," Peter said.
Some trail groups say they would like to see more provincial funding put back into places where money is collected from, but suggest the shortfall is in part because the majority of trails groups are focused on local trail systems and don't have the province-wide reach of Alberta OHVA or the ASA.
The first instalment of the $8 million was paid out last year, and will be continued over the next three years.
Schmidt says he is not opposed to a future trails fee similar to the system used in Ontario, but says registration fees have put substantial money into the province's coffers already.
Schmidt says that while the money will be used all over Alberta, McLean Creek is one of the most heavily used areas and upgrades to trails and bridges there will be one of their top priorities.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
David Johnston resigns as foreign interference special rapporteur, citing 'highly partisan atmosphere'
Foreign interference special rapporteur David Johnston has resigned, CTV News has confirmed. In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Johnston cited the intense politicization of his appointment and work, as the reason for his coming departure.

Here's how some of Canada's wildfires compare in size to cities, lakes
Fires across the country are burning millions of hectares of land but what does that really look like? CTVNews.ca compared the blazes to some cities and lakes in the country showing just how big they have gotten.
Donald Trump stored, showed off and refused to return classified documents, indictment says
Former U.S. president Donald Trump is facing 37 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents, according to an indictment unsealed Friday that alleges that he described a Pentagon 'plan of attack' and shared a classified map related to a military operation.
Boris Johnson quits as U.K. lawmaker after being told he will be sanctioned for misleading Parliament
Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson shocked Britain on Friday by quitting as a lawmaker after being told he will be sanctioned for misleading Parliament.
Reactive to proactive: A push for a national campaign on wildfire education in Canada
Despite the alarming facts and figures, experts say Canada is far more reactive than it is proactive when it comes to wildfires and they’re calling for a national campaign on wildfire education to better prepare for the future.
Unhealthy habits of university students could lead to future health problems
A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Preventative Medicine Reports by a group of international researchers has found that post-secondary students with unhealthy eating habits can go on to suffer from disease and mental health issues for years to come.
Three people charged in alleged abduction of N.L. teen after Amber Alert issued
Police in Newfoundland and Labrador say three people are facing charges following the alleged abduction of a 14-year-old girl.
Eyes on the weather as residents pack and flee from fierce wildfire in northeast B.C.
Showers are predicted Saturday over the aggressive wildfire threatening Tumbler Ridge, but forecasters say thunderstorms could sweep through the parched region without bringing any rain.
Air Canada walks back compensation denials after thousands delayed due to tech issues
Air Canada says it made a mistake in rejecting some compensation claims from the thousands of travellers affected by delayed flights due to computer malfunctions.