Several constituents reached out to me with regards to the recent consultations that the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has been holding regarding usage of the Confederation Trail; all were concerned that ATV’s would be allowed on the trail.
So, I asked questions of the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure on the topic on November 9th. As well, as motion was passed on this issue, on November 29th.
Based on the response, I am very confident that ATV’s will not be allowed on the Confederation Trail, except to cross over at some point.
Questions – Confederation Trail and ATVs
Here is a video and transcript of my questions from November 9, 2023.
As luck would have it, the member from New Haven – Rocky Point (Peter Bevan-Baker), also asked questions on the same topic that day, immediately prior to me. The Minister’s response to his questions are good to hear as well.
Hansard-9 November 2023-Confederation Trail (PDF) – My questions start on page 15 of 55 (page 1798 of Hansard).
Speaker: The hon. Member from Rustico-Emerald.
B. Trivers: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Carrying on with this line of questioning, the Minister of Transportation has commissioned four Confederation Trail workshops and an online survey, as we’ve heard, to “help shape policy decisions concerning the use of Confederation Trail.”
At the meetings, ATV riders are asking for full access to the trail as opposed to the ability to just cross it, especially in areas that are perceived as low usage, where it is difficult to build dedicated ATV trails.
In fact, many of my constituents are concerned that the workshops were set up at the request of the ATV lobby with this end in mind.
It would be very helpful to know what the current usage is in terms of number of pedestrians, runners, cyclists, horses, etcetera, for different segments of the trail.
Confederation Trail and ATVs
Question to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure:
Can you table statistics regarding the current use of Confederation Trail?
Speaker: The hon. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Hon. E. Hudson: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.
The first thing that I would like to address is the comment that the hon. member made that these workshops were as a result of a request from the ATV Federation. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Shortly after coming into the position as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, I reached out to the Snowmobile Association, to the PEI Trail Riders, and yes, to the ATV Federation. Also, I’ve had numerous conversations with Islanders right across the province with regard to the usage and the importance of the Confederation Trail. That is what precipitated me initiating this public consultation.
Again, as I said previously, I don’t think it’s ever a bad thing to solicit and receive input/feedback from everyday Islanders on any issue.
Thank you.
Speaker: The hon. Member from Rustico-Emerald, your first supplementary.
B. Trivers: Thank you, Madam Speaker. That’s good to know. Just to be clear, what I’m hearing from my constituents, many of them, is that they believe that ATVs should not share the Confederation Trail with pedestrians and cyclists. They believe it’s too dangerous. However, most are not against ATVs on PEI.
With a dedicated ATV trail from tip to tip and a safe ability for ATVs to access restaurants, accommodations, and fueling stations, there is a huge opportunity to grow ATV use on PEI, especially when it comes to year-round tourism by ATV riders.
Another question to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure:
What funding initiatives and supporting legislation/regulations are you considering to support a dedicated ATV trail from tip to tip with safe access to restaurants, accommodations, and fueling stations?
Chair: The hon. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Hon. E. Hudson: Thank you very much,Madam Speaker.
I do appreciate the hon. member referencing safety. That always has to be paramount in any decisions that are made, whether it’s with regard to trails, our highway system, or any of the various aspects that fall under my ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
With regard to the ATV Federation, I give them full kudos for the initiatives that they have taken in working with my department on certain pilot trails right across the province, but in certain areas, certainly in the western part, but in different areas of the province, I do agree with the hon. member that there are tremendous opportunities here to work with the ATV Federation and to grow the tourism aspect of ATV. Thank you.
Speaker: The hon. Member from Rustico-Emerald, your second supplementary.
B. Trivers: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I hope the minister does work with the ATV Federation. I hope we do make some improvements and we seize this opportunity to make the Island accessible to ATV riders and keep the Confederation Trail for cyclists and pedestrians.
Across the board, many people believe that the Confederation Trail is an under-used resource. That’s why I asked for the stats at the beginning, and I hope you can get some of them. With more marketing improvements such as the addition of water stations and safe paths from the trail to restaurants and accommodations, the usage could be increased, especially by tourists.
Question to the Minister of Tourism, Sportand Culture:
What are your plans to support and promote cycling and pedestrian use of the Confederation Trail?
Speaker: The hon. Minister of Fisheries,Tourism, Sport and Culture.
Hon. C. Deagle: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Once I had seen these consultations taking place across the Island, I’d asked what the usage is of the trail. What the department actually told me is that about 16 percent of non-resident visitors use the Confederation Trail while they’re here for cycling, walking, hiking, or what not.
I think the narrative that’s gotten out there –and this decision falls within the ministry of Transportation – is that you’re going to jump on an ATV in Tignish and be able to take the trail right to Souris, which I don’t believe is going to happen, and I don’t think it should happen.
Our department through the Rural Growth Initiative assists the ATV Federation in building their own trails, which we’re more than happy to do and we continue to do that.
From what I understand, just from my time when I was in that department and in Tourism now, we obviously want to protect that trail for pedestrians and cyclists
.Perhaps there are areas across the Island –and I’m talking maybe a few spots – where ATVs might be looking to use a short section in a low volume traffic area to connect their trails at their existing trails. They want to be able to connect those trails. That’s what I gather that they’re trying to find.
I think the narrative has kind of gotten away, and the media out there and people are rightfully getting concerned and sharing their feedback. I think we don’t have to all panic and think that there’s going to be ATVs on the Confederation Trail everywhere. Our department is more than willing and happy to work with the federation to develop their own trails. It’s also huge for winter tourism as well, and tourism in general out in the fall in other areas because they bring in people from outside the province and they spend money here. So, the ATVs generate tourism as well.
Motion 77 – Keeping ATVs off the Confederation Trail
You can view the original Motion 77 (PDF) here, which was debated on November 29, 2023.
The original motion had the following operative clauses.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Legislature express its support to maintain the Confederation Trail in its current form, as it was originally intended;
AND THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Legislature urge government not to grant access to any part of the Confederation Trail for All Terrain Vehicles, other than at
already designated crossing points.
The Motion was amended as follows, and it is the amended version that passed.
Matthew MacKay moved, seconded by Robin Croucher, the following amendment:
That the following WHEREAS clause be added after the 6th WHEREAS clause:
“AND WHEREAS there is an ongoing consultation process currently happening with the public and stakeholders which concludes Friday, December 1, 2023;”And that the final operative clause be amended by adding the word “full” after the word “grant”, and the deletion of the words “any part of” and “already”, so that the clause reads:
“AND THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Legislature urge government not to grant full access to the Confederation Trail for All Terrain Vehicles, other than at designated crossing points.”
I voted in favour of the amended Motion 77. The only person who voted against the amended Motion 77 was the MLA for Tignish – Palmer Road and Leader of the Official Opposition, Hal Perry. Here is a video of the “recorded division”:
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