The day after an outcry from the hearts of Côte-de-Beaupré elected officials, Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon closed the door on short-term financial aid in the Mont-Sainte-Anne file.
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The minister made it clear that supporting ski centers is not currently one of the Quebec government’s priorities. “As we speak, I don’t think it’s high on the government’s agenda,” he said.
In his opinion, the current circumstances are not suitable for this. “In the economic context, today I am not sure whether it is a good idea for the government to invest in ski centers. All ski centers together,” said Mr Fitzgibbon, who is also Minister for Regional Economic Development.
Not the only one
Without closing the door, the minister reiterated that he could only financially help one mountain in the province.
“If we want to do something, I think everyone has to have access to it. It’s not up to us to choose a mountain. »
Has the question of Mont-Sainte-Anne’s survival been postponed indefinitely? “Perhaps,” replied the minister. “The question is: is it the right time to put money into ski centers? Today the answer is: We do nothing. »
As for the safety of skiers, Pierre Fitzgibbon answered very briefly.
secure
“The gondola will be very safe this year. I took it last year. I will do it this year,” concluded the minister.
After a gondola crashed on December 10, 2022, this ski lift was closed for most of the winter season. The Régie du Logement du Québec (RBQ) approved the restart on April 7, 2023 and the season ended a few days later, on April 23.
On December 16, 2022, the Régie du logement declared in a nine-page decision “that there is a serious risk to the safety and physical integrity of customers using Mont-Sainte-Anne devices.” »
Since 2015, the RBQ has issued more than 25 correction notices related to the resort’s ski lifts.
In this matter, the MRC of La Côte-de-Beaupré called on Monday for immediate solutions from the government to secure the future of Mont-Sainte-Anne.
The mayor and the mayors of the municipalities of the Côte-de-Beaupré are unanimously calling for the facilities to be modernized.
Prefect Pierre Lefrançois believes that the $550 million investment plan presented by RCR must be quickly examined by the Quebec government.
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