Snowmobilers give award to Canadian prime minister

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper received the President’s Award from the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO) for delivering on his commitment to expand Canada’s network of national trails.

Harper was presented with the highest honor granted by the CCSO at the International Snowmobile Congress (ISC) in Prince Edward Island in front of Canadian, American and overseas delegates.

“I am honored to receive this award from an organization that appreciates and understands the importance of conserving Canada’s natural heritage so it can be enjoyed by future generations,” says Harper. “Investing in Canada’s national trails helps create jobs today. It also opens up new opportunities for tourism businesses and allows more Canadians to enjoy the Canadian countryside in a safe and responsible manner.”

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper (right) with ISMA President Ed Klim.

Harper announced on March 6, 2009 that, as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, his government was investing $25 million to expand Canada’s national trail system. The National Trails Coalition, of which the CCSO is a key member, has pledged to match this investment to a total of $50 million. As a result, snowmobile associations and clubs across Canada are partnering under the Go Snowmobiling banner with provincial and local governments, economic development agencies, chambers of commerce and tourism offices to boost their winter economy with major upgrades to snowmobile trails this year.

“On behalf of our volunteers, clubs, riders, snowbelt communities and the snowmobile industry, we are pleased to recognize the prime minister’s exceptional leadership and support for our snowmobile tourism trails,” says Kevin Sweetland, ISC co-chair and CCSO president. “Snowmobiling and winter are part of our heritage and this investment from the government of Canada lays out a new white welcome mat to encourage even more people to go snowmobiling.”