Trails Tourism Integration Strategy Meetings Planned
During each session we will discuss:
For more information contact Patrick Connor at 613-484-1140
Locations to be announced.
Cycling Consultations Nearly Completed
Dear Stakeholders,
Thank you very much again for your interest and participation in the study to help identify Ontario’s Province-wide Cycling Network. We hope that the regional workshop session you attended was informative; providing you with:
The study team has consolidated the materials presented at the workshop sessions and uploaded them to DropBox. They can be accessed using the following link:
MTO Cycling Network Study Dropbox
*Please click on the proceed without signing up option at the bottom of the page if you do not already have an account
We have uploaded network concept mapping (route options and alternatives that could form part of the province-wide cycling network (priority routes) or link up to the province-wide cycling network (secondary routes)) for each of the MTO Regions. We are in the process of uploading maps illustrating the network concept in zoom in areas of the Upper Tier Municipalities. The zoom in maps will be uploaded to the site by first thing tomorrow morning. Please select the mapping that is most appropriate for your jurisdiction. We would also encourage you to review the workshop presentation. The presentation will give you the necessary context to better understand the information that we are asking you to review and comment on.
We will be accepting comments / questions / submissions to the regional workshop materials up until December 8th, 2016. More specifically, we are looking for the following comments to these maps:
We look forward to receiving your input and continuing the discussion and identification of the province-wide cycling network for Ontario.
Best,
#CycleON - MTO Province-wide Cycling Network Identification Study
On behalf of the Study Team
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T: 905-882-7306
E: mtocyclingnetwork@mmm.ca
Let’s Talk Trails – December 8, Glen House Resort
| Location | Date |
|---|---|
| Niagara Region RTO2 | December 14th |
| Gananoque RTO9 | December 8th |
| Newmarket RTO6 | November 29th |
| Collingwood RTO7 | TBA |
- Current RTO+DMO Tourism Strategies
- Current Outdoor Activity Marketing
- Existing Trail Inventory
- Identify Gaps
- Consolidate Events
- Review Ontariotrails.ca Trails Marketing
- New Content Initiatives
- Share Data and Data Gathering Processes
- Review TTIP Action Plan Outlines
- Define Next Steps
Locations to be announced.
Cycling Consultations Nearly Completed
Dear Stakeholders,Thank you very much again for your interest and participation in the study to help identify Ontario’s Province-wide Cycling Network. We hope that the regional workshop session you attended was informative; providing you with:
- Background information on the study;
- Context on the intended outcomes;
- An overview of the process being used to identify the network; and
- An opportunity to be engaged in the study process.
The study team has consolidated the materials presented at the workshop sessions and uploaded them to DropBox. They can be accessed using the following link:
MTO Cycling Network Study Dropbox
*Please click on the proceed without signing up option at the bottom of the page if you do not already have an account
We have uploaded network concept mapping (route options and alternatives that could form part of the province-wide cycling network (priority routes) or link up to the province-wide cycling network (secondary routes)) for each of the MTO Regions. We are in the process of uploading maps illustrating the network concept in zoom in areas of the Upper Tier Municipalities. The zoom in maps will be uploaded to the site by first thing tomorrow morning. Please select the mapping that is most appropriate for your jurisdiction. We would also encourage you to review the workshop presentation. The presentation will give you the necessary context to better understand the information that we are asking you to review and comment on.
We will be accepting comments / questions / submissions to the regional workshop materials up until December 8th, 2016. More specifically, we are looking for the following comments to these maps:
- Route Alignment: focusing on the priority and secondary routes, provide comments on the location of the potential routes, whether what is being identified makes sense or if there are other alternatives that should be considered.
- Potential Level of Separation for Facility types: identification of a potential level of separation for a cycling facility type based on the hierarchy of options identified in Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18:
- Shared Facilities: On roads with low operating speed and low traffic volumes where the cyclists and motorist share the same space e.g. signed bicycle routes
- Designated Facilities: on roads with sufficient space and a higher operating speed and traffic volume where cyclists require a specific space to ride e.g. bike lanes
- Separated Facilities: on roads with a high operating speed and traffic volume where a physical separation is needed between the cyclists and motorist e.g. off-road trail or buffered bicycle lane or paved shoulder
- Destinations: cycling destination such as bicycle friendly businesses or tourism attractors
- Barriers: physical barriers which prevent or deter implementation of cycling facilities or the activity of cycling
We look forward to receiving your input and continuing the discussion and identification of the province-wide cycling network for Ontario.
Best,
#CycleON - MTO Province-wide Cycling Network Identification Study
On behalf of the Study Team
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T: 905-882-7306
E: mtocyclingnetwork@mmm.ca
Please consider supporting our work
We wish to thank all those organizations who have renewed their membership. Please renew today, our work is more important than ever! Help us help groups keep their trails open. Please consider making a donation or taking out a membership today! We rely on the generous support of the Canadian trail community to allow us to do our work.
Our Mission - to promote the preservation, management, use and development of trails.
Our Mission - to promote the preservation, management, use and development of trails.
Everyday, somewhere in Ontario we educate, support a group, lead or assist a community improving its quality of life through trails.Ask us how we make a difference! Thanks
For Immediate Release
November 9, 2016
CANADIANS SPENT $6.9 BILLION ON DIRECT ACTIVITIES
INVOLVING ATVs and ROVs IN 2015
Toronto –An independent economic impact study completed by Smith Gunther Associates Ltd., reported that in 2015, Canadians spent $6.9 billion on activities directly involving All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Recreational Off- Highway Vehicles (ROVs) also known as side-by-sides.
“The purpose of the study was to comprehensively determine the economic impact of not only the purchase of ATVs and ROVs but also related economic activities for Canada and each of its provinces and territories,” stated Bob Ramsay, President of the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV). “The study encompassed ATV and ROV activities that included riding gear, clothing, insurance and travel related to ATV and ROV use. Together these purchases and activities constitute the direct and indirect expenditures involving ATV and ROV participation.” added Ramsay.
Excluding imports, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a better measure of economic activity. National estimates of total direct and indirect GDP is calculated at $4.5 to $5.7 billion, which includes labour force income of $2.7 to $3.4 billion with related employment measured as 47,929 to 61,213 full time equivalents (FTEs) total including those employed directly, indirectly and in induced activities. This activity generates revenues of $1.5 to $1.9 billion to all levels of government combined in the form of various direct and indirect taxes on goods and services. The higher results reflect an attrition rate suggested by nearly 3,000 respondent owners to a questionnaire and the lower estimates a higher attrition rate consistent with those on personal water craft and snowmobiles.
In 2015, annual investments in the economy, such as new purchases of equipment and machinery, including ATVs, ROVs and related enhancements to vehicles reached $1.2 billion before depreciation. Further, annual operating expenditures amounted to an additional $6.7 billion bringing 2015 direct investment and operating expenditures to $7.9 billion.
Through data retrieved from Statistics Canada and the COHV’s current and historical data on sales of ATVs and OHVs in each province and territory, it has been identified that economic multiplier effects are strongest in provinces which are net beneficiaries of interprovincial trade and where industrial linkages within the province are the strongest.
Ontario has the strongest overall multipliers at 2.51 followed by British Columbia at 2.36. Alberta benefits from strong value shipped and GDP multipliers and Quebec has above national employment and labour force income multipliers as well as strong market shares due mostly to its high participation rates in off-road riding and excellent trails.
“Managing the responsible use of ATVs and ROVs is a subject of current interest for many governments. It is also of great interest to the COHV and the not-for-profit rider federations that have developed across the country,” stated Bob Ramsay. “This report confirms the scope and scale of the contribution that ATV and ROV use makes to provincial economies. Especially in rural and northern areas, which the industry points out, is an important aspect that needs to be recognized and considered when discussion is focused on the responsible management of off-highway vehicle (OHV) activity across Canada.
The Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV), originally founded in 1984, is a national, non-profit, trade association that represents the responsible interests of the major ATV and ROV distributors, as well as the manufacturers, distributors and retail outlets of OHV related products and services.
The member companies of the COHV account for over 90 percent of all the new ATVs and ROVs sold in Canada. More information related to the COHV is available at: www.cohv.ca
Contact:
Jo-Anne Farquhar
Director of Communications & Public Affairs
Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV)
Office - 416-491-4449 ext 105
Toll Free - 1-877-470-6642
Cell: 416-996-9207
jfarquhar@cohv.ca
Peter Gunther, President
Smith Gunther Associates Ltd.
(613) 823-0513 – W
(613) 302-2814 – C
pgunther@bellnet.ca
ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY - FACT SHEET
In 2015, there were an estimated 705,264 ATVs and 432,219 ROVs in operation. This estimate is based on an 8.6% attrition rate of the current stock of ATVs from 1994 onward when annual sales data were available or could be estimated. Similar adjustments were calculated on ROV purchased after 2006 when they started being used for recreational purposes. From those provinces where licensing data were available this rate is supported by that data.
This comprehensive study updates an earlier 2006 study, also conducted by Smith Gunther, which examined the economic impact of ATVs specifically. Both of these reports are a snapshot in time of the economic impacts of ATV and Side-by-Side or Recreational Off-Road Vehicles (ROVs) recreational activities. Since the 2006 study, ROVs have become a significant factor and both data sources and geographic information systems have improved facilitating increased direct expenditures and availability of data to analyze the impacts.
Other expenditures include upkeep and operations of the entire stock of all ATVs and ROVs that is the surviving stock of ATVs and ROVs sold in all years dating back to 1994 for ATVs and 2006 for ROV, enhancements of any on-highway vehicles to facilitate ATV or ROV recreational activities, paid repair and maintenance, gasoline for ATVs and ROVs, membership fees, licensing costs, attendance at events and off-highway vehicle shows and related travel, e.g. mileage charges, food and beverages and accommodation as well as related entertainment.
Foreign spending is not considered in the report, but would increase economic impact further. Volunteer time is not considered since it is outside of Stats Canada’s Input/Output range (because no funds are exchanged). Smith Gunther, nevertheless value volunteer time at $554 million to $858 million annually. Licensing fees are also not considered because they are usually recycled back into the general government revenues where their subsequent use will no longer impact ATVs or ROVs. Smith Gunther estimates their impact at $99 million to $123 million.
COHV BACKGROUNDER
The Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council, originally founded in 1984, is a national, non-profit, trade association, which represents the responsible interests of the major ATV distributors, as well as the manufacturers, distributors and retail outlets of OHV-related products and services, and individual owners and riders of off-highway vehicles in Canada.
Member companies such as; Arctic Cat; Can-Am-BRP; Honda; John Deere, Kawasaki; KTM; Polaris; Suzuki and Yamaha are committed to the integrity of the ATV and ROV industry.
COHV’s mission is the ongoing education and training of the general public on the safe and responsible use of all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles as well as to promote the responsible interests of riders and the industry.
As an industry COHV and its member companies believe that it is important to work with government and the public in our mutual goal of creating balanced legislation that works, is enforceable and includes the very important component of public education and training.
TIAO News
TIAO Launches Partnership with Green Tourism
One of the first sustainable tourism certification programs in the world, Green Tourism has remained one of the most sought-after eco-labels and certification programs. Unlike many other sustainable business certification programs who allow self-assessments and grading, every one of our members are individually assessed by trained green business experts, who review everything from energy efficiency to food sources. This thorough assessment process gives our members insight into how to further reduce their business's impact on the environment, how to best manage future projects, as well as a personalized action plan about how to build their green business.Through this new partnership, TIAO will be the exclusive purveyor of Green Tourism's certification program in Ontario, and will be able to offer affiliate Green Tourism memberships at preferred rates in addition to TIAO memberships. Stay tuned for more details!
