How You Can Help Support Ontario Snowmobiling…
Related: Misconceptions About the OFSC
Would you rather be riding this…
…or this?
Support Ontario Snowmobiling Intro
Why do we need to step up and support Ontario snowmobiling this winter? Because we’re behind the eight ball right now. Making ends meet is tough everywhere and organized snowmobiling isn’t immune to the economic disruption that affects us all. So, it’s time for a reset and that starts with having enough permit revenue…
Expense & Revenue
Operating expenses to deliver OFSC Prescribed Snowmobile Trails soared by 52% between 2020 and 2025. During this same 5-years, permit fees have only gone up by a about 8%. So, there’s a burning need for additional revenue to operate the OFSC trail network going forward.
No Fee Increase
That’s why OFSC clubs recommended raising 2026 permit fees by a modest 7% at their Annual General Meeting. Despite this request being no cost to the government, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) refused to approve the increase.
What’s Next
Yes, the OFSC is also implementing a trail adjustment plan. Taken together, these two initiatives will make the entire network more viable, affordable and sustainable. The negative MTO permit fee decision makes trail right-sizing even more imperative. Even so, making up for the funding shortfall that no permit increase caused will be next to impossible. Unless snowmobilers step up to help out.
Lobby The Premier
That’s why I emailed a letter to Premier Doug Ford about this dire situation (click on image below – and yes, that’s Doug himself front & centre). In it, I requested his intervention for a permit fee increase by the MTO and explained why. I sent the letter on behalf of all clubs and volunteers and permit buyers. Plus, hospitality operators, other snowmobile-related businesses. And the hundreds of rural and northern Ontario communities that depend on snowmobiling each winter.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW LETTER
How Each Snowmobiler Can Help
Hopefully, this outreach to the Premier starts the ball rolling to increase permit fees. But meanwhile, thousands of Ontario snowmobilers can make a huge impact. So, if you want snowmobile trails in your future, please act now to do your part:
- Buy an Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit (contribute more by purchasing on Dec. 2).
- Email your MPP to advocate for fee increase by MTO. Click here to find MPP contact info.
- Share this post with every snowmobiler you know.
Your supporting action will not go unrewarded. Even if MTO doesn’t reverse their decision, organized snowmobiling will be more top of mind with the Ontario government. Snowmobilers will be more united. And there’ll be enough permit revenue to deliver quality trails this winter.
My Last Word On Support Ontario Snowmobiling
Finally, to any snowmobilers who don’t a permit: remember, that you get what you pay for. If you pay nothing, no trails is what you’ll get. Is that what you really want? No trails to ride anywhere in Ontario? Boy, that would suck big time!
The tips and advice in this blog are the opinions of the author, may not work in every situation and are intended only for the convenience and interest of the reader, who has the personal responsibility to confirm the validity, accuracy and relevancy of this information prior to putting it to their own use.