TQ3 trail in Pessamit: a new route could end the dispute By Julien-Pierre Desmeules-Paré3: 10 PM - January 27, 2021 Reading time: 4 minutes A new route could help settle the dispute between Pessamit and snowmobilers in the region. Access to the TQ3 snowmobile trail is still inaccessible in the Pessamit sector, which causes several complications for members of snowmobile clubs in the region. The various officials in this story are trying to find a common ground to end this conflict, and a new course may well be the solution. The Côte-Nord administrator for the Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec (FCMQ), Daniel Jean, admits that the situation is not easy. “Currently, the club is in analysis to build a bypass path. We made a request to the MTQ (Quebec Ministry of Transport) for money, ”explains Mr. Jean, who specifies that the FCMQ is a non-profit organization. This bypass would take snowmobilers much further north towards Lake Nipi. A route that is complicated, but not impossible to achieve according to club officials
According to Jean, these routes are dependent on landowners in the province who have the power to accept or refuse snowmobilers on their territory through a right of way. This right can be applied at the will of the owner who, in normal times, announces his decision a year in advance in order to allow the clubs to rework the new paths. It is the Bolides de Ragueneau snowmobile club, and not the Manicouagan Snowmobile Association (AMMI) as mentioned in the first text on the subject, which is responsible for maintaining this portion of the TQ3 road. However, at this time, it is not possible for volunteers to access it. Mr. Jean would like to pay tribute to the work of the volunteers of all the snowmobile clubs and associations in the region. “They have a lot of work to maintain the roads. Some work on the machines from morning to night. People work hard and I tip my hat to them. " The administrator confirms that the clubs are trying by all means to find an alternative to "arrange the snowmobilers and open the trails as quickly as possible". Several requirements For Jean-René Martel, president of the Bolides de Ragueneau, the club members are for the most part responsible and respectful. “There are always offenders who don't have their cards and who are causing trouble for everyone,” he says. Saying that he is ready to listen to the requests of the Innu community of Pessamit, Mr. Martel explains, however, that it would be difficult for the clubs to meet the demands made. To meet the demands, “all snowmobilers who use this trail should have training in aboriginal rights and native customs. We should also put a sticker on our snowmobile to show that we have received the training. We cannot form the whole province of Quebec like that, ”emphasizes the president. In return, he says he has offered some possible solutions that have so far remained without a clear answer. "If it's achievable, we'll do everything on our own to make it work." “The people of the region here know that we are on an aboriginal reserve. We understand it and we respect it, they are on their ground, ”emphasizes Mr. Martel
Pessamit ready to listen Jean-Noël Riverin, member of the Innu Council of Pessamit and spokesperson on the matter, reiterates that it is not a question of money, but of law. "We do not want the money from the associations, that they keep it to make a route other than in the Pessamit sector," explained Mr. Riverin. As for the new track, the spokesperson says he doesn't see a problem for the moment. “At this time, I see nothing that could affect the right of way for our members. ", He said, specifying that there will still have to be consultations since the new route should encroach on hunting territory. The decision whether or not to accept the route should be decided soon. "We are going to discuss it with the Council to see the possibilities with the new route," says Jean-Noël Riverin in conclusion.
