Province recoups ATV funds

In co-operation with corporate partners, the All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Nova Scotia is reimbursing the province $230,000 for the purchase of youth-sized all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) for required safety training. "The Off-Highway Vehicle Ministerial Advisory Committee, representing a very broad range of community stakeholders, was able to come to a complete consensus in a very short time frame," said Laurie Cranton, committee chair. "We are happy to see our recommendations to the Minister of Natural Resources accepted and the necessary safety training and education moving forward. "I want to commend the group for the speed and professionalism in which we were able to collaborate with all-terrain vehicle association to make this happen."

The association will pay the funds to the province in three installments, beginning with $80,000 in the next month. "We are now able to proceed with this extremely valuable program," said Wayne Rock, President of the ATV association. "We can continue providing education and training programs to our users who have a great interest in using ATVs in the safest and most responsible manner."

On July 3, the off-highway vehicle file was transferred from the Department of Health Promotion and Protection to the Department of Natural Resources.

Minister of Natural Resources David Morse received the recommendation from the OHV ministerial advisory committee July 9. "We'd like to thank the ATV associations and the OHV ministerial committee, and all of the corporate partners who made this transition a smooth one," said Morse. "We are looking forward to proceeding with the management of

the OHV file, keeping safety our number one priority."