Quebec to invest in Mont-Sainte-Anne

An article from the local weekly The Charlevoixian, published on Wednesday, reveals that the Legault government and the Alberta company Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) have reached a financial agreement that will be announced in the coming weeks.

This information was confirmed to Soleil by a reliable source.

However, it is not yet clear how much public funding will be involved or in what form it will be provided.

The Mont-Sainte-Anne resort has been experiencing challenging years. In December 2022, a gondola detached and fell several meters down the slope. Fortunately, there were no passengers on board.

Since then, additional technical issues have arisen, indicating that the owner company may have neglected standard maintenance and equipment renewal.

“Nothing signed”

A group of resort users has even called for the government to expropriate RCR.

Other winter tourism companies, such as Massif de Charlevoix and Compagnie des montagnes de ski du Québec, have expressed interest in acquiring this once-thriving tourist destination of the Côte-de-Beaupré.

However, RCR has consistently refused to sell and even proposed a development plan worth half a billion dollars in April 2023.

The government investment is expected to lead to significant improvements in facilities, particularly regarding ski lifts, according to The Charlevoixian.

On Wednesday morning, at the National Assembly, the Minister of the Economy and the Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development, Christine Fréchette, stated that there is “nothing signed” yet and declined to comment further.

Contacted by The Sun, RCR did not deny this new development. However, the company has chosen not to comment at this time.

No confidence, says QS

Sol Zanetti, a member of the Québec solidaire party and its spokesperson for the Capitale-Nationale region, believes that the Legault government is making “the worst decision that could have been made” in this situation.

“RCR has demonstrated that it is not reliable and does not take care of the mountain or the equipment. There is no reason to trust it going forward,” said Zanetti.

The elected representative from Solidarity maintains that despite a 99-year operating lease ending in 2093, the government should expropriate RCR and hand over the management of the ski center to the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq).

“Providing funds to RCR puts you at risk of needing to do so again in the future. We must break free from this blackmail quickly,” Mr. Zanetti stated.

Mont-Sainte-Anne Resort Investment Deal: What You Need to Know

An article from the local weekly The Charlevoixian published Wednesday reveals that the Legault government and the Alberta company Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) have reached a financial agreement which will be unveiled in the coming weeks. The information was confirmed at Soleil from a reliable source. However, it remains unclear just how much and in what form public funds will be involved in this venture.

Current State of Mont-Sainte-Anne Resort

The Mont-Sainte-Anne resort is navigating through challenging times. A significant incident occurred in December 2022 when a gondola came loose and collapsed onto the slope, fortunately, causing no injuries as no one was on board. This unfortunate event has raised concerns regarding the maintenance and safety protocols established by RCR.

Since that incident, further technical problems have surfaced, demonstrating an alarming neglect of normal maintenance and renewal of ski resort equipment. This condition has led some local enthusiasts to question the capacity of RCR to manage the resort effectively.

“Nothing Signed Yet” – Government’s Position

A group of frequent visitors to Mont-Sainte-Anne even demanded that the government expropriate RCR due to their perceived mismanagement. Meanwhile, other winter tourism companies, including the Massif de Charlevoix and the Compagnie des montagnes de ski du Québec, have expressed interest in purchasing this once-thriving tourist destination on the Côte-de-Beaupré. Despite these offers, RCR has consistently refused to sell, recently proposing a half-billion dollar development initiative in April 2023.

The anticipated government investment aims to fund significant improvements to the resort’s facilities, particularly focusing on enhancing the ski lifts. However, during a session at the National Assembly on Wednesday morning, Christine Fréchette, the Minister of the Economy and Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development, acknowledged that there is “nothing signed” yet, thus withholding further comments on the matter.

Concerns from the Opposition: No Confidence in RCR

Amidst these unfolding events, Sol Zanetti, a member of the Québec solidaire party and spokesperson for the Capitale-Nationale region, has been vocal about his concerns regarding the government’s decision-making process. He articulated that the Legault government is making what he considers “the worst decision that could have been made” in this matter.

Zanetti emphasized that RCR has previously demonstrated untrustworthiness and negligence regarding the resort’s upkeep. “RCR has proven that it is not trustworthy and that it does not take care of the mountain and the equipment on it. There is no reason to trust it going forward,” he noted.

Given the long-term 99-year operating lease that extends to 2093, Zanetti maintains that the government should pursue the expropriation of RCR. He argues that management of Mont-Sainte-Anne ought to be entrusted to the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq) instead. “Giving money to RCR puts you at risk of needing to do it again in the future. We must get out of this blackmail and quickly,” Zanetti added.

Implications of the Potential Agreement

Public Funding Involvement

Details are scarce regarding the public funding that might be allocated to RCR and the Mont-Sainte-Anne resort. Here’s what we currently know:

• Anonymous Sources: Information about the agreement has surfaced through reliable, albeit anonymous, sources.
• Focus on Upgrades: The funds will likely focus on infrastructure enhancements, particularly the ski lifts, to ensure better safety and improved visitor experiences.
• Government’s Cautious Stance: Officials are urging caution by stating that no formal agreements have been finalized.

Critics’ Stance on RCR’s Capabilities

With a past marred by incidents and a lack of maintenance, critics of RCR, including political leaders and influential community members, cast doubt on the company’s capability to handle future investments responsibly. This raises questions about whether financial backing should be funneled into a company that has faltered previously.

What Could the Future Hold for Mont-Sainte-Anne?

The Mont-Sainte-Anne resort’s future remains uncertain, and the impending financial agreement could mean various pathways:

• Revitalization: Should the agreement successfully materialize, we may witness a revival of the resort, attracting more visitors and restoring its status as a key player in Quebec’s winter tourism.
• Risks of Mismanagement: On the flip side, continued support for RCR might lead to duplicating past mistakes, leaving the resort in a precarious position yet again.

Word on the Ground: Stakeholder Perspectives

Stakeholders from various backgrounds have weighed in on either side of the debate regarding the government’s investment in Mont-Sainte-Anne:

Local Businesses:

Local entrepreneurs have expressed hope that rejuvenated government interest could boost the regional economy by revitalizing tourism activities.

Visitors:

Frequent patrons of the resort are cautious yet optimistic, hoping for improved facilities but with clear demands for accountability.

Political Analysts:

Political commentators anticipate that the government will need to navigate public opinion cautiously to avoid backlash over the use of taxpayer money.

Conclusion

As the situation develops regarding the Mont-Sainte-Anne resort’s future, the key players involved — including the Legault government and RCR — will shape the outcome significantly. The input from opposition parties and local stakeholders will serve as vital indicators of community sentiment and the likely reception of the forthcoming financial agreement.

Aspect	Details
Resort Condition	Challenging, with mechanical failures and a recent gondola incident.
Government Role	Potential financial investment aimed at improving facilities.
Public Reaction	Mixed, with calls for accountability and better management practices.
Future Opportunities	Possibility of revitalization or continued mismanagement issues.