Former champion Alex Harvey and businessman Mario Bédard, from the Avenir Mont-Sainte-Anne coalition, met last Friday with ministers Geneviève Guilbault and Pierre Fitzgibbon to discuss the survival of the Beaupré ski resort.
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Without giving too many details on the discussions between the parties, Mario Bédard believes that the Quebec government should be proactive by the end of February. MNA Émilie Foster, elected in Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré, was also present at the meeting.
“I felt there was something on the table. Mr. Fitzgibbon is a great skier and he understands the issues well. They have had meetings with RCR and they have scenarios under consideration. On February 15, they will have completed their analysis and they will know where they are going. It’s not wind,” explained Mr. Bédard.
Positive signs
The contract with the owner RCR, as well as a possible investment with or without a partner, would be at the heart of the reflection.
Pierre Fitzgibbon is Minister of Economy and Innovation and responsible for regional economic development. For her part, Deputy Premier Geneviève Guilbault is responsible for the Capitale-Nationale.
The Quebec government should then make its decision known to the new coalition of citizens concerned regarding the future of the mountain. “It moves. I clearly understood that it worked for real. I found that positive even if I know that the regulars of the station have a very mitigated confidence towards RCR”, adds Mr. Bédard.
For his part, skier Alex Harvey said he was reassured by the government’s attitude. “I have the impression that the file is taken seriously. It was constructive and I feel the status quo is unacceptable to them. They moved forward on short-term dates. It’s not a tablet folder that gathers dust.”
Not very talkative, Minister Fitzgibbon simply spoke of an informal meeting. “We were listening,” he said by email.
Significant mobilization
As of January 17, more than 11,000 people have signed a petition in favor of modernizing Mont-Sainte-Anne.
Again this week, ski lifts have experienced failures and customers denounce it each time. As if that weren’t enough, Hydro-Quebec issued a power reduction call due to high electricity demand. Activities are therefore disrupted early in the day.
Since December, the Avenir Mont-Sainte-Anne coalition has brought together political leaders, business people, representatives of the tourist community and athletes to prevent, they say, this “natural jewel, victim of chronic underinvestment” from decline further.
According to the group, the mountain has reached a critical threshold and the situation cannot continue.