(Laval) Expropriating the manager of Mont-Sainte-Anne is an “impossibility” and would harm the attraction of foreign investors in Quebec, argues the Minister of the Economy, Pierre Fitzgibbon. The government plans to financially help Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) but also other ski resort owners, provided that there is “risk sharing”.
For Mr. Fitzgibbon, RCR “respects the limited obligations provided for in the 99-year lease that it signed with the government in 1994. The expropriation, demanded by the Coalition Avenir Mont-Sainte-Anne, is thus an “impossibility”, he believes, while recognizing that in theory the government “could expropriate” the operator.
“Me, am I in favor of that? The answer is no. It would send a signal… I am in charge of international economic development. I am looking for investors. It would be paradoxical if, under no legal reason, someone were expropriated while looking for investors. I am against expropriation, ”he explained during a press scrum on Friday, on the last day of the CAQ caucus meeting to prepare for the parliamentary session which begins next week.
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economy
Mont-Sainte-Anne is a “jewel” and it is “very legitimate” to ask the owner to invest in improving the quality of its facilities, added Mr. Fitzgibbon. RCR has already proposed a plan worth $100 million, half of which would be funded by the government.
Quebec is studying the idea of helping RCR financially but also all the ski resorts. “Obviously, when you get involved with an organization, you have to be fair with all the others as well,” explained Pierre Fitzgibbon.
The association of ski resorts estimates the investment required to replace the snow cannons at $65 million.
“It would be unacceptable” for the government to take on this bill, said Mr. Fitzgibbon, adding that “it takes risk sharing. »
“Does the government have a role to play in this? May be. Because it will help the energy: the (new) snow cannons consume less energy, ”he pleaded. To justify possible financial assistance, he added that ski resorts represent “an important activity”.
“So can we help the industry? Most likely. But at what level? I think there is a substantive discussion to be seen on this which is not over. »
He mentioned a modulated aid according to different criteria such as “the tourist attraction” of each station and “the sustainability of the mountain”.