Rando Québec and the Sentier international des Appalaches (SIA) are calling on political parties to guarantee stable funding for outdoor trail maintenance [1].
The request highlights a growing struggle to preserve the safety and accessibility of provincial hiking networks. Without predictable financial support, the groups said that the physical condition of the trails will deteriorate, impacting both local tourism and environmental conservation efforts [2].
The organizations focused their appeal on the need for a sustainable funding model. They said that the current reliance on one-time subsidies is no longer sufficient to maintain the trails in good condition [1]. These sporadic grants create gaps in maintenance schedules, making it difficult to plan long-term infrastructure repairs or manage erosion.
The appeal specifically mentions the provincial network, including trails in the Gaspésie region [2]. These areas are critical for outdoor recreation but require constant upkeep to handle hiker traffic and weather-related damage.
By targeting political parties, the groups aim to move trail maintenance from a discretionary spending item to a guaranteed budgetary priority. They said that the shift toward predictable funding is the only way to ensure the long-term viability of Quebec's outdoor hiking infrastructure [1].
The groups are pushing for a commitment that transcends individual election cycles to ensure that the trails remain safe for the public [2].
“One-time subsidies are no longer sufficient to maintain the trails in good condition.”
This push for systemic funding reflects a broader tension between the rising popularity of outdoor recreation and the lack of permanent infrastructure budgets. By moving away from precarious grants, these organizations are attempting to institutionalize the maintenance of natural corridors as essential public infrastructure rather than optional leisure amenities.
