Big Pete

I think the key is “signed”. If it’s not posted as private there is an argument that the invitation to access the road is implied since it looks like any other road. Once it’s posted private you remove the implied invitation.

I think you are misinterpreting the definition of a public place. The MSVA specifically states that Trail permit required 2.1 (1) No person shall drive a motorized snow vehicle upon a prescribed trail except under the authority of, and in accordance with, a trail permit for the motorized snow vehicle issued under subsection (2) or except on lands occupied by the owner of the motorized snow vehicle. 2000, c. 30, s. 3. This negates the definition of public place as there is no right or invitation, express or implied, to the location. A trail permit is required to access a prescribed trail. That’s why the No Trespassing sign is required at each entry point to private property.

When I check my subscriptions (IOS) it’s due for renewal on Dec 1st. Not sure if that’s the date it will be available or if that’s my 1 year anniversary.

$45 per day with a 2 day minimum. Order on-line after Dec 2nd. Print your own permit.

The bridge officially opened this season. Check out West Carleton FB page. Longest Snowmobile bridge in the world at 1600 ft.

I would drop south of 417. Don’t think you will be disappointed getting into Nation Valley, Seaway, Riverside, Glengarry.

It might be a touch pessimistic but only because there is not a lot of base right now. There has been no significant accumulation since the storm on Jan 17. For my club there are pieces of each trail that could certainly be green but we have decided to keep it yellow for now.

Bridge opened yesterday.

Working perfectly on my IPhone XR, IPad and Mac too.

The new bridge has received all required approvals from both the OFSC and The FCMQ. The West Carleton club is working hard to get the bridge packed and groomed so it can be opened on the ITG. Hopefully that happens shortly.

Screen shot of D1 using mobile app on I-Phone XR and Safari.

In case anybody is still looking for a Triton clamshell trailer

Scottyr, can I ask what you mean by full coverage. Limits? Deductibles? thanks

Check out the 4 Tour Loops in UCSR D-1. https://ucsr.ca/trail-loops/ and we hope to have some exciting news about new riding opportunities in the next week or so. Stay tuned.

Our club philosophy is that a volunteer gives generously of their time. There is no expectation that they be saddled with out of pocket expenses related to those volunteer activities (gas, wear/tear on personal equipment). If a club volunteer submits an expense claim for vehicle mileage, gas for atv/chain saw, new chain for chain saw etc. it is paid with thanks. The reality is that nobody submits these claims because they see it as another way of supporting the club. On rare occasions something unusual will come up and the club looks at those on a case by case basis. A good example was a volunteer was doing some early packing on their sled on a bad piece of trail that was severely damaged by atv traffic. Sled got caught in a rut and rolled on its side breaking a side panel. The club bought the new part and the volunteer installed it. Everyone went home happy. Trail signage is done by 1 or 2 volunteers doing their assigned sections. Usually no expenses incurred there as they work their own schedules as time permits. For larger projects (trail routes, brushing, bridge redecking etc) that have larger worker parties (usually 8-12 people) or the location is remote, someone will organize an on trail lunch (paid for by club) that could be chilli, sandwiches etc. If its a relatively short day we might just go to a restaurant (1 that buys a map ad) and have lunch. No alcohol reimbursed.

Good news for anyone using the BRP Go! App. https://www.ofsc.on.ca/2021/11/12/brp-go-navigation-app-is-a-go-for-the-ontario-federation-of-snowmobiles/

I recall riding our sleds to the monthly club meeting (first Wednesday of the month) in Dec 2008. Lots of early snow and groomed to near perfection. Of course it promptly melted a few days later and we did not reopen until first week of January. But is was nice while it lasted.

I have heard the exact same thing from our local BRP dealer too. Sleds are arriving but parts are missing. And like Ramsomair said, it’s a waiting game on parts and then having the capacity to finish the build and deliver. let’s hope parts arrive sooner rather than later and sleds can get delivered in time for first snow.

Have received further clarification since posting this. The rules outlined by signfan are correct. Trails between green/yellow areas can open. Trails between orange/red areas cannot. Does not make sense to me that 2 neighbouring areas that are both orange or red could not open connecting trails. What’s the difference if both areas are the same colour. But then again there are lots of things connected with the pandemic that don’t make sense.

As I understand it health units that are the same colour can open the connector trails. Different colour, trail stays closed.

I don’t believe the act says what you claim. A prescribed trail does not provide exclusive access to the land. A “prescribed trail requires a motorized snow vehicle to have a valid permit” . The land use agreement provides the limitations on who can be on the land. Some are exclusive. Some are not. So if a prescribed trail is located on land that has a non exclusive land use agreement, any snowmobile ( subject to the permitted exclusions) must have a valid permit even if the prescribed trail is on crown land. Since an atv is not covered under the MSVA, they would not require a valid permit. The type of land ( private vs public) is a separate issue and the land use is governed by whatever agreement is struck. For private land, the standard land use agreement preferred by the OFSC provides for exclusive use. That is the primary reason the federation is able to obtain liability insurance. There are also many multi-use agreements in place but that is where the liability insurance gets tricky. The last time I read the various acts regarding public property, the MNR is able to grant exclusive land use agreements. However the fact of the matter is do not grant these exclusive use agreements anymore as a matter of internal policy. Why the non exclusive policy is in place would be a question for the Minister of Natural Resources and Forests. Maybe the OFSC could get the ministers from MNRF, MTO and Tourism/Recreation/Sport at the same table and come to some arrangements that work for everybody, snowmobilers, ATVers, campers, other outdoor enthusiasts included. It’s a big province. Surely there is enough room for everybody.

Here is a link to the Set Fines for each Act in Ontario. IIRC you would need to add the Victims Surcharge to the fine listed to get to your out of pocket cost. https://www.ontariocourts.ca/ocj/how-do-i/set-fines/set-fines-i/

The Set Fines listed on the Ont Govt site are: Schedule 4.0.1 Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act Item Offence Section Set Fine 1. Fail to comply with an order made during a declared emergency 7.0.11 (1) (a) $750.00 2. Obstruct any person exercising a power in accordance with an order made during a declared emergency 7.0.11 (1) (a) $1000.00 3. Obstruct any person performing a duty in accordance with an order made during a declared emergency 7.0.11 (1) (a) $1000.00 Schedule 80.1 Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 Item Offence Section Set Fine 1. Fail to comply with a continued section 7.0.2 order 10 (1) (a) $750.00 2. Obstruct any person exercising a power in accordance with a continued section 7.0.2 order 10 (1) (a) $1000.00 3. Obstruct any person performing a duty in accordance with a continued section 7.0.2 order 10 (1) (a) $1000.00 I would assume there would be Victim Surcharges added t those fines.as well.

Scotty, part of the confusion is that the English version of the FCMQ website has not been updated. I also applied for the OpenHouse permit last night and the dates still show Jan 16/17.

Our District held a Zoom call with the SAVE Team in Eastern Ontario last week. That is exactly the message we got. They will work with local detachments to increase presence on trail as much as they can. If clubs have particular problem areas they should report in to SAVE and they will try to put extra coverage in place. my overall impression was they want to do a good job for the clubs without being too draconian in nature. They understand there will be confusion around trail closures between PHU so there will be fair amount of education going on in that regard. As to the basics (permits/Val tags/insurance/impaired/cans etc) it looked like zero tolerance.