Quebec Ski Industry Welcomes Bonus Of The ‘PACTE’ Program

The Association des stations de ski du Québec (ASSQ) is delighted with the enhancement of the PACTE program, which will better support tourism businesses that are in difficulty due to the pandemic crisis. The announcement made by Minister Caroline Proulx provides for an increase in the forgivable portion of loans granted under the Temporary Concerted Action Program for Enterprises (PACTE) - tourism component, as well as a reduction in the cost of energy expenditure. for companies admitted to the program. 

Founded in 1979, the ASSQ is a non-profit organization bringing together all the ski resorts in Quebec. Its mission is to promote and defend the interests of the resorts, foster the development of the next generation and support the industry in order to offer skiers and snowboarders memorable mountain experiences. Downhill skiing and snowboarding are practiced by approximately 1.4 million Quebecers.

They say "We salute the work of the Minister of Tourism, Caroline Proulx, to find solutions for tourism companies in the unprecedented context of the crisis caused by COVID-19". The eligible pardon on energy costs represents a positive response to the request from ski resorts to suspend the application of the winter penalty on Hydro-Québec rates.#

"With today's announcement, Minister Proulx is demonstrating her attentiveness to the difficulties of the tourism sector and more particularly to the particular reality of energy consumption costs for ski resorts and sliding centers", said Yves Juneau, President and CEO of the Association des stations de ski du Québec.“This initiative certainly offers hope to our industry. This is why we will continue our efforts so that the reduction of energy costs continues beyond the crisis because these costs represent the main item of expenditure, after labor, in operating costs. of a ski resort, ”concluded Mr. Juneau.