FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AWESOME Day for ATVANS and ATV Riding in Nova Scotia
Bill to Allow OHV Road Travel in Nova Scotia Introduced
Today Minister Kim Masland introduced a bill putting an end to the “Share The Road” pilot project and making road travel in certain areas legal in Nova Scotia. The bill applies the same rules as the pilot project and new candidate sites will be added as they are evaluated. The bill also allows for municipalities to create bylaws to allow OHV travel on roads they control, where appropriate.
This is an exciting time for our organization and sport. This was a ten-year effort that finally paid off. We will need to have clear communication and the bill must still make its way through the legislative process. Government has assured me that they will make this happen quickly.
ATVANS will provide additional details as we learn them in the coming days.
In attendance at the legislature were Barry Barnet, Executive Director, Paul Smith, Treasurer, Tom Arnold, Vice President, Eric Rideout, Trails Coordinator and Jen MacIsaac, Member Services Coordinator.
L-R: Tory Rushton (Cumberland South), Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables; Jen MacIsaac, ATVANS Member Services Coordinator; Eric Rideout, ATVANS Trails Coordinator; Kim Masland (Queens), Minister of Public Works; Barry Barnet, ATVANS Executive Director; Tim Houston (Pictou East), Premier of Nova Scotia; Barb Adams (Eastern Passage), Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care; Danielle Barkhouse (Chester-St. Margaret's), Deputy Speaker; Tom Arnold, ATVANS Vice President 2; Paul Smith, ATVANS Treasurer; Brad Johns (Sackville-Uniacke), Attorney General and Minister of Justice
We have included the government press release for additional information:
News release
Legislation Supports Off-Highway Vehicle Use
Public Works
March 24, 2023 - 9:14 AM
The new Road Trails Act, introduced today, March 24, creates a permanent set of rules so off-highway vehicle (OHV) operators can safely enjoy their vehicles on roads at approved locations.
This also gives riders improved trail connections and better access to services like gas stations and restaurants.
“The OHV pilot project showed us that Nova Scotians want to be able to use their vehicles to have fun, meet up with friends and enjoy the natural beauty of our province,” said Public Works Minister Kim Masland. “This legislation makes sure we can continue to use current OHV sites, while giving us a way to safely add more connections.”
The rules for using portions of provincial roads will remain the same as they were under the pilot project. Riders are required to have a valid driver’s licence, insurance, registration and a licence plate.
The act also allows for enforcement of the rules and gives municipalities the ability to designate local streets for the use of off-highway vehicles through bylaws.
Quotes:
Our members across Nova Scotia have been patiently waiting for this day. This legislation will help us make vital connections, create safer travel and grow the local economy.
Barry Barnet, Executive Director, All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Nova Scotia
Quick Facts:
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the off-highway vehicle pilot project started in 2018 and will end October 2, 2023
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Nova Scotia’s Off-highway Vehicles Act has not been amended significantly since 2006
Additional Resources:
Off-highway vehicle pilot project and reports: https://novascotia.ca/ohv-pilot/
Department of Public Works on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NS_PublicWorks
Bill 273 (as introduced), First Reading:
https://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/bills-statutes/bills/assembly-64-session-1/bill-273
