On-road and offroad motorcycles and OHVs are a major boost to Canada’s local, regional, and national economies, generating, on average, over $17.3 billion a year in total economic output across the nation.
The Canadian Quad Council (CQC), Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC), and Moto Canada last week released an economic study focused on the fiscal year of 2022, noting that on and off-road motorcycles and off-highway vehicles (OHVs) are used for both commercial and recreational purposes generating economic activity through sales, repair, and maintenance, as well as taxes, permitting, licensing, and fees as well as travel spending, accommodations, food purchases, fuel and more.
“Off road motorcycling has really hit the mainstream and it’s time to break some unfortunate stereotypes and recognize the economic and social benefits that riding brings to Canada, and, more specifically, the Province of Ontario,” says the Ontario Federation of Trail Riders (OFTR) Executive Director Lisa Thompson.
The study found that motorized recreational uses contribute significantly to tourism and trails drawing users to rural areas where economic opportunities are highly desired. The report also suggests interest in motorized recreational activities continues to trend higher year-to-year, but loss of access to riding areas could easily reverse that trend.
“Off-road trail riding is now a family pastime and attracts people from all ages, genders and walks of life,” adds Ms. Thompson, whose organization represents over 6000 individuals and 15 members clubs from across the province.
Study highlights:
● On-road motorcycles and OHVs are a major boost to Canada’s local, regional, and national economies, generating, on average, over $17.3 billion a year in total economic output across the nation.
● The industry contributes annually $4.083 billion to the Ontario economy, second only to the Province of Quebec with $4.241 billion.
● Direct and indirect employment is also a significant factor for the industry that supports well over 88,000 jobs across the Nation and all three levels of government (municipal, provincial and municipal) benefit significantly from over $3.2 billion in combined annual revenues and, in Ontario alone, over $665.4 million in taxes.
“These numbers do not include the volunteer hours, contributions, land stewardship initiatives and charitable works that many recreational riders contribute each year to their communities. Clearly the impact of motorized recreational vehicles is large and brings substantive benefit to the economies and people of Ontario and Canada,” concludes Ms. Thompson.
- From Ontario Federation of Trail Riders
