Revision of the municipal by-law governing off-road vehicle access on certain roads in Edmundston

Nov 18, 2025

The City of Edmundston is currently conducting a comprehensive review of its municipal by-law regulating access for off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), on certain segments of municipal roads.

The current by-law, spread across three separate documents (By-laws 31, 31.1, and 31.2), dates back approximately fifteen years. Since its adoption, travel patterns and the needs of the local ATV association have evolved significantly. Some road segments currently used by members of the association are not listed in the existing by-law, while other sections that are still included are no longer used or relevant.

The local ATV association has also expressed interest in accessing new road segments to improve efficiency and safety for its members. These include, notably, Chemin des Lavoie, the upper portion of Chemin du Pouvoir up to Carrier Street, as well as certain streets in the Bellevue area to connect to the international bridge and the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation.

An Industry with Significant Economic Benefits

The off-road vehicle industry generates major economic spinoffs within the municipality by promoting tourism and commercial activity. The City of Edmundston is committed to supporting initiatives from the local association when they create positive benefits for the community and all road users.

“ATV riding is an integral part of our regional identity. It’s a recreational activity that attracts visitors, supports our local businesses, and allows residents to fully enjoy our territory. We want to ensure that our regulations are up to date, reflect current realities, and encourage balanced development,” said Aldéo Nadeau, Deputy Mayor of Edmundston.

Key Steps in the Review Process

The process to update the by-law is being carried out in several stages:

• Analysis of the current by-law and its three existing versions.
• Presentation to the ATV association of the roads currently authorized.
• Feedback from the association confirming which sections are still in use, identifying those that are not, and proposing new segments.
• Evaluation by the Traffic Committee to determine the feasibility and safety of the proposed additions.
• Submission of the final report to the Department of Public Safety for comments and approval.

At the same time, the association and the federation must submit applications for Road Occupancy and Use Permits or Access Authorizations for any provincial road segments. Once all required authorizations have been received, City Council will proceed with the official readings and adoption of the revised by-law.

Advancing a Pending File

It should be noted that in 2015, two by-laws were submitted to the Department of Public Safety, but official authorizations have yet to be received. The City of Edmundston intends to use this review process as an opportunity to move the file forward and accelerate the modernization of the regulatory framework governing off-road vehicles.

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CONTACT: Daniel Gautreau, Green Spaces Coordinator, 506.739.2103