Blake Ellis/The Independent

ATVs won’t be allowed on Enniskillen roads.

A request by Enniskillen Resident Mark Braet failed to sway Enniskillen Township Council to allow all terrain vehicles on township roads.

Braet made a presentation to council on Oct. 8 along with representatives from the Tri-Shore ATV Club.

Braet wanted to be allowed to drive ATVs on roads in the township so a trail system could be developed much like in the Dresden area.

The group suggested the trail system could be a new source of tourism for the rural municipality.

There were approximately 286,000 ATVs in Ontario in 2024. It has been estimated that Ontario riders take 492,500 day trips a year outside of their local areas.

The average rider spends $249 on a day trip and $1,086 on a multi-day excursion, said Braet.

Enniskillen Township passed a by-law in 2020 prohibiting the operation of ATVs within the township, on the advice of its insurance carrier.

Enniskillen is the only municipality in Lambton that has passed a bylaw prohibiting ATVs.

Enniskillen’s Administrator-Clerk Christine Poland still recommends that the bylaw remain in place and not be changed. Council agreed.