The Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) is pleased to now have more control over the regulation of recreational boating on the lakes in its territory. Municipalities must continue to “pull down their pants,” says Michèle Gérin, former general director of the Bleu Massawippi association, who has been at the forefront of the fight.
Published at 2:32 am. Updated at 7:00 a.m.
On Thursday, Finance Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, who took care of this dossier as MP for Compton-Stanstead in Estrie, announced that Transport Canada would now have the power to quickly publish a decree when a municipality adopts a resolution and for example, after clearly justifying the decision, they want to regulate access to a lake or the speed of the boats sailing there.
“The people of Lake Memphremagog have been hoping for this for 50 years. “We at Lake Massawippi presented the file to Minister Bibeau on September 8, 2016,” says Ms. Gérin. I remember it perfectly. It took seven years, she listened to us. »
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Michèle Gérin, in 2022, in front of pleasure boats on the shores of Lake Massawippi
We don’t know if this will solve the problem. Here, on Lake Massawippi, there are five communities. Will they manage to get along?
Michèle Gérin, former general director of the Bleu Massawippi association
Ms Gérin also fears that in the event of a change of government – the Federal Liberals are in the minority – everything could change.
satisfaction of the mayors
Joé Deslauriers, mayor of Saint-Donat and president of the UMQ caucus of local communities, is satisfied that the ministers Marie-Claude Bibeau and Pablo Rodriguez (for transport) “have taken into account the complaints and recognized the role of the nearby governments.” [les municipalités] “, in this file.
Isn’t there a risk of small and large disputes at community gatherings in the future between those who want to use personal watercraft and wakeboards and residents who are concerned about the health of their lake or demanding more peace and quiet?
Mr Deslauriers says the solution will be achieved through moderate positions.
There can be no question of a “ban on personal watercraft” but rather of regulation, undoubtedly, yes, in certain places.
Because the Canadian government’s decision this week “is not a carte blanche for municipalities” who have to do their homework and prove that restrictions are really necessary, if that is the case.
“The Constitution recognizes the right to navigate waters,” says Mr. Deslauriers.
He explains that in Saint-Donat, where he is mayor, motorboats still face fees of $450 per season, while electric boats have free access to the surrounding lakes.
And that wasn’t disputed? “Yes, but we won in court. Because on the day something happens to the lake, it wouldn’t be fair if the work to be carried out were the sole responsibility of the residents and those who used it didn’t have to pay anything. »
Some municipalities charge hundreds of dollars for access for a single day, Mr. Deslauriers says, adding that such cases end up in court.
NAUTIQUE QUÉBEC could not be reached for comment.