Étienne Francis complains that on rainy days it is not interesting to empty the mobile home in the Maison du Tourisme de Sept-Îles. (Photo courtesy)
“Caravanning tourists never stay long in Sept-Îles, which is the worst place in Canada to empty a sewage tank.” Candide Fortin and Étienne Francis, who travel cross-country caravanning in retirement, often return to Sept-Îles and return to the north coast to visit family, but unfortunately find inadequate services.
The only place where these two gray and black water tanks can be emptied and cleaned in Sept-Îles is the Maison du Tourisme. The problem, according to Étienne Francis, is that when you take out a hose to clean it, it happens on gravel. The water stops. On a heavily rainy day like yesterday, “chaos ensue without speed.”
Interview with Étienne Francis, owner of a recreational caravanning vehicle
“To get our vehicles dry, you would need some kind of tank and a system. The tourism industry is losing spin-offs. “People travel faster to Baie-Comeau or Havre-Saint-Pierre,” says Étienne Francis.
Sept-Îles dismissive
Mr Francis submitted a written complaint to the mayor of Sept-Îles two years ago. General manager Patrick Gwilliam told him at the time that the situation would be rectified. He is disappointed that nothing has been done. He heard several people in the RV complaining about the rainy weather over the past few days.
Étienne Francis, retired and author of several books, remarks that Minganie welcomes visitors in the caravan-car in a friendlier way. Even its small home village of Rivière-au-Tonnerre offers better facilities than Sept-Îles.
Étienne Francis and Candide Fortin often return to Sept-Îles even though their motorhome doesn’t provide the right service. (Photo Jean St-Pierre, Macotenord.com)
Caravanning owners also have trouble getting propane supplies in Sept-Îles. A single private supplier is equipped to fill RV cylinders. “The problem is that the service is not available on Tuesdays and the company is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s embarrassing in a city like Sept-Îles!” says Étienne Francis.