The status quo on Cime Aventures ’use of the Bonaventure River will remain in effect for at least one summer, or longer. Superior Court hearings on the dispute between Cime Aventures and the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks (MFFP) will not take place until the spring of 2023.
The recreational tourism company is challenging in court the trade agreement signed in Quebec that limited, for the summer of 2021, the number of boats it can accept on the Bonaventure River.
Three days of hearings are scheduled at the Montreal courthouse, April 4, 5 and 6, 2023.
The custody order issued by Judge Danielle Turcotte on July 22, which suspended the settlement to 2021 until the merits issue is resolved, will still be valid this summer.
The chairman of the board of directors of ZEC of the river Bonaventure, André Hébert, was not surprised at the delays incurred.
” Of course, I didn’t expect to have a court date this coming summer. I’m looking forward to more by the end of the year, but hey, let’s face it. “
According to André Hébert, the custody order could also take effect for part of the summer of 2023.
In his opinion, it is really unlikely to judge before the summer season begins. Judgment will fall in a few weeks. [les audiences] and there is a time limit for appeal. It may fall in the middle of the seasonhe guessed.
Mr. Hébert reminded that a new agreement needs to be negotiated between Cime Aventures and the MFFP if the judge decides in favor of Quebec in this dispute.
The company must fully hold a trade agreement for its activities on the river every summer. Therefore, he will have to take a new one if the custody order no longer applies.
Success for Cime Aventures at the conclusion of legal proceedings will question Quebec’s authority to enter into such contracts. The company contends that the provincial government allocates a federal jurisdiction, the navigation.
What does this mean?
Under the custody order, the more permissible terms of the 2020 agreement will apply until judgment is rendered in this case.
Therefore, Bonaventure’s recreational tourism business could continue to enter 260 boats into the river daily, compared to the 220 limit that would be imposed on it before legal proceedings.
In addition, the number of customers admitted to the very popular sector between the Malin rapids and the Cime Aventures base is set at 125 per day. The 2021 agreement originally restricted this number to 20 in the low season and 45 in the high season.
the MFFP also confirmed to Radio-Canada that other proceedings being conducted on the Bonaventure River, which are between Camp Bonaventure and the Le Malin company, have had no impact on Cime Aventures ’activities.
André Hébert explained that the situation expected this summer should be similar to that experienced in 2021 in terms of Bonaventure River use. He agrees that the relationship between the different organizations working on the river is not all in good shape, however.
We will do like last year, really. Everyone did a little, as they thought they were doing well, each on their own, but surely there were overflowinglaunched the president.
It is stated that the Atlantic salmon fishery will open at 1eh next June, Mr. Hébert expects many tourists to reunite on the very famous river. You have to be vigilanthe says, determining that it is about the protection of the waterway.
Integration problems have been noticed between different users on the mythical river over the years. However, the situation worsened in the summer of 2020.
In search of dialogue
Bonaventure mayor Roch Audet, believes that parties concerned about the fate of the Bonaventure River, i.e., stakeholders who considered cohabitation rules prior to the dispute, would do well to sit together as soon as possible. immediately.
Just because we have the status quo doesn’t mean we can’t change or improve it. From my perspective, we can look at how to do that and […] be sure to get back in balance for the proper management of the Bonaventure riverreasoning of choice.
Since the dispute is currently in court, Cime Aventures does not wish to give an interview in this case. Its general manager. Élodie Brideau, however, sent a written statement via email to Radio-Canada.
As last year, we want to continue to offer users a quality river experience that is safe and environmentally friendly. We also aim to maintain access to the Bonaventure River for everyone, and everyone will make the necessary efforts to ensure healthy living on the river.can we read there.
Source: Radio-Canada
