Transport Committee on Oct. 31st, 2024

[Denise Cloutier]

The vessel operation restriction regulations are the key regulations.

They cover a number of factors, including speed. One of the things municipalities can apply to restrict is speed. However, speed isn't really a critical factor when it comes to the effects caused by wake boats, for instance. A wake boat can travel 10 kilometres an hour but still cause a four-foot wave. That's pretty major.

The regulations don't seem to have kept pace with the new technologies boat manufacturers are coming out with. The regulations need to take into account not just speed, but also the impact of boats, including stirring up sediment when ballasts are engaged.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Thank you.

Stéphane Lauzon can have the rest of my time.

[Stéphane Lauzon, Liberal, Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC]

Thank you.

Mr. Collard, you were quite compelling when you were telling us about the things you're seeing in your area—more marinas, more boats and bigger motors. You also talked about the rise in water sports.

I know you haven't been in charge of your association's public relations long, but I would like to know whether the data you provided are based on studies or a conclusion your organization came to.

[Raynald Collard]

We didn't do any studies on the situations you mentioned, but as people who live along the river, we are seeing those things.

Either Université du Québec à Montréal or Université de Montréal did a study on lake Memphrémagog, and we used it for our purposes. That's where the 300‑metre distance from the shore comes from. However, the Richelieu River is only 200 metres wide, so people shouldn't be allowed to use their wakeboards on the river, but they do.

[Stéphane Lauzon, Liberal, Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC]

I understand that, Mr. Collard, but the committee would like you to send it information that really proves what you're experiencing. I'm not sure what you can do in terms of getting back to us with some documentation.

In addition, do you have any data showing the effects climate change is having in your area? Things like more storms, more wind and more shoreline erosion come to mind. Is that aspect taken into account?

Mr. Collard can answer first, followed by Ms. Cloutier and Ms. Ramacieri.

Do you have any evidence pertaining to the environment?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Philip Lawrence]

Please answer in 30 seconds.

[Raynald Collard]

The data we have are from our observations. I can give you the example of personal watercraft that frequent shoals. At home, I've seen a personal watercraft driver on several occasions having fun on the shoals, apparently to see how the buoys came out behind his watercraft. It was incredible. He was putting—

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Philip Lawrence]

Perhaps you could wrap up there.

[Stéphane Lauzon, Liberal, Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Collard. We can see that your data come from your observations.

If it were possible to obtain studies from certain organizations, we would be grateful.

Thank you.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Philip Lawrence]

Thank you very much.

We return to the Bloc Québécois.

Mr. Barsalou-Duval, go ahead, please.

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

At the last meeting, one of my colleagues wanted to ask a question that we didn't have time to address. I would therefore like to put it to all the organizations here today.

According to the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations, or VORR, before applying for a restriction by regulation, a non-regulatory approach must be attempted. That's one of the reasons why the process takes so long, because you also have to hold consultations and document the file.

In your experience, have there been cases where a non-regulatory approach has been so successful that it was no longer necessary to apply for a restriction afterwards?

My question is for Ms. Ramacieri first.

[Constance Ramacieri]

This gives me the opportunity to say that, as part of my work as a city councillor, I'm in the process of submitting an application under the VORR for Fitch Bay on Lake Memphremagog. The MCI representative probably told you about it last Tuesday. For years now, we've been trying to raise awareness so people go wakeboarding elsewhere, but it doesn't matter. We can put up all the signs—

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Thank you. I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I don't have much time.

What about you, Ms. Cloutier?

[Denise Cloutier]

We've studied the process and are very familiar with it, since we're now offering municipalities assistance in moving their files forward. There is indeed—I'm sorry, I lost track. What was the question again?

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

I was asking if you know of any non-regulatory approaches that have been successful.

[Denise Cloutier]

In particular, we have one particular client, the Saint-Hubert borough, that has already been going through this whole process for two or three years. So we are integrating this process aimed at raising citizens' awareness. It works, but it doesn't work enough. However, we want to make the results permanent.

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Mr. Collard, in your opinion, can the non-regulatory approach replace regulations?

[Raynald Collard]

There's the information component, of course. For months, I've been browsing Facebook pages to inform people from Sorel to Lacolle about the effects of boats on shoals and shorelines, for example. Be that as it may, I believe much more in the enforcement of regulations. Yes, oversight will be required.

I would like to add something. Earlier, we asked what could be done without it costing a fortune—

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Philip Lawrence]

Perhaps you could wrap up there, Mr. Collard.

[Raynald Collard]

In fact, the model exists. That happened at the federal level in December 2023. You just have to take that model and apply it.

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Thank you.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Philip Lawrence]

Thank you, Mr. Collard.

Next is Ms. Dance for two minutes and 30 seconds.

[Leila Dance, NDP, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

I want to go back a bit. I'm curious about the licensing.

There were talks about changing, I want to call it driver's ed, that sort of thing. Are there other jurisdictions that have the more detailed program that you guys are thinking of implementing? If so, are they seeing the results you are hoping to achieve?

[Denise Cloutier]

To my knowledge, that process doesn't exist elsewhere. All I know is that the boating industry strongly resists the fact that the pleasure craft operator card, in other words, the licence, is valid for life. They would prefer that it be limited to five years. I know that for a fact.

I don't know of any other place where a code like the one we're proposing is applied. Nevertheless, a mandatory code works for the operation of vehicles on the roads, so why wouldn't there be such a code for the operation of boats on our lakes, which need to be protected? People aren't boating on asphalt, but on a living aquatic environment. Boat drivers boat on it as if it were a paved road, but it is indeed aquatic life.

[Raynald Collard]

May I add something?