Rivière-du-Loup Ferry Powers and Land Rights

Summary#

This private bill gives the City of Rivière‑du‑Loup temporary, special powers tied to the future of its ferry link across the St. Lawrence River. The goal is to help the city gather full information, study whether to keep the ferry in Rivière‑du‑Loup, and protect key waterfront lands linked to the ferry.

• The city can order a study on keeping the ferry link and demand documents from Quebec public bodies, including internal files about any plan to move the ferry.
• The city clerk can run this study with inquiry‑style powers to require documents and testimony (but cannot jail anyone).
• Confidentiality deals cannot be used to block sharing documents with the city; some sensitive third‑party details may be removed; lawyer/notary privilege still applies.
• Documents the city gets for this study will not be open to the public through access‑to‑information requests.
• The city may register a right of first refusal (preemption) for up to 50 years on three specific waterfront lots near the ferry; this right still applies even if the land is split or merged and takes priority over other similar rights.
• These powers end on January 1, 2032. Any preemption rights registered before then stay valid until they expire or the city gives them up.

What it means for you#

• Residents of Rivière‑du‑Loup

  • The city will have stronger tools to get answers about ferry plans, including from the provincial ferry agency (Société des traversiers du Québec).
  • Not all of the documents the city obtains will be public, so you may see summaries rather than the full files.
  • The study could shape whether the ferry stays in Rivière‑du‑Loup.

• Ferry users and visitors

  • No immediate change to the ferry. This aims to inform decisions and strengthen the city’s position if there are proposals to move the service.

• Local businesses

  • More certainty that the city can fully review any plan to move the ferry and argue to keep it, which matters for tourism and trade.
  • If your business depends on land near the ferry, note the city’s new right of first refusal could affect future property deals.

• Owners of the affected waterfront lots

  • If you decide to sell, you must first offer the property to the city on the same terms (right of first refusal), for a period set by the city up to 50 years.
  • This right still applies even if the lots are subdivided or combined.

• Contractors and organizations dealing with public bodies on the ferry file

  • You may see your communications and proposals shared with the city, even if there were confidentiality clauses with a public body. Some sensitive third‑party information can be removed. Legal privilege for lawyers and notaries remains.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Ensures the city can see the full picture—plans, studies, and internal communications—before any decision to move the ferry.
• Protects the community’s economic, cultural, and social ties to the ferry by giving the city a stronger say.
• Lets the city secure key waterfront lands tied to the ferry through a long‑term right of first refusal.
• Brings more rigor and transparency to decision‑making at city hall, using inquiry‑style powers.
• The powers are temporary and targeted, with clear end dates.

Opponents' View#

• Gives unusual powers to one city to obtain internal government documents, which could strain relations with provincial bodies.
• Makes documents gathered by the city unavailable through public access requests, reducing transparency for residents.
• Could increase legal and administrative work for public bodies and private firms involved in ferry planning.
• The preemption right may complicate or deter property sales and could affect land values near the ferry.
• Potential costs to taxpayers if the city uses its right of first refusal to buy expensive waterfront land, with no clear price cap in the bill.