For about two months out of the year, Ralph Josey must rely on his personal boat to transport large items from his home in Entry Island up to Cap-aux-Meules in Quebec’s Magdalen islands.
As of Sunday, the small island of about 60 permanent residents will be without its permanent ferry, the MV Ivan-Quinn, as it undergoes annual maintenance.
The technical shutdown from Sept. 1 to Oct. 19 means residents won’t be able to have trash pickup, ambulatory services or get their cars or big appliances to the mainland.
“I mean right now if my vehicle breaks down I’m stuck,” said Josey.
“We have our own boats … But why should we have to go through the expense of sailing to the main island?”
Josey, who has lived there for nearly six decades, is among those calling for solutions or compensation.
“It’s too long for a shutdown.… That’s our highway. That’s the only route we have off Entry,” said Josey, pointing to the difficulties the maintenance period causes for the island’s seniors.
MV Ivan-Quinn will be out for service for seven weeks. CTMA, the company that operates the ferry, is trying to find mitigation measures. (Isabelle Larose/Radio-Canada)
“Once you got something, it’s hard to take it away. And like years ago, we did live without that. But it’s 2024 now.”
The privately owned replacement vessel, the MV Béatrice-Hubert, only has capacity for pedestrians.
Pauline Boudreau, who owns a general store on Entry Island, says replenishing her shelves will be more challenging.
“If they got no fridge, they got no freezer. Like I mean, what do you do?” said Boudreau.
“It’s more hassle for us.”
Joël Arseneau, MNA for the Magdalen Islands, says the needs of Entry Island residents are poorly served and lacking equity.
He’s reiterating his request to the Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) for regular service.
Ralph Josey says the island is home to about 60 residents in the fall and winter, but the population doubles in the summer. (Isabelle Larose/Radio-Canada)
“I think it’s time for the STQ to come into the 21st century and offer local residents a transitional service, compensation or mitigation measures to maintain essential services,” said Arseneau.
“The Béatrice-Hubert is really the minimum service for people who shouldn’t be treated like second-class citizens.”
Quebec’s ferry corporation says it’s aware the disruptions have an impact on Entry Island residents. But the STQ says the maintenance work is a requirement by Transport Canada and necessary in order to offer a reliable service during the rest of the year.
The STQ says a warning was sent out in May to give passengers time to make arrangements.
In an emailed statement, it says the STQ is working with CTMA, the company that operates the ferry, to find mitigation measures which include offering a ferry for larger merchandise or essential goods every two weeks.