Let us recall that 98% of Québec’s waterways are private or inaccessible. In North Hatley, almost every access point to Lake Massawippi — as well as most nautical activities — is directly or indirectly controlled by the municipality:

  • wash station
  • boat-launch permits
  • boat ramp
  • marina dock rentals
  • marina boat rentals
  • municipal beach
  • municipal dock
  • Parc de la Rivière
  • Dreamland Park
  • pedestrian bridge

On top of that, extensive water-related activities (swimming, marinas, boat rentals, etc.) are only permitted in three zones: P-8 (municipal dock), P-9 (Pleasant View Beach) and C-9, which is… more than one kilometre from the lake. Zones P-8 and P-9 are under municipal management.

Finally, the only remaining section of free public shoreline — located at Lobanaki Park — and not managed by the municipality, was closed last spring to “protect the riparian buffer.”


Municipality vs. private enterprise: two opposing logics

Unlike a private business whose purpose is to generate profit, a municipality has a fundamental obligation to serve the public interest. When revenue generation becomes the priority at the expense of accessibility, the municipality distances itself from its core mission.

This is precisely what concerns me: ensuring lake access for everyone, not only shoreline property owners.

In fact, enhancing landscape value and improving public access to Lake Massawippi are among the key objectives of the new Master Plan (Objective 2.3).


When revenue comes first

If a municipality prioritizes generating revenue over improving services to residents, public access to the lake inevitably becomes secondary.

Across the entire Lake Massawippi, to my knowledge, only one company is authorized to rent both motorized and non-motorized boats: Location des Quatre Lacs.

In 2024, this company obtained — through a call for tenders — the contract to operate the North Hatley marina for $10,000. According to the minutes of July 8, 2024 (2024-07-08.16), they were the only bidder, as confirmed during the question period at the end of the document. Strangely, I have never been able to access any information about this tender process, despite repeated requests to the municipal administration.


Consequences of a restricted market


A lake under municipal control

In such a context, every additional barrier to public access becomes significant. With the current rules, it is reasonable to fear that, in the coming years, only waterfront property owners will still be able to fully enjoy Lake Massawippi.

Otherwise, access will come at a steep price, effectively reserving the lake for a privileged portion of the population. Note that non-residents must already pay $10 per adult to access North Hatley’s public beach. Also, a non-resident who does not have a mooring spot on the lake cannot obtain a boat-launch vignette. They must therefore pay $60 for each launch. Fortunately, they can rent a dock at the marina — which is now managed by the municipality.


A worrying trend

Unless things change, the cost of accessing the lake will continue to rise, leaving the resource accessible only to a privileged few. Again, non-citizens already pay $10 per adult for beach access, and without a mooring spot they cannot obtain a vignette and needs to pay 60$ per trip — though they may rent a dock at the marina, another source of municipal revenue.

The real question is whether North Hatley residents are willing to sacrifice some of their tranquility in order to facilitate broader access to Lake Massawippi. Let’s not forget: the lake belongs to everyone… but access must be possible.

On that note, food for thought.

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