Nearly all water bodies in Quebec, including lakes and rivers, are hard to reach.
Shorelines of Quebec's Water Bodies: Accessmore Scant Than Ever
In today's landscape, the world of public access to Quebec's lakes and rivers teeters on the brink of scarcity. A groundbreaking study by a duo of researchers reveals that an astounding 98% of Quebec's water body shorelines are inaccessible or privatized.
Though the findings remain incomplete, with 92 municipalities across 15 administrative regions of Quebec already surveyed, the researchers are confident in their assertions. Sébastien Rioux, one of the researchers contributing to this study, affirms, "even in its incomplete state, these results are self-explanatory."
Nearly 90% of the water bodies' shorelines are enveloped by private land, effectively barring the public. Remaining accessible stretches are often impeded by factors such as bridges, boat ramps, wastewater treatment plants, or other infrastructure that make accessing the water difficult, if not impossible. In essence, a staggering 98% of the assessed shoreline strips are virtually closed to the general public.
In essence, access to water bodies in central Quebec regions is "almost non-existent," as Rioux suggests. Despite this, the Quebec Civil Code guarantees all citizens the right to circulate on water bodies, "provided it is done legally."
The study avoids counting the Nord-du-Quebec region and national parks. Rodolphe Gonzales, the second author of the study, explains their reasoning: "National parks are expensive and not easily accessible for most people. A hour-and-a-half drive is not exactly accessible for everyone."
The researchers have managed to obtain all the shoreline data for Quebec's municipalities and are on the cusp of publishing a comprehensive portrayal of Quebec's water body access.
Threatening the Culture of Water
The erosion of the right to access water bodies has been ongoing for decades. Researchers warned as early as the 1970s about shorelines being concreted and privatized. The 2022 study, using municipal cadastre and property evaluation, is the first of its kind to map the erosion of the right of access to water.
"The first step to losing something is losing it psychologically," argues Sébastien Rioux. "Water belongs to the public, it's our collective heritage. But there's a kind of dispossession."
Exploring the details of the maps reveals that some cities have municipal beaches but restrict public access, a legal gray area according to the researchers. This, along with other restrictions, poses a threat to the "water culture" in a territory abundant with water bodies.
"We're on an island in Montreal without realizing it," explains Mr. Gonzales. "However, there are shining examples of shorelines being returned to the public, such as the Samuel-De Champlain Promenade in Quebec."
Industrial sites bordering rivers have played a role in the conversion of these shoreline strips, according to Rioux. Although it's challenging to reverse this trend when shorelines are broken down into numerous small residential or commercial plots, the researchers maintain hope for improvement in the balance between public access and private ownership.
Throughout history, boundaries between the public and bodies of water were not as impermeable. Until the mid-19th century, all shorelines in Quebec were required to be free for several meters due to the "towing right" (droit de halage). This strip of land was essential for navigators who wanted to haul their vessels from the shore. However, this right was abolished around 1850 in favor of an agricultural law.
This research is backed by the Local Journalism Initiative, sponsored by the Government of Canada.
A Closer Look
For those interested in sport fishing, public access is regulated through specific fishing zones, periods, and rules enforced by the Quebec government. These regulations delineate fishing seasons, permissible species, and catch limits to promote sustainable practices[1][4]. While the rules set boundaries for resource usage, they serve a broader aim of balancing recreational activities, conservation, and protection of the environment.
Historically, public access to Quebec’s water bodies has gained more regulatory oversight over time. For instance, certain rivers, such as the Magpie River in Côte-Nord, have garnered special recognition—it was legally granted personhood status by local Indigenous Councils and municipalities in 2021, marking a shift towards viewing waterways as living entities rather than just resources for exploitation[2].
When it comes to Canada and its provinces, such as Quebec, there is an increasing desire to redefine water protections. Initiatives like proposed U.S. bills seeking to prevent water ownership and privatization may influence policies on water access and management across borders, including the Great Lakes shared by Ontario and U.S. states[2]. These movements could shape Quebec’s policies on water access and conservation.
Moreover, environmental protections regularly trigger access restrictions to protect vulnerable ecosystems, such as seasonal vessel restrictions in parts of the Gulf of St. Lawrence to shield endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale[5]. These restrictions highlight the role of conservation priorities in limiting access to aquatic environments.
Together, these factors paint a picture of a constantly changing landscape where the balance between public access to Quebec's lakes and rivers and conservation objectives evolves amid changing cultural and legal trends.
- The researchers' study indicates that the government of Quebec needs to address the issue of inaccessible shorelines, as nearly 98% of the assessed water body shorelines are virtually closed to the general public.
- The lack of public access to water bodies threatens the cultural values surrounding water in Quebec, particularly in light of the findings that show the majority of water body shorelines are enveloped by private land.
- Quebec's Civil Code guarantees citizens the right to circulate on water bodies legally, but in practice, this right is often impeded by various factors like bridges, boat ramps, and wastewater treatment plants.
- Researchers argue that the gradual loss of access to water bodies starts with losing it psychologically, implying that the public's connection to water is being eroded through the privatization of shorelines.
- To promote sustainable practices in sport fishing, the Quebec government regulates public access through specific fishing zones, periods, and rules that balance recreational activities, conservation, and environmental protection.
- Initiatives seeking to redefine water protections and prevent water privatization in places like the United States could potentially influence Quebec’s policies on water access and conservation, especially regarding significant water bodies like the Great Lakes.
