Une étrange policy

A policy brought in by the RÉgie de l'Énergie in Quebec-that doesn't allow motorhomes onboard its ferries to carry propane tanks larger than 65 litres-doesn't make a lick of sense.

Full or empty, a 74-lb tank is the maximum capacity allowed.

So, a 75-lb tank is dangerous and a 74-lb tank is not?

It's very strange that a news release on this 'new' policy is practically impossible to find. What's even stranger is, people in Labrador West have been booking ferries out of Godbout and Baie-Comeau for their motorhomes (over the last month or so) and no one (on the booking end) is even asking clients from Labrador what size propane tank their RVs are equipped with or bothering to even make mention of this 'new' policy.

It is also incredibly odd that, when speaking with a spokesperson for SociÉtÉ des traversiers du QuÉbec, the Aurora was told this policy came into effect last September (2009) yet, the editor of the Aurora came across the St. Lawrence River via ferry (to Saint-Simeon) with a 100-lb propane tank in a motorhome in October of last year. No one looked at the tank, inquired on the capacity of the tank nor was there any notification of a new policy--and this was a month after the SociÉtÉ des traversiers du QuÉbec claims the policy came into effect.

When it comes to the majority of motorhomes that use the Quebec ferries to cross the St. Lawrence, it's a safe bet the lion's share comes from Labrador West.

The mining companies, for years, have been furnishing their employees with train passes to send their RVs to Sept-Îles where many people either drive or fly down, collect their motorhomes and head on to the boat docks-in either Godbout or Baie-Comeau-enroute to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland or wherever their vacation plans take them.

Suddenly there is a restriction, which is probably the best-kept secret Quebec has kept from people in this province in years.

It would be interesting to see if it's only motorhomes with Newfoundland and Labrador license plates that get the boot off the Quebec ferries this summer.

It may be a paranoid suspicion, born out of the nasty relationship the premier of this province has with the RÉgie de l'Énergie, but it seems the people of Labrador will be inconvenienced most by this and it's enough for one to wonder, 'why now?'.

Surely it has to be coincidence; no governing body would be that petty to get back at a province.

But in the meantime, the years of patronage to that ferry service, from the people of Labrador seems to mean very little. An 80-lb tank this year suddenly is dangerous, but seven or eight months ago it was okay.

The Aurora contacted Marine Atlantic inquiring about any policies they might have implemented for propane tanks, and there are no new policies-only the standing policy of having to turn off propane tanks before embarking.

Isn't it odd that Transport Canada doesn't identify the same dangers as Quebec and hasn't made it a national transportation policy, if the size of the tanks truly poses such a risk?

Whatever the reason for this Quebec-based policy, it will serve as a great hassle for many who exceed this new capacity maximum and who will be forced to drive up to Quebec City to cross the Pont Pierre-Laporte Bridge in order to drive to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

That bridge can be a daunting option for many drivers who are not familiar with the route or the high volumes of traffic on it.

An average of 90,000 vehicles use the six traffic lanes on that bridge every day and that traffic volume may be fine for those operating a car or pickup; a 30 (plus)-foot motorhome, however, with possibly another vehicle in tow, makes it a not-so-comfortable option for many drivers.

Maybe it boils down to Quebec feeling no obligation whatsoever to their Newfoundland and Labrador customers and that is why no one saw fit to send a press release or to provide any notification to their customers outside la belle province

It's a common courtesy that the ferry service's administration mustn't feel it owes this province. How difficult can it be to add that little pertinent piece of information to the conversation when someone is making a booking? Getting turned away at the dock is certainly not a good way to learn about this 'new' policy.

Shame on the SociÉtÉ des traversiers du QuÉbec for not being a little bit more accommodating to its customers, even if they are the dreaded English-speaking ones, their fees are paid in Canadian dollars just like Quebeckers' fees.

The Aurora has put in a request to Labrador MP Todd Russell to check into this very quiet change in marine transportation policy. This issue offers a fine opportunity for the MP to tap some of the Quebec MPs on the shoulders and ask them what the devil is going on with this policy and why no one thought there might be an obligation to let Labradorians, his constituents, know about it.

mstewart@theaurora.ca