Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park Expansion Project
Public consultations
About the project
The project involves expanding the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park to help protect a larger part of the St. Lawrence Estuary. The project was presented at public consultations that took place from October 21 to December 13, 2024.
Summary of participation
Five consultations were held in municipalities located in proximity to the targeted expansion area. Individuals who wished to express their opinions on the expansion project could do so by completing an online survey or submitting a brief. Organizations were encouraged to express their position by submitting a brief.
346 participants at information booths
Consultations were held in Rimouski (Le Bic), Rivière-du-Loup, Kamouraska, Saint-Irénée and Les Escoumins. Participants were able to visit booths at their own leisure and discuss various aspects of the project according to their own areas of interest.
229 participants at information sessions
At the information sessions that followed the booths, Marine Park staff received a total of 121 questions and comments.
776 surveys completed
Nearly all survey respondents, i.e. approximately 96%, were from Quebec. Just under half of all respondents reside in one of the eight RCMs concerned by the expansion project.
45 briefs submitted
Of the 45 briefs received expressing their authors’ positions on the project, 13 were submitted by individuals and 32 were sent by various types of organizations.
Key findings
The viewpoints expressed in the surveys and briefs as well as the opinions voiced at the consultations are summarized in the public consultations report. This report presents four main findings.
1. The expansion project enjoys strong consensus and there is robust support for the proposed boundaries of the enlargement.
Expansion of the Marine Park is viewed as an effective way to afford enhanced protection to marine ecosystems. Connecting the two shores of the estuary and including the beluga’s entire critical habitat were well received. Most of the suggested modifications entail further enlarging the proposed territory.
2. The proposed commitments meet the expectations of the local communities.
The project is seen as a chance to hone scientific knowledge on the marine environment. Consultation and partnerships should be maintained and strengthened, and a large number of organizations have expressed an interest in partnering with the Marine Park. Whether it be in the fields of tourism, education or science, Marine Park managers are encouraged to collaborate with organizations that are currently active in the region. The need for the Marine Park team to be present in the region and engaged with local communities was also emphasized.
The expansion of the Marine Park is seen as an opportunity to further promote discovery activities related to the St. Lawrence, in addition to encouraging sustainable tourism. Numerous proposals were made to enhance the Discovery Network. In order to ensure equitable representation of the territory, it is considered necessary to add representatives from different backgrounds to Marine Park governance.
3. Various concerns were raised and concrete protection measures are called for.
Maritime traffic was a considerable source of concern, with many participants deploring its intensity as well as the speed, noise levels and environmental impacts of operating vessels. This is particularly the case for whale-watching cruises and the shipping industry, which were the targets of several criticisms. Another strongly expressed concern is water quality in the estuary. Democratizing access to the river was also often mentioned. In order to ensure the protection of the expanded Marine Park, concrete and effective measures are expected.
While some participants consider existing conservation tools relevant, others would like to see stricter regulations, including speed limits. Some regulations are viewed as an infringement of individual freedoms, particularly the ban on personal watercraft in the Kamouraska sector.
4. Adequate funding and investments are anticipated.
The importance of significant and recurrent additional funding for managing activities in the expanded Marine Park was emphasized. Given the scale of the expansion, some participants indicated that the marine protected area risks losing its credibility if funding is insufficient. Additionally, investments are anticipated within local communities as well as by certain organizations that are likely to support the Marine Park in its mandate.
Participants generally see positive economic benefits, though there is also concern that the project could hamper economic development. Some participants call for a balance between protecting ecosystems and economic activities associated with the river.
Expansion Area
The planned expansion is an opportunity to:
Promote discovery and educational activities related to the St. Lawrence River
Increase protection for belugas, rorquals and coastal herbaceous areas
Support the maintenance and development of a sustainable tourism offering for the St. Lawrence
To learn more about the project
Find out more about the proposed territory, the conservation tools and the Marine park managers’ commitments for the expanded Marine Park.
Project schedule
Start of project
—
Spring 2023
Announcement of the joint intention to undertake steps to expand the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park.
Targeted consultations
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Fall 2023 – Summer 2024
The expansion project has been presented to representatives of approximately 230 organizations as part of targeted consultations. These discussions have led to a proposed configuration for the expanded Marine Park.
Public consultations
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Fall 2024
Public consultations were held virtually and in-person from October 21 to December 13.
Publication of public consultations report and ministers’ announcement
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Winter 2025
The public consultations report indicates that there was strong endorsement for protecting a larger swath of the estuary. There was very strong support for the proposed expansion area. The governments of Canada and Quebec have announced their intention to expand the marine park.
Marine Park Expansion
—
2025
The Marine Park will be officially expanded after one decree issued by the Quebec Council of Ministers and another decree issued by the Governor in Council of Canada enter into force.
About the Marine Park
The Marine Park is a marine protected area that was established in 1998. It enhances the protection of ecosystems for conservation purposes while promoting its use for educational, recreational and scientific purposes.
It is managed by Parks Canada, the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec (MELCCFP) and the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq).
Noteworthy Achievements
The creation and continuous involvement of the Marine Park coordination committee
Unique to the Marine Park, the coordination committee is an entity that involves regional players in the governance of the marine protected area. Since it was first established in 1996, the committee has held 107 meetings in which approximately 100 members from various backgrounds have participated over the years. Over the years, the involvement and support of the coordination committee have been a determining factor in the Marine Park’s achievements.
A network of discovery activities
Shortly after the Marine Park was created, its managers teamed up with local players to offer on- and offshore discovery activities. Today, thanks to these partnerships, a wide array of activities are available to visitors and local communities to encourage them to discover the natural and cultural treasures of the Marine Park. Every year, an estimated one million people visit the waters and shores of the Marine Park. Through their communications tools, Parks Canada and Sépaq contribute to the promotion of these recreational activities and tourism attractions.
Regulations for the Marine Park
In 2002, the Marine Activities in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park Regulations (MAR) were adopted. Established in collaboration with regional stakeholders and users, this is one of the Marine Park’s most important conservation tools. The MAR govern water activities with the aim of bolstering the protection of marine wildlife. Fifteen years after it was adopted, this conservation tool was revised in 2017 in order to better protect marine ecosystems in general and the St. Lawrence beluga in particular.
Scientific monitoring for heightened protection
Long before the Marine Park was created, researchers were drawn to these waters on account of their rich and unique ecosystems. The establishment of the Marine Park was a catalyst for scientific research, which became one of the key elements in its management. The findings obtained through scientific monitoring serve as a basis for assessing the state of health of the Marine Park, better understanding its ecosystems and implementing suitable protection measures.
