Bill 203: An Act to grant certain temporary powers to Ville de Rivière-du-Loup

The businesses most directly affected are those in and around Rivière-du-Loup that depend on the ferry crossing to the north shore — think tourism operators, freight haulers, fishing outfitters, and hospitality businesses whose customers or supply chains rely on that St. Lawrence crossing. Ferry-adjacent commercial property owners on the three designated lots face potential pre-emption by the city for up to 50 years, meaning the city could step in and purchase those properties if they come up for sale. Businesses that submitted responses to the Société des Traversiers du Québec's interest call (STQ-AI-2024-01) should be aware that their submissions, including commercially sensitive documents, may be disclosed to the city despite confidentiality agreements with public bodies. The impact is concentrated in the lower St. Lawrence region of Quebec, touching a mix of small local operators and larger transport or infrastructure companies that had a stake in the ferry relocation process.