I may be raising more questions than providing answers…
I grew up with the naive impression that I hold a fundamental right of access to public lands. Courtesy towards other users and common sense should rule an unregulated activity such as canoeing. Meeting people in the wood was always a good experience and seemed to confirm my point of view.
May 2011 I ran a river that flows accross several ZEC and saw something puzzling. On the river side a sign was saying : ZEC XYZ Enregistrement obligatoire Amende de 250$ (ZEC XYZ Mandatory registration Fine 250$).
Another trip September 2011 led to me seriously question the assumed unregulated nature of canoeing public lands. This time we saw several signs from fishing/hunting lodges : Pouvoirie XYZ – Droit exclusif chasse et pêche (Outfitter XYZ – Exclusive fishing and hunting rights). We met a few clients and the experience was new for us. They were not returning our greetings and seemed rather surprised to see another party. At one point we paddle past a fishing lodge. A motor boat quickly ran after us. An employee told us that we entered the territory of an outfitter with exclusive rights. We manage to explain that we are canoe camping and we do not fish nor hunt. He asked for our itinary and let us go after warning us not to camp within the lodge territory.
Back home I made some research about ZECs and outfitters…
Canoeing ZEC and outfiters territories:
ZEC with established canoe route (Example : Kipawa)
- You need to register
- You need to pay the fees for using the established canoe route
ZEC with no established canoe route
- You need to register
Outfitter with exclusive rights
-You need to register
Outfitter without exclusive rights
-Nothing to do
Other considerations
-I have not researched fishing in such territories.
-There is a fee for using a road with a motorized vehicule in a ZEC.
-Official registration should be done at ZEC/Outfitter office. This can be very tricky from a canoe. Try registering by phone or email.
Links
http://www.zecquebec.comhttp://www.pourvoiries.comhttp://www.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/faune/territoires/pourvoirie.jspIf interested I can give references to legal documentation (1 law sets the framework and 2 by-laws provide details) but those with the most pertaining information are only available in French since they are by-laws.
All in all, you can probably still go a long way with courtesy, common sense and good camping ethics. You are an ambassador of the canoeing community.
Bear in mind that fishing and hunting are important activities in those regions.
Ignorance of the law is no excuse in Court… But it may work in the woods.
Arguing in French may be an asset… But not understanding a word of French may work too.
Only a Court can fine you… Not a ZEC or provider representative. They need to report you to the police (Sureté du Québec) Police will send a report to the Crown attorney of the district. An assesment of the possibility to get a result will be made before a trial is decided… In other words, this is a provincial offence…
Please take note that I am a canoeist not a lawyer. You should seek professional legal advices from qualified sources if needed.