The crew of the Svanoy, the ship that provides the crossing between Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive and L'Isle-aux-Coudres in Charlevoix, communicates largely in English.

• Read also - Traverse de L'Isle-aux-Coudres: the agreement is signed, the strike falls through

The service during the fifteen-minute journey is therefore mainly in English. If the opinion of users is divided, for those who spoke with TVA Nouvelles, the most important thing is that safety on board is ensured.

For its part, the Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) defends itself and mentions all the same that there is a portion of the employees who speak French on the boat in the event of an incident.

Labor shortage

The STQ affirms that the mixed crew was the solution to overcome the shortage of manpower.

“Recruitment is a daily concern in each of our sleepers. We had to make sure that Isle-aux-Coudres had two ships this summer. This is why we did business with an external firm and we therefore have a mixed crew on board, ”explained the communications advisor to the Société des traversiers du Québec, Bruno Verreault.

The latter also indicated that there should be a member of the crew who speaks French at each crossing.

“Quebecers have the right to work and receive services in our official and common language, French. The Ministry of the French Language is in the process of making the necessary checks, ”assured the office of the Minister of the French Language Simon Jolin-Barrette.