Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola, September 6, 2026 — Steve Piché, Conservative Party of Québec candidate in Berthier, wants to make the reliability of the Sorel-Tracy–Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola ferry a priority if elected as MNA.
His goal is clear: maintain two vessels as the normal level of service, ensure adequate backup capacity and better protect Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola residents when congestion spills into the municipality.
“Saying we want two vessels is not enough. We need to maintain that level of service reliably and plan for what happens when a vessel must be taken out of service. As MNA, I will ask the government and the Société des traversiers du Québec for a clear, measurable and realistic plan.”
An essential everyday service
The ferry is not just a link for drivers. Many people use it on foot to get to work. During an interruption or major service reduction, some must take their vehicles and make the detour via the Laviolette bridge, significantly lengthening their commute and adding vehicles to the road network.
This reality shows why reliable service and real backup capacity are essential, both for everyday travel and the regional economy.
Congestion: a direct consequence of insufficient capacity
When the ferry operates at reduced capacity or demand exceeds what the service can handle, the vehicle lineup quickly grows in Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola. Drivers sometimes stop in front of residential driveways or block streets, preventing residents from reaching their homes or leaving their area.
A corridor for local traffic already exists. However, it needs clearer signs, better compliance and active traffic management when the situation becomes critical.
“The lineup in Saint-Ignace is the symptom. Insufficient capacity and unreliable service are the cause. Residents should not have to negotiate their way through traffic just to get home or leave their street.”
Four commitments to pursue as MNA
Reliability
Maintain two vessels as the service standard and request a public availability target to minimize periods with only one vessel.
Backup capacity
Ask the Société des traversiers du Québec to demonstrate that its backup plan can cover scheduled maintenance and limit the impact of unexpected breakdowns.
Congestion management
Establish a protocol with the STQ, the municipality and the relevant authorities that is triggered at critical points: respect for the local traffic corridor, access to homes and intersections, active traffic management and better information for drivers.
Transparency
Publish simple indicators on reduced-capacity periods, their causes and restoration times, then examine prolonged vessel downtime and critical parts.
“My role as MNA would not be to manage the ferries myself. It would be to stand up for Berthier residents, obtain answers, follow up on commitments and make sure solutions actually work on the ground.”
An issue I have followed for several years
Steve Piché notes that he had already spoken up on this issue in 2019, when he was president of the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie Berthier–D’Autray, following a major service interruption.
“Two vessels as the normal level of service, real backup capacity, better congestion management and measurable results: that is what I want to pursue as Berthier’s MNA.”
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