They lost access to their chalet due to forestry work

A couple in their 60s from Saguenay have been unable to access their chalet for almost a month due to forestry work. The couple deplores that the road leading there has been completely destroyed by machines.

The path that Henri Paul and Chantal took for 14 years to reach their second home is no longer what it used to be, this is what they noticed when they tried to reach their chalet for the first time on May 22.

“It was not acceptable, not even by four-wheel drive cars, nor on foot. We turned around and went down to the checkpoint. When I reached the checkpoint, I met the head of the Elections Commission and told him the facts. He replied that ten (chalets) were suffering from the same problem as us. He suggested that I go and see a forester. Betty Paris at his office in Saint-Lodger-de-Millot. “I went to. They sent me a picture of the area they were going to burn. When I told them they had blocked my path, they said they didn't know there was a hut there,” says Henri-Paul Lépine, co-owner of the chalet “That, and we'll get back on track. You have priority.”

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It's still not complete

A month later, repairs have been made but the track is still in disrepair.

“Last week we went on foot. We traveled by truck 0.9 km. We have about 2.5 km to go to the chalet, and it was not done. It was mush. We don’t care if they collect firewood. “But at least they could have left our path as it was,” he said. His partner, Chantal Saint-Gillet, follows.

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The couple says they fear for their safety

“The track is inaccessible on this mud, when it's wet out there. There's no trailer going up there either. What if I have to get out quickly because of a forest fire or illness? My wife has a heart condition and I lose my independence,” Mr. Lepine said. “I ask them if they would like to be in my position.”

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Current steps

ZEC leaders stress that they are not responsible for this situation. The forest cooperative confirms that it complies with standards and says it is continuing its work to restore the trail to good condition. It says it is respecting deadlines that could extend until mid-July.

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“When I asked if there was compensation, I was told: Why?” I would like to obtain a loss of use access to my chalet. Maintenance on my chalet has not been done yet. We are now in June. I just lost a month, and if this continues, I'll lose another half of July.

The Ministry has not yet responded to our interview request. As for those in their sixties, they are still waiting for answers and intend to take legal action.

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