Quebec’s Charlevoix region left scrambling after labour dispute closes ski resort

The sudden closure of a major ski resort because of a labour dispute has thrown Quebec's Charlevoix region into uncertainty threatening winter-season revenues for local businesses.

The sudden closure of a major ski resort because of a labour dispute has thrown Quebec’s Charlevoix region into uncertainty, threatening winter-season revenues for local businesses.

“Ninety-nine per cent of our revenue here comes from tourism,” said Serge Bilodeau, mayor of Petite-Rivière-St-François, the village at the base of Le Massif de Charlevoix, a renowned ski destination offering views of the wide expanse of the St. Lawrence River.

Le Massif is a major draw for skiers and a key economic engine for the region northeast of Quebec City. “The closure is having an impact on the entire region,” Bilodeau said.

The union representing about 300 workers launched a strike Jan. 2, with wages a main point of contention during negotiations. Le Massif closed that day then partially reopened on Jan.  6 for a few days with limited operations. But after unionized employees rejected a contract and arbitration offer on Jan. 19, the resort cancelled the rest of the ski season.

Bilodeau said accommodation cancellations in Petite-Rivière-St-François began as soon as the resort first shut down on Jan. 2. He added that one-third of the village’s homes are tourist rentals.

“We’ve just mortgaged the winter season for many businesses,” he said.

Local shop owners echoed the concerns. Lison Harrison, co-owner of L’Épicerie du village, a grocery store in Petite-Rivière-St-François, described an unusually quiet town.

“My grocery store is empty, there’s no one on the streets,” she said, noting workers from the mountain are typically regular clients. “Without tourism, it’s a disaster. We don’t know where we stand, we don’t know what we’re going to do, I’m already worrying about food that expires in a few days.”