The Oka-Hudson Ferry is a summer staple for tourists, cyclists and commuters, but months into the season, the service remains docked as challenges pile up for the owner. When Philippe Daignault took over the ferry in 2024, he found himself spending more time in the engine room than on the water. From replacing engines to repairing the hull, Daignault says the work never stops. He says the ferry connecting the Quebec municipalities of Oka and Hudson carries hundreds of thousands of passengers every year. It normally starts running in May, but a series of mechanical problems and administrative hurdles have kept it tied up at the dock. “Today it would be full,” he said on Tuesday. “I lose May, June, [and] July.” The crossing takes less than ten minutes, carrying not only cars across the river, but also many cyclists and pedestrians. “I’m so sorry about those people who can not just ride their bike or motorcycle,” said Daignault. “They cannot do that this summer. People who work, they have to make a turnaround with their family. They spend money on gas.” Despite the setbacks, however, Daignault is focused on the future. He says the changes will make the service better than ever. He says a new engine means the ferry runs around 30 per cent faster, cutting the crossing to around six minutes. Daignault hopes to welcome passengers back by late July, at first, with only one boat running and a limited schedule. After months of delays, he says the goal isn’t just to reopen. “Sometimes you have to take two or three feet back to go better in the future,” said Daignault.
