Paul's Boat Lines owner feels cast aside by Parks Canada

Ottawa sightseeing company Paul's Boat Lines won't be operating on the Rideau Canal this year for the first time since it began offering tours along the waterway in 1949, after the owner says Parks Canada rejected his request for a long-term lease.

Company president Dan Duhamel, whose father Paul Duhamel first launched the company in 1936, told Robyn Bresnahan on Ottawa Morning Thursday Parks Canada would only offer him at most a two-year contract.

"We said no because we really weren't part of the vision and I wouldn't be able to recoup the training costs for the captains needed. I'd need years down the road to recoup that money, so it was a financial decision," says Duhamel.

Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq, the minister responsible for Parks Canada, unveiled some hint of the vision for the canal when on Mar. 25 she announced a request for proposals from businesses "interested in establishing new and innovative services on the Rideau Canal National Historic Site."

Parks Canada is seeking proposals for "multiple integrated services that will attract visitors to the canal year round, respecting and building upon the canal's unique UNESCO World Heritage designation, while complementing and connecting with Ottawa's many nearby attractions."

Bids must pay minimum annual fee of $75K

The proposals will be for services from the Ottawa locks south to the Hartwells Lockstation.

Successful bidders must pay Parks Canada a minimum a fee of $75,000 a year or six per cent of gross revenues, whichever is greater, according to the request for proposal.

Duhamel said the RFP seems tailored to a larger company than his.

He said while he was paying Parks Canada "quite a bit," it was less than half the minimum requirement of the bid.

Duhamel says he intends to keep running tours along the Ottawa River this summer.

Parks Canada looking for 'variety of experiences'

Carol Sheedy, the vice-president for Parks Canada, said Parks Canada is looking for proposals that can bring a variety of experiences to the canal.

"Mr. Duhamel's offer with Paul's Boat Lines is a traditional offer that is very valid, but we wanted to have proponents who would come forward with more than one offer, and he was basically coming in with a single offer of the traditional boat tour," said Sheedy.

"It's a traditional offer that still generates some interest, but we were looking at attracting new audiences, as well as offering many, many experiences so that people would stay longer."

Sheedy says whatever proposal comes forward has to respect both the culture and environment that define the canal.

• You can hear more of his interview with Robyn Bresnahan here.